Venture Boldly

Hosted by Jennifer Cronk

Business Entrepreneurship

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

A podcast from The Discover Kalispell Chamber about the initiatives, programs, people, news and businesses you need to know about in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

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60 recent

June 8, 2026Episode 7828 min

Raised on Freedom - Rooted in Montana's Best: the 2026 NWMT Fair & Rodeo

Send us your feedback!The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is back for 2026, and summer in the Flathead is about to get a whole lot louder. In this episode, we sit down with Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Sam Nunnally and Event Sponsorship Coordinator Kelsi Hansberry to preview everything coming to this year’s fair—from Walker Hayes, rodeo action, and carnival favorites to new attractions like pig races, a petting zoo, and pony rides.We also discuss major fairgrounds improvements, how the team hosts nearly 750 events and 250,000 visitors each year, and why buying tickets directly from the fair is the best way to avoid scams and extra fees.Whether you're a longtime fairgoer or planning your first visit, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Northwest Montana’s biggest summer traditions.Link: www.nwmtfair.com Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

May 18, 2026Episode 7731 min

Glacier Range Riders: Building More than a Baseball Team

Send us your feedback!The Glacier Range Riders and Glacier Bank Park have, in a few short years, become an integral part of the Flathead Valley's sports and recreation scene. Glacier Bank Park is a pro ballpark, built fast, built right, and built Montana — with locally sourced materials, authentic Flathead Valley food, and a design that makes visitors feel like they're somewhere, not just anywhere. Now it's drawing national recognition and becoming the kind of place families build traditions around. Brenden Craig sits down with Scot Gladstone and Patrick "PK" Kelly of the Glacier Range Riders for a conversation that's equal parts origin story, community playbook, and vision for Kalispell and the Flathead.You'll hear:How a Pioneer League team got built from scratch — the timeline will surprise youWhy private funding matters and what it signals about this organization's independence and ambitionThe Range Riders Foundation and how partnerships with schools, veterans groups, first responders, and nonprofits are turning a ballpark into a genuine community assetThe career pipeline no one talks about — seasonal jobs and internships that launch real careers in broadcasting, hospitality, and sports operationsWhat it means when your players make it to the MLB — and why that credibility ripples back to the valleyThis is a baseball story, and a story about what a community decides to become, and the people bold enough to build it.Learn more about the Glacier Range Riders at: www.gorangeriders.com🎙️ Subscribe to Venture Boldly. Share this one with someone who loves the Flathead Valley. And tell us your favorite ballpark memory in a review.Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

May 4, 2026Episode 7628 min

The Case for Agritourism in Montana with Mike Sullivan of Longview Lavender Farm

Send us your feedback!Mike Sullivan planted lavender in Northwest Montana and lost it all. Twice. What kept him going is a story about more than farming.At Longview Lavender Farm in the Flathead Valley, Mike turned a stubborn specialty crop into a thriving agritourism business, one that creates local jobs and keeps farmland open. We talk about how he cracked the code on Montana's soil and climate, why direct-to-consumer beats commodity farming, and how lavender becomes everything from essential oils to fire starters.But the bigger conversation is about land. The conversation widens to land use and community impact: growth pressures, zoning, and why agritourism can help smaller farms compete when farmland prices make commodity agriculture harder to justify.If you care about sustainable agriculture, rural economies, or what it takes to keep agriculture part of the Flathead Valley’s identity, this podcast is for you. Longview Lavender Farm | Pure Essential Lavender Oil Products | United StatesFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

April 20, 2026Episode 7532 min

Child Care Center Business Insights with Corinne Kuntz, The Birds Nest Early Learning Village

Send us your feedback!Infant child care is one of the biggest hidden barriers to workforce participation—and one of the hardest services to sustain. In this episode, Corinne Kuntz of Bird’s Nest Early Learning Village shares her transition from in-home care to a purpose-built center and what it reveals about the real challenges facing child care in the Flathead.We break down the numbers behind the model—why infant care often operates at a loss, how programs stay viable, and what shifting policies mean for providers and families. Corinne also offers practical insight on expansion, staffing, and building trust with parents, along with strategies like summer programs and youth internships that support working families and strengthen the future workforce.The Birds Nest Early Learning Village in Kalispell MontanaFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

April 6, 2026Episode 7435 min

Entrepreneurship in the Flathead: Wachholz Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with Eric Harry

Send us your feedback!In this episode, we sit down with Eric Harry of the Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Flathead Valley Community College to tackle a key question: how do we help founders build and stay in Northwest Montana?Eric shares insights from his work in global entrepreneurship and local startup development, highlighting what actually moves the needle—strong mentorship, real connections, and a community that shows up. We discuss the “missing middle” in business growth, why talent leaves, and how initiatives like Brew & Build are creating a more connected, founder-focused ecosystem.If you care about workforce, innovation, or the future of the Flathead Valley, this conversation offers practical takeaways and a clear path forward.Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

March 23, 2026Episode 7329 min

Downtown Kalispell Forward: A New Chapter for Kalispell’s Core

Send us your feedback!Downtown Kalispell is evolving quickly, and community leaders are working to ensure that growth happens with intention. In this episode, Brenden Craig of First Interstate Bank sits down with Lorraine Clarno, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber, and Gabe Mariman of Bias Brewing to discuss Downtown Kalispell Forward—a new alignment that brings the Kalispell Downtown Association under the Chamber. The conversation explains why this change matters now and how it creates a clearer, more coordinated voice for downtown businesses and partners.The discussion also explores what the merger means in practical terms for Main Street. From simplifying dues and reducing administrative overlap to strengthening event support and advocacy, the goal is a more efficient structure that helps downtown thrive. The group also looks ahead to the next 12–18 months, discussing how stronger collaboration can support business vitality, tourism, and talent attraction while shaping a vibrant, active downtown for residents and visitors alike.Downtown Forward - Kalispell ChamberFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

March 9, 2026Episode 7230 min

Smart Growth, Strong Community: Inside Kalispell’s Next Chapter with City Manager, Jarod Nygren

Send us your feedback!Kalispell is growing, and the decisions we make now will shape the next decade. In this episode, City Manager Jarod Nygren breaks down how the city is planning for infrastructure, housing, and downtown vitality to stay ahead of that growth. We discuss long-range planning, permitting timelines, and how clear policies create predictability for residents, businesses, and investors.We also explore attainable homeownership options, workforce stability, and the role of parks, trails, and Main Street improvements in preserving community character. If you want a clear look at where Kalispell is headed—and how growth can be managed thoughtfully—this conversation is worth your time.City of Kalispell: Kalispell, MT | Official WebsiteFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

February 24, 2026Episode 7327 min

Growing Roots Early Learning Center: A Conversation with Center Director, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy

Send us your feedback!Childcare is essential workforce infrastructure. In this episode, Leigh Ann Downie-Economy, Director of Growing Roots Early Learning Center in Kalispell, shares what it takes to create a high-quality early learning center—from facility upgrades and safety requirements to hiring and retaining strong educators.We discuss how ARPA funding supported launch and expansion, the real cost of care, and where demand is highest in the Flathead Valley—especially for infants, toddlers, and after-school programs. This conversation offers practical insight for families, employers, and community leaders navigating today’s childcare landscape.Growing Roots Early Learning CenterImmanuel LivingBest BeginningsFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

February 10, 2026Episode 7029 min

Kalispell Education Foundation: Community Support, Classroom Impact

Send us your feedback!Public funding covers the basics in Montana schools, but targeted donations drive innovation. In this episode, Dorothy Drury of the Kalispell Education Foundation shares how Montana school funding really works and how the KEF's fast, teacher-driven grants are turning small dollars into real classroom impact. She shares the growth of the foundation’s impact—from under $10,000 serving about 1,000 students to roughly $50,000 reaching more than 5,600 students. Many grants fund durable tools that benefit students for years.Community partnerships make this possible, including strong local bank support and a $25,000 Applied Materials gift launching a STEM fund for larger workforce-aligned projects. Listeners can help by staying informed on levies, donating to the foundation or STEM fund, and giving through matching campaigns to multiply impact. Tune in to learn more about the difference that the Kalispell Education Foundation makes in Kalispell Public Schools. Links:Kalispell Education FoundationThank you to our podcast sponsors, First Interstate Bank, Weyerhaeuser, and Nomad GCS for helping make this podcast possible. Follow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com

December 22, 2025Episode 6927 min

2025 Business Person of the Year: Mark Johnson

Send us your feedback!A bitter cold snap can turn the grid into a high-wire act, and few people understand those stakes like Mark Johnson, CEO and General Manager of Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) and the 2025 Kalispell Chamber Business Person of the Year. Mark's 25+ years at FEC brings decades of steady leadership to keeping power reliable and rates stable as the Flathead Valley grows. In this conversation, he explains the role of hydropower, the limits of transmission, and how long-term planning and a service-first mindset support affordable, dependable electricity.Beyond the grid, Mark is deeply committed to community service, with long-standing volunteer leadership roles that reflect the cooperative model in action. He shares lessons from guiding organizations through challenging times, including Flathead Electric’s four-year rate freeze during COVID. The discussion also looks ahead to wildfire mitigation, grid modernization, and the need for meaningful local generation, offering practical insight into how thoughtful leadership and community engagement will shape the region’s energy future.Flathead Electric Cooperative: Home - Flathead Electric CooperativeFollow the Discover Kalispell Chamber on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @kalispellchamber.© Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved. 406.758.2800 | info@kalispellchamber.com