Montana

Split Mountain Metals

Location: Belgrade, Montana
Website: https://www.splitmountainmetals.com/
2,000 clicks from Google Ads

Growing up on a family farm in northern Montana, Brad Brenteson got used to working with metal and repairing machines. He developed that interest working in a family friend’s machine shop during high school, and vocational school for machining and welding helped him hone his skills. After fixing the school’s old CNC plasma table, a precision metal cutter, he started creating signs. He made his first one for his soon-to-be wife, Carley, whose passion for art and design led the two to start a side business making custom signs and railings, which they sold at farmers markets. In 2014, Brad landed his first big home architectural project and founded Split Mountain Metals. They added to their inventory, making everything from gates to weather vanes. “People would come in and ask if we could make something. It was always like, ‘Yeah, we’ll figure it out,’” Brad says. “That really expanded the types of products we offered.”

The company’s Google Business Profile has a 5-star rating, and Brad says it’s a natural fit for their custom designs: “Our products are incredibly visual, so being able to host pictures and have people see reviews–it’s probably benefited our business more than any other Google product.” He uses Google Workspace and appreciates how it fuels fast collaboration for customer presentations. “I have amassed a Google Sheets empire,” he laughs. Google Ads help him acquire customers; he shares that one current ad has received 250,000 impressions and 2,000 clicks. Brad also uses YouTube for product videos and employee training videos, like how to operate the laser, noting, “It’s super easy to host videos.” As Split Mountain Metals continues to expand, Brad’s farm background comes in handy as a business owner. “I inherited a specific set of work ethic and problem-solving skills,” he says. “That’s probably the biggest single thing that’s let us grow the way we have.”

La Cuisine

Location: Bozeman, Montana
Website: https://lacuisine-bozeman.com/
30% growth when using Google Ads

Tina Cusker, owner of boutique kitchen store La Cuisine, is an expert at creating community around tables. Her husband Brett was active duty Air Force for 25 years, and they regularly broke bread with friends and neighbors as they traveled and lived around the world. When they settled back in Bozeman, a fast-growing university and ski town in their home state of Montana, Tina saw the chance to combine her passion for cooking and entertaining with her background as an educator. In 2021, she and Brett opened La Cuisine, a retail store and culinary classroom that partners with local artisans, chefs, caterers, and restaurants for weekly cooking classes. “We want families to sit across from each other, eat together, share about their day–live life together at the dinner table,” she says. “When people come to my classes that haven't met each other before, and walk away good friends, that's special to me. It means we're building community amongst our customers as well.”

Getting customers in her door and in front of products is always important, and Tina says digital tools have helped since day one. She had more than 2 million ad impressions in a single quarter and saw 30 percent growth after using Google Ads. She says her strong Google Ads and Business Profile helps her to reach new locals: “A lot of our customers are building second homes, so they arrived without anything for their kitchen. They searched for ‘local kitchen store’ and they found us and what we have to offer.” Tina updates her Business Profile regularly with store hours and seasonal photos. She’s also expanding to offer curation services to help people create their dream kitchens, and gives back to her community by hosting networking dinners for fellow local businesses, and free classes for military families as a way to honor their service. “It’s as simple as inviting others to your table,” she says.

Chalet Market of Montana

Location: Belgrade, Montana
Website: https://chaletmarket.com/
20% increase in online sales in the past year

Mark and Gwen Croghan are the fifth owners of the long-running Chalet Market of Montana, a deli and gift shop carrying specialties like elk or buffalo sausage and jerky, made in-house. Beloved fans of the market’s great food, the couple bought it 11 years ago with the goal of growing the business while still preserving its legacy and charm. They serve customers both locally and online–from construction workers grabbing breakfast sandwiches and skiers from nearby Big Sky Resort looking for edible souvenirs, to shoppers ordering goodies from all 50 states. This includes many recurring orders for their popular gift boxes, around 5,000 of which sell during a typical holiday season. Google Ads brings in leads and sales that bolster their online success. “It’s awesome when we can sell more online and I didn’t have to hire anyone extra to make that happen,” says Gwen. The Chalet Market’s internet sales increased 20 percent from 2021 to 2022.

With great skiing and a great community, the Belgrade area has been growing in recent years. Demand for the Chalet Market’s products is high, and Mark and Gwen are committed to keeping up despite challenges like a tough labor market. They appreciate having many “tentacles” of the business, as Mark puts it, so they can always pivot their focus to what they can handle at that moment and ultimately keep their doors open seven days a week. They know many customers by name, but everyday more first-timers come to the store after seeing pictures and the great reviews on their Google Business Profile. “I've had people walk over from the hotel next door who say, ‘Oh, I saw that sandwich you posted’ and then buy it just because of that,” Gwen shares. Mark and Gwen are proud to give back to their state and are asked on a weekly basis to donate gift boxes–and they always say yes. Says Mark, “Montana's just a really easy place to enjoy living in.”

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch

Location: Gallatin Gateway, Montana
Website: https://www.ninequartercircle.com/
30% revenue increase YoY

Nine Quarter Circle Ranch has deep roots in Montana’s rugged wilderness. Founded by Howard Kelsey in 1946, the guest ranch is now run by a third generation of the family, since grandson Kameron and his wife, Sally, took the reins from Kameron’s parents in 2019. “It’s rare to have multiple generations of a family own a business these days,” Sally points out. “Everything about the experience is steeped in tradition.” The ranch offers horseback riding, fly fishing, and a dining experience with a sense of community–along with the chance to explore wide-open spaces. Even the ranch’s 120 Appaloosa horses carry on tradition: Howard introduced the breed to the ranch in homage to the Nez Perce, who bred Appaloosas for their stamina and sure-footedness.

While guests are busy enjoying the low-tech lifestyle, the Kelseys use a high-tech approach behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. They use Google Ads to find new customers, gaining more qualified leads and a higher conversion rate than they see from other sources. The couple also collaborates daily using Google Workspace. “We’re always on the move,” Sally says, “so to be able to log in from anywhere and access or change information is really helpful. Using Google Docs and Sheets to manage inventories or reservations lets us have the most up-to-date information regardless of where we are.” With guests coming from all over the U.S. and abroad, and 30 percent year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth, the Kelseys stay plenty busy. But watching the ranch transform those guests keeps them grounded. “Families get to reconnect here, hearing the creek, watching the night sky and the wildlife,” Kameron says. “More people should spend more time in nature. It's good medicine.”

VIM & VIGR

Location: Missoula, Montana
Website: https://vimvigr.com/
8 employees

Michelle Huie’s sales job left her nursing achy legs at night. On a recommendation, she tried compression socks—and they changed her life. Michelle started thinking about the many uses for compression socks: long flights, medical conditions, and standing for work. But when she realized the limited colors or styles available, Michelle set out to make fashion-forward,  medically-sound compression socks. VIM & VIGR was born and has since seen 100-percent growth every year, thanks in part to their use of Google products. In 2020, Google Ads accounted for roughly 20 percent of their sales, and Google Analytics helped them understand their audience so they could refine the content, navigation, and structure of their site to increase conversions.

When COVID-19 hit, VIM & VIGR’s revenue shifted from 60-percent brick-and-mortar retail to nearly 80- percent e-commerce, selling directly to customers. This new normal has helped them better understand their community, product performance, and what customers love about the brand. Using Google Ads and Analytics, Michelle tracks which products and site pages are performing well and adjusts accordingly as trends and behaviors change. And with increasing sales in 2020, Michelle wanted to give back to the healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Through their “Buy a Sock, Give a Sock “ program, VIM & VIGR donated close to $140,000 worth of socks to about 77 hospitals, using Google Forms to facilitate the donation process. It’s no surprise that Michelle is excited about business looking forward—after all, VIM & VIGR now has a closer relationship with their customers thanks to a direct-to-consumer model and added insights from Google Ads, Analytics, and other channels, like YouTube. “Hearing directly from our customers during this time has allowed us to create a better product and brand that serves—and connects with—our community more effectively,” says Michelle.

Alpacas of Montana

Location: Bozeman, Montana
Website: alpacasofmontana.com
6 employees

They say good things come in threes. And it was three very clear signs that led husband-and-wife team James and Sarah Budd to switch careers and open an Alpaca farm and textile manufacturing company. More than a decade ago, James was working in surgery and Sarah in manufacturing. They wanted to launch their own business, and then a single day changed everything. First, James saw a flyer advertising an alpaca farm. Later that afternoon, he stumbled across an article about how lucrative alpaca farming could be. That evening, James’ sister mailed the Budds information about an open house at a nearby alpaca farm. The signs were too much to ignore, and the Budds decided to start Alpacas of Montana. They’ve been raising and selling alpacas ever since. The business grew to include multiple brick-and-mortar locations, but after seeing success online, they decided to switch and go 100% digital.

At first, they struggled to create a successful marketing strategy. That’s when they turned to Google. “Our product sells well, but it has to be in front of the right people. The wonderful thing about Google Ads is we can see what, where, when, how much, and how often people are searching,” said James. In addition to Google Ads, the Budds use Google Analytics to keep track of their target markets and where to expand. “With Google Analytics I can see exactly where our budget is going and if it needs to be redirected. I can turn off blanket advertising and spend money on specific advertising instead,” Sarah emphasized.

Last year, Alpacas of Montana served nearly 10,000 first-time customers alone. With Google Ads, the company saw a 318% return on investment in January 2018 (well over its 250% goal). “Google contributes to about 32% of our sales, which is essential,” said Sarah. “I don’t think we would be in business without this combination of tools from Google.” Despite its impressive growth, the company remains connected to its local community and is making strides to provide jobs in the area. “A select variety of our products are handmade in Bozeman by families who knit for us,” said James. “We’re also working closely with the Crow Indian Reservation to set up our product lines there and create jobs.” In the future, the Budds will continue to expand international sales and aim to produce bolts of alpaca fabric for their designers to utilize. “We’re really excited about this next phase of our growth and how Google is going to fit in,” said James. “There’s no way we could run our company or promote our products without Google.”

Montana Silversmiths

Location: Columbus, Montana
Website: www.montanasilversmiths.com
175 employees

The most beautiful thing about Montana may be the scenery, but Montana Silversmiths’ jewelry sure gives it a run for its money. Founded in 1973, Montana Silversmiths established itself as the premier supplier of championship belt buckles for Western competitions such as rodeos and bull riding. The company quickly expanded its product lines to include jewelry and custom awards, the majority of which are designed and manufactured right in Montana. “We started as a little mom-and-pop shop,” CEO Steve Muellner says proudly. “We’re now the largest manufacturer of Western jewelry in America.” From saddle trims to earrings, Montana Silversmiths brings the shine of the West to customers everywhere.

Montana Silversmiths counts on the power of the Internet to share their precious handiwork beyond the Beartooth Mountains. They use AdWords, Google’s advertising program, to reach customers all across North America who are looking to buy Western or silver jewelry. They trust Google Analytics to track which products are performing best and which areas of their e-commerce website could be improved. “If only all parts of my business were as measurable as the things I do with Google,” Steve says, “it would be terrific!” Their Google My Business listings share store locations, hours, and directions with local shoppers, keeping foot traffic coming through their doors. And their digital storefront entices and engages visitors with an alluring taste of Western style.

There’s no tarnish on Montana Silversmiths’ future. They operate four brick-and-mortar retail stores, including two in Montana. Their custom-made products are available in over 3,500 stores across North America, and their e-commerce website fulfills 36,500 online orders each year. Born from humble beginnings, Montana Silversmiths now enjoys steady double-digit annual sales growth. But for Steve, the most valuable jewel of all is preserving the glory of his Old West community for the next generation. “We want to continue to celebrate the West for as long as we can,” he says. “I watch the new people join us at Montana Silversmiths and then eventually shift from being the students to the teachers. Those are the moments that make me never want to retire.”

The Natural Baby Company

Location: Bozeman, Montana
Website: www.thenaturalbabyco.com
15 employees

When Kim Ormsby was pregnant with her second child, she realized how difficult it was to shop for organic baby products. “There was no physical place to buy cloth diapers or wooden toys, and even online stores were pretty nonexistent,” she recalls. Kim launched The Natural Baby Company out of her home on Earth Day 2003 to fill this need for eco-friendly parenting goods. “From there, we just grew,” she remarks. “We went from packing orders in my kitchen to moving into a warehouse.” Today, the company has a robust online store, runs a storefront in Bozeman, wholesales to over 300 retailers worldwide, and manufactures their own cloth diaper line called GroVia. And now as a mother of seven, Kim continues to only sell products she can personally vouch for. “If I can’t speak to the quality and usefulness of the product, we don’t carry it.”

From the beginning, Kim has used the Internet to connect with like-minded parents. “The web is pretty much where all of our growth is happening,” she says. The company earns most of their revenue via online sales, which has averaged 32 percent annual growth over the past three years. They use AdWords, Google’s advertising program, to attract customers around the world to their virtual storefront. Google Analytics helps them optimize their online marketing campaigns. And through YouTube, they share product demonstrations and reviews with a global audience. Overall, they’ve found Google tools to be, as Kim describes, “extremely beneficial to our e-commerce operation,” and e-commerce is a boon for their customers. “New parents aren’t dragging their kids out to shop. If they’re home rocking the baby to sleep, they’d rather shop online.”

The Natural Baby Company has grown to be more than just a store. “We’re a resource within the community,” Kim explains. They offer car seat certification at their Bozeman location to make sure parents know how to safely secure their babies. They donate cloth diapers to families who can’t afford them through their GroVia Gives program. They also lead fundraising efforts for those in their community, either locally or online, who are in need of support. And as they continue to grow, Kim hopes to provide even more services and programs that contribute to families. For her, it is and will always be about “being a part of everyone’s parenting journey.”

Gecko Designs

Location: Missoula, Montana
Website: www.geckodesigns.com
10 employees

Gabe Silverman always had an entrepreneur's spirit, especially when it came to the new digital frontier. At just 16, he started a business designing websites out of his parents' bedroom. “The Internet was just starting to become a thing people had, so I started making web pages for different companies around town,” he says. But as word got around that Gabe and his newly founded business, Gecko Designs, were doing top-quality work, the Missoula native saw his small business dream take off. “Now we have clients from around the country. We're doing really well, and it’s exciting.” More than two decades later, Gecko Designs is showing the world why Missoula is one of the best addresses on the web.

Gabe uses a variety of Google tools to connect with clients and run the business. AdWords, Google’s advertising program, drives potential leads to their website. Google Apps for Work allows for easy collaboration within the company. YouTube hosts their dynamic and engaging informational videos. Gabe especially makes the most of the insights he gains from Google Analytics. “Without Analytics, you're flying blind. We see where our traffic is coming from, what people are searching for, and how much time they spend on the site. That data is absolutely critical.” And their Google My Business listing helps them to make a great first impression by showcasing reviews from clients.

Today, Gecko Designs averages about 20% annual growth, with no signs of slowing down. What matters most to Gabe, though, is helping to create his own budding Silicon Valley in Montana. “We are bringing out-of-state money into our local economy, which is really important,” he says. “This business started a mile down the road when I was in high school and now we have a staff of ten in a downtown building we own. That’s pretty cool.”