May 15 and 16, 2026, Zootown Arts Commuity Center, Missoula, Montana
Beast Your Biz! is an exciting business conference happening in Missoula, Montana on May 15 and 16, 2026. The agenda for Saturday features captivating 45-minute sessions presented by various speakers, along with panel discussions, each followed by a 15-minute Q&A segment. There will also be 30-minute breaks for attendees to process the information and network with one another. Don’t miss this opportunity for education and valuable insights
Meet like-minded entrepreneurs and exchange contact information to stay in touch for future support.
1We gather experts in a wide range of local and regional fields to bring a wide range of topics to the table.
3It isn't just what you know; it's also about who you know. Connect with the best of the best.
2We create a fun, casual and interactive environment so you can feel comfortable and relaxed.
4VP of Strategic Operations at Biz to Biz Now
Tami is a dedicated wife and mother who has always strived to create a life filled with love, strength, and growth. Her journey has taken her through various roles, from business ownership to business development, strategy, and operations, where she has honed her skills in leadership and empowering others. As a John Maxwell-certified speaker, trainer, and coach, she shares her knowledge and experience to help others unlock their full potential.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tami is also a suicide survivor and an advocate for suicide prevention. Her personal experiences have shaped her into a resilient and compassionate individual, deepening her commitment to mental health awareness and the power of hope.
As the Vice President of Strategic Operations at Biz to Biz Now, Tami is dedicated to making a positive impact on the small business community by fostering growth and inspiring others to overcome their own challenges. With a thoughtful and purpose-driven approach, she continues to influence both her professional and personal circles, creating lasting change.
CEO/Founder, Speaker and Life Mastery Consultant of Anam Cuspoir
As a certified Life Mastery Consultant with the Brave Thinking Institute and a Transcendance Facilitator, Kelly McCool is dedicated to empowering individuals who feel stuck or uncertain about their ability to achieve their goals. With a deep passion for personal growth and transformation, Kelly specializes in helping people clarify their vision, accelerate their results, and create lives filled with purpose, passion, and fulfillment.
For 2 years, Kelly has immersed herself in the study and application of transformational success principles. Her unique expertise as a Transcendance Facilitator allows her to guide clients beyond surface-level change, helping them access deeper levels of awareness, healing, and possibility. This powerful approach inspires lasting transformation from the inside out.
Today, as a highly sought-after speaker, trainer, and certified coach, Kelly delivers dynamic workshops and coaching programs that empower clients to break through limitations, unlock their true potential, and achieve extraordinary results in every area of life.
Whether you’re seeking greater clarity, confidence, or your next level of success, Kelly McCool offers proven tools and heartfelt guidance to help you create the results that matter most—so you can truly live a life you love.
Junior Broker - The Miliare Group
Nicole is a local entrepreneur who has gone back to her roots in finance after seeing the financial ruin caused by modern food, "health," and consumerism based systems. After spending the last few years as the director of social services in nursing homes and having to help patients fill out their Medicaid app and forfeit their entire life savings to faceless corporations instead of passing it on to family, she knew there had to be a better way. After spending years pouring through books and vetting different companies, she found one that was the holy grail of finance - and that's the Miliare Group. As a noncaptive agent in a family office, she and her business partners are the amazon of the financial industry. They have everything you need from people - estate lawyers, tax attorneys, CPAs, to real estate and investment advisors - to strategies and vehicles - everything from the securities, insurance, and banking world, all under one roof. No more limitations based on what the boutique institution offers; she and her partners have access to nearly 200 of the top A+ rated companies across the securities, banking, and insurance industries. If she can't help a client with a particular strategy, someone in her office is ready to field the call. She and her partners are able to meet clients wherever they are in life, whether they're 6 months old getting covered with a family's first million dollar baby policy, or 60 years old and finally ready to get serious about retirement, or anywhere in between. She doesn't discriminate based on cash in the bank or total assets, she has an open door policy for anyone who wants unbiased information and a strong plan for their future, and a legacy for their family.
Founder - Stigma Marketing & Development
Paule Patterson III is the founder and lead strategist of Stigma Marketing & Development, a Missoula‑based consultancy that helps mission-driven people and organizations bridge the gap between who they are and how they show up. Rooted in lived experience, strategic discipline, and relational truth-telling, Paule’s work is about aligning vision, systems, and voice.
Under the Stigma umbrella, Paule leads a twofold offering: Marketing Services and Development Services. On the marketing side, he helps clients with websites, branding, content strategy, email systems, digital media, PR/local marketing, and campaigns built from the inside out.
On the development side, he consults and coaches in leadership, operations, team alignment, messaging, system design, and project management—all with an emphasis on making strategy sustainable and rooted in people.
He’s also the creator of Every Human’s Journey™ (EHJ)—a 12‑week framework that blends narrative psychology, CBT‑inspired tools, systems thinking, and relational practices to support internal clarity, team health, and mission coherence. EHJ is being piloted inside organizational cohorts through Stigma.
Paule has worked with nonprofits, therapy practices, tribal enterprises, small businesses, and community groups across Montana and beyond—refining brands, overhauling systems, restoring narrative coherence, and helping teams move from chaos to clarity.
His style is direct and layered. He refuses superficial strategy. He insists on connection. He builds with integrity—so that your marketing isn’t just “visible,” but meaningful.
Founder Tactical Harmony
Rebecca Fitzsimmons is a Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, and Author who helps high-performing professionals and organizations awaken the leader within, defy the ordinary, and operate at peak performance in their careers and beyond.
With over 20 years of global experience, Rebecca’s leadership roots run deep. As a former NCIS Special Agent, she led complex, high-profile criminal investigations in support of the Department of the Navy. Her extensive background includes conducting interrogations, undercover operations, national security and force protection missions, as well as protective service operations for former U.S. Presidents and senior Department of Defense officials.
Rebecca saw first-hand how effective leadership and mindset answered every challenge. Her career taught her that leadership isn’t about rank or title, it’s about self-mastery, adaptability, and presence under pressure.
After serving around the world as a Special Agent and later as a senior leader in the tech sector, Rebecca founded her own business Tactical Harmony, a leadership and mindset platform designed to help individuals and companies redefine success, lead authentically, and achieve extraordinary results.
Through her powerful keynotes, podcast, and coaching programs, Rebecca equips audiences with the mindset and tactical tools to win more, stress less, and lead with courage when it matters most.
Founder - FMC Books
Tara Hamma is the founder and driving force behind FMC Books, Missoula’s first romance-focused independent bookstore. With a career built on community leadership, small business development, and creative entrepreneurship, Tara has long been passionate about creating spaces that bring people together. FMC Books is the culmination of that vision — a brick-and-mortar bookstore that celebrates the power of romance literature to connect, inspire, and empower readers.
Raised with a deep love of storytelling, Tara has always believed in the transformative potential of books. Her professional background spans community programming, nonprofit support, and business management, giving her the skills to bridge the worlds of literature, local enterprise, and cultural engagement. When she founded FMC Books in 2024, initially as an online shop, her goal was to create more than just a retail space. She envisioned a welcoming, vibrant hub where readers could gather, discover new voices, and see themselves as the “main character” in their own stories.
That vision quickly grew into reality. Within months, FMC Books transitioned from a digital storefront to a downtown Missoula location, where Tara has cultivated a distinctive gothic-romance aesthetic — antique frames, roses, moody lighting, and whimsical nods to the “apothecary of stories” she set out to build. The bookstore has since become known not only for its carefully curated collection of romance titles, but also for its dynamic programming. From monthly book clubs and author events to craft nights, flash mobs, and collaborations with local artists, Tara has positioned FMC Books as a community cornerstone.
Her leadership is rooted in both practicality and passion. Tara brings financial acumen and operational expertise to the business, managing everything from payroll and vendor relationships to marketing and event production. At the same time, she remains deeply involved in the creative and cultural side of FMC Books, curating partnerships with local artists, authors, and artisans. She has emphasized living-wage commitments and ethical business practices, ensuring that FMC Books grows sustainably while enriching Missoula’s downtown.
Beyond the walls of the store, Tara is a vocal advocate for the value of independent bookstores and the importance of local cultural spaces. She views FMC Books not only as a shop, but as part of a larger movement to create “third places” — spaces where people feel at home outside of work and family, where community and creativity flourish. Through her leadership, FMC Books has already become a gathering place for readers, writers, and dreamers, and continues to evolve as a reflection of the community it serves.
Looking ahead, Tara remains committed to growing FMC Books into a lasting institution that champions literature, creativity, and connection. With an eye toward expanding programming, supporting emerging artists, and offering readers new ways to experience romance stories, she continues to build on the mission that started it all: helping every visitor feel like the main character in their own unfolding story.
Owner - Jamie Lynn Wellness
Jamie Lynn has worn many hats in the wellness world over the past 25 years: physical therapist assistant, massage therapist, personal trainer, doula, nutrition coach, retreat planner, and self-proclaimed health junkie. But what ties it all together is simple—she has never stopped evolving.
Her career hasn’t been a straight line. It has been a series of intentional pivots as her vision, goals, and values have shifted. Through her own health journey and her work with hundreds of clients, Jamie Lynn has learned that wellness isn’t static. What the body needed at 25 isn’t what it needs at 45. The rules that once worked don’t always apply now.
She has tried things that failed. She has followed plans that didn’t fit. And through all of it, she discovered the most important lesson: deep health isn’t about perfection or following someone else’s blueprint. It’s about creating a sustainable approach that works for your life, your schedule, and your body.
Today, Jamie Lynn dedicates her work to helping midlife women understand that aging isn’t something happening to them—it’s something they can influence. Through mindful movement, whole-food nutrition, sleep prioritization, and real stress management, she empowers women to feel strong, energized, and confident at every stage of life.
She believes the path to wellness begins with one brave step: asking for help. And she is committed to walking alongside women ready to invest in themselves and reclaim their vitality.
Owner - DragonFly406 Training & Consulting
Teresa Nygaard, LBSW, is a dedicated professional with over three decades of experience working with children, families, and communities. As the owner of DragonFly406 Training & Consulting, she serves as a Montana ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Master Trainer and a National Trainer for Nurturing Parenting Programs and Darkness to Light / Stewards of Children. With nearly three decades of experience in fundraising and grant writing, she has successfully secured funding for essential services, equipment, training, and more for nonprofit organizations in Montana and beyond. Her role as a Federal grant reviewer has been pivotal in refining skills, enhancing attention to detail, and ensuring grant applications effectively address funders’ priorities. In addition to fundraising expertise, she brings extensive experience in program administration, board development, and training facilitation. Teresa specializes in offering tailored capacity-building opportunities, including trauma-informed care, leadership development, and customized training programs designed to meet the specific needs of organizations and communities.
FIND THE SOLUtIONS YOU NEED
Learn new things and connect with new people! Learn from the best Missoula has to offer! Ranging from multiple generation business owners, retail and restaurant owners, highly regarded non-profit leaders and more!
Beast Your Biz! is an engaging business conference designed to empower entrepreneurs, business owners, and teams with essential knowledge and networking opportunities. Attendees will participate in dynamic 45-minute sessions featuring expert speakers and panel discussions, allowing for in-depth exploration of relevant topics. Each session will include a Q&A period, enabling participants to gain insights directly from industry leaders. Additionally, strategically placed networking breaks will facilitate meaningful connections among attendees, creating a collaborative atmosphere for learning and the exchange of innovative ideas. This event promises to be both educational and inspiring, making it an unmissable opportunity for anyone looking to enhance their business acumen.
An informal time to meet with speakers, panelists and fellow attendees to build professional relationships and create relevant contacts that can help you achieve your long-term professional goals. Light appetizers and a no-host bar will be available.
Check-in at the door begins. You can also purchase tickets at the door (if available). Please be seated before 9:30am. Morning refreshments will be available.
In today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world, uncertainty isn’t the exception—it’s the norm. Leaders are under more pressure than ever, juggling limited resources, rapid change, and constant disruption. Traditional leadership approaches often fall short in these conditions, leaving teams frustrated, disengaged, and unsure of their direction.
In this powerful keynote, Rebecca Fitzsimmons draws on 20 years of real-world leadership experience—from executing high-risk missions as an NCIS Special Agent to navigating transformation in the tech industry. She shares battle-tested strategies and firsthand stories that show how to turn chaos into clarity, pressure into performance, and fear into fuel.
Participants will leave with practical tools to adapt quickly, lead with confidence, and create stability amid uncertainty—giving their organizations an immediate and lasting advantage.
This isn’t just a keynote—it’s a mission-ready mindset shift.
Attendees will walk away ready to:
Rebecca Fitzsimmons
Successful businesses aren’t built on hustle alone—they’re built on systems, boundaries, and sustainable workflows. This panel explores how to streamline your operations, protect your time, delegate effectively, and build a business that supports your life (not the other way around). Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or ready to optimize.
Nicole Henningfeld
Lunch catered by Biga Pizza
Marketing and sales bring opportunity—but profit is created through strategy.
This panel explores the full revenue cycle: how to increase visibility, communicate value, close sales with confidence, and make financial decisions that keep your business healthy and scalable.
Panelists will break down:
Attendees will walk away with practical tools to grow their audience, improve their sales process, and make informed financial decisions that directly impact their bottom line.
Paule Patterson
In a world where demands shift quickly and clarity is hard to find, most professionals end up reacting to challenges instead of intentionally creating the results they want. Without a clear vision, even high performers can feel stretched thin, unfocused, or stuck.
This session reveals how vision, mindset, and decision-making work together to drive measurable results—no matter your role or industry. You’ll learn the three core keys that consistently elevate performance: crafting a compelling vision, making empowered decisions, and removing the internal barriers that limit progress.
Participants will leave with actionable tools they can apply immediately to improve focus, spark innovation, and create meaningful, sustainable success.
Attendees will walk away ready to:
Kelly McCool
A dynamic conversation with women who have stepped into leadership roles and reshaped what success can look like. Panelists will discuss navigating bias, leading with confidence, managing teams, balancing personal and professional expectations, and finding your voice in male-dominated spaces. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies for advancing their leadership journey—no matter where they’re starting.
Jamie Lynn
Tara Hamma
Teresa Nygaard
