May 20-21 @ Zootown Arts Community Center
Arrive with Questions and Leave with Answers!
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WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US? Learn. Share. Teach. Meet.
Learn from Great Speakers
Learn from the best Missoula has to offer! Ranging from multiple generation business owners, retail and restaurant owners and highly regarded non-profit leaders!
Make New Connections
It's about who you know and what you know that matters! Make valuable connections with fellow attendees as well as personal time with presenters and speakers!
Have Fun and Network
We don't believe in stuffy classroom learning. We want you to have fun while networking so we chose was of the most fun and creative locations in Missoula!
MEET OUR TALENTED Speakers and Panelists
Danni Moore
Realtor with Engel & Volkers in Missoula
Danni Moore
Realtor with Engel & Volkers in Missoula
A second generation realtor and graduate of the University of Montana, Danni brings to real estate seven years of experience in the hospitality business along with most recently assisting several top producing agents while expanding her own real estate business.
Transitioning to real estate seemed natural for Danni because of her entrepreneurial spirit, passion for Western Montana and most of all, her natural ability to connect with her clients.
Effectively working with clients with the utmost confidentiality and professionalism reflects in her recent successful transactions with buyers, sellers and investors.
Danni's commitment to her clients and their lifestyle needs, along with her extensive market knowledge and exclusive level of service translate effectively into successful results.
Kia Liszak
Executive Director of Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC)
Kia Liszak
Executive Director of Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC)
Kia Liszak has been the Executive Director of the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) for ten years.
She spearheaded and led the visionary process and multimillion dollar campaign efforts to bring the ZACC downtown and triple its size and ability to build community through accessible arts experiences for all.
She was recognized by the Missoulian in June, 2013, as one of Western Montana's top 20 business leaders under 40 years old to have made a positive impact through exceptional entrepreneurship, leadership, creative vision, innovation and dedication to the community, and recognized by the Missoula Downtown Association in 2019 as the Downtowner of the Year.
She has served as a volunteer on many committees including The Missoula Public Art Committee and on Missoula's Community Arts Team to implement the Kennedy Center’s support of the SPARK arts program. She was able to travel to Thailand and Laos to enrich her work through the YSEALI professional fellows program in 2017 and subsequently invited to participate in the US State Department’s seminar, “Art, Culture, and Transforming Conflict" in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She is extremely passionate about empowering people of all ages through the arts and creative community building.
Susan Hay Patrick
CEO of United Way of Missoula County
Susan Hay Patrick
CEO of United Way of Missoula County
Susan Hay Patrick has served as chief executive officer of United Way of Missoula County since 2006. Under her leadership, United Way directs a number of community-wide collaborations focused on kindergarten readiness and student success, preventing suicide, ending homelessness, reducing substance abuse, improving family health and health equity, preventing catastrophic fire damage in the wildland-urban interface, and strengthening the local nonprofit sector.
Susan’s past experience includes serving as deputy director of Feeding America, one of the nation’s 10-largest nonprofits; working as a lobbyist in Washington, DC; serving as executive director of a national foundation; and operating her own independent consulting business, specializing in nonprofits and small businesses.
Prior to joining the nonprofit sector, she was a reporter for a daily newspaper and a corporate communications writer for a Fortune 500 company.
Susan is a past president of the board of directors of City Club Missoula, and a past president and current member of Missoula Sunrise Rotary. She is also on the boards of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and the Glacier National Park Conservancy. She is a Montana Ambassador, appointed by the governor to serve as an ambassador for economic development in Montana.
In 2015, Susan chaired a citizens’ committee that worked successfully to pass two bonds totaling $158 million – the largest in Montana history – to improve the facilities and technology at all Missoula County Public Schools.
Susan has won local, state and national awards for service, including, in 2019, being named the U.S. winner of the State Department’s Professional Fellows Alumni Impact Award and the Missoula Downtown Association’s “Downtowner of the Year.” She writes and speaks locally, nationally, and internationally on board governance, strategic planning, and leadership.
A Connecticut native, Susan graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English and a double minor in French and Journalism from Castleton University in Vermont.
Amy Esp
Owner of Missoula Bookkeeper
Amy Esp
Owner of Missoula Bookkeeper
Amy is the owner and founder of Missoula Bookkeeper. She has built a career around creatively solving problems, taking an inkling of an idea and bringing it to life. She brings creativity, attention to detail, an innate desire to watch ideas flourish and thrives in an environment of collaboration, brainstorming and growth.
As small business owners, you are calling the shots and making the important choices, but it helps to have an ally that can see problem areas, offer unbiased advice and help you make choices that will lead to the most growth and fulfillment in your career.
Amy recognizes that for small business owners, business is personal and she wants to help you make smart choices for success in both areas. And when she’s not helping small business owners, she’s building her own tiny empire, spending time in the sunshine with her two on-the-go kiddos and scheming her next big thing.
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill
Regional Sales - EW Scripps Montana TV Stations
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill
Regional Sales - EW Scripps Montana TV Stations
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill holds the current position of Regional Sales with the EW Scripps television stations in Montana. Her sales career began in fifth grade when she was charged to sell shares in her tomato crop, and she made her first $50.
Since that first taste of success, she’s sold radio, television, real estate and donuts. Her philosophy is to make a relationship first and a sale second, and to work hard to pair her product with the actual needs of buyers. Research and data are her friends in making real connections for real world results.
Micah Larsen
Marketing Mother-Hustler
Micah Larsen
Marketing Mother-Hustler
Hi, I’m Micah.
I’m a marketing guide for women business owners who want to support their households without feeling icky or inauthentic about selling their stuff.
And, if you’d told me about 10 years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I’d have been pretty darn surprised.
I also would’ve been, like: “Whose kid is THAT?”
Because, back then, I was folding thongs and selling bras part-time at Victoria’s Secret and getting ready to publish social science research on how to influence people to have safe sex.
I know … it’s an interesting combo.
I never thought I’d have kids of my own, and I was going to either get my PhD in persuasion research or work for the CIA.
I didn’t do either of those things. Instead, I:
wrote speeches in the Texas House of Representatives
I donated my eggs and helped a couple I didn’t know have a baby I’d never meet
packed up my Master’s degree and hopped on the back of a handsome, tattooed doctor’s motorcycle to move to the middle of nowhere, Wyoming
started a business doing political and public speaking consulting
And, eventually, that tattooed doctor and I had a baby of our own, and not without complications. I spent more than a month in the hospital, and then, the NICU, with “Biscuit.”
All those things taught me some really important lessons:
there are some really effective ways to get people to buy into your business without ever having to “sell” or feel pushy
women often carry a heavy burden and sacrifice a lot for others
working moms need to have a lot of flexibility if they’re going to support their families
… And, in a nutshell, that’s how I ended up here.
I teach women like you exactly what to say to get their ideal customers to book and buy at their small businesses so they can get off the high-low income rollercoaster, and do the meaningful stuff that makes them feel fulfilled.
Bob Zimorino
Realtor with Lambros ERA Real Estate
Bob Zimorino
Realtor with Lambros ERA Real Estate
Bob Zimorino owned and operated the restaurant Red Pies over Montana in downtown Missoula for decades. He describes himself as a dad, husband, real estate agent, musician, chef, writer, photographer and occasional nice guy. Bob has been a Realtor with Lambros ERA Real Estate for almost 15 years.
His over thirty years in the restaurant business have taught him many skills. He is a customer service specialist that understands the needs of businesses. As a songwriter and retired chef he has learned to be creative in his thinking and his approach to negotiating deals. His years as a guitarist have taught him that the learning only stops when you stop it.
Amy Doty
Owner of Frame of Mind Framing and Art Gallery
Amy Doty
Owner of Frame of Mind Framing and Art Gallery
Amy Doty started Frame of Mind in 2014 and has grown the business to be an art hub in Missoula, Montana. Amy has nearly 20 years of experience custom framing and designing in multiple states and for high end customers such as Nike, Adidas, Intel, Beaver Mustards, and much more. Early in her career, Amy interned as a custom framer with Maria Mackovjak, a previous head framer of the Chicago Art Museum.
Amy’s hard work and dedication to art and creativity, both her own and others, allowed Frame of Mind to become a staple for artists in Missoula. As a reflection of her values, the business will always be a place for artists to create, inspire, educate, and grow.
Andre Floyd
Musician, Educator and Activist
Andre Floyd
Musician, Educator and Activist
Andre Floyd is a musician, educator, human rights activist. He grew up in Great Falls and is a graduate of CM Russell High School. He is an alumni of The U of M and served on ASUM Senate.
Andre has been a part of Montana’s music scene for 40 of the last 50 years. With 10 in Chicago learning his craft with players like Corky Siegel, Taj Mahal. Gil-Scott Heron, Edgar Winter, Suzanne Vega….. and so many others. Not to mention Chicago’s best new Talent choice of 1986 … with his funk band Voodoobutter.
After returning to Missoula in 1992, Andre along with Al Carrigan started Missoula’s Tapas Recording Studio and Record Label releasing and distributing the early albums of his band Andre Floyd with Mood Iguana (Lapis, Without Boundaries and Project 2012) Cory Heydon (A Million Different Places) and Chris Hiatt’s self titled debut. After 7 successful years at Tapas he decided to join forces with Kevin Head and Brad Martins ( of the Rhinoceros) as the talent buyer for Missoula’s Blue Heron Bar. In 2003 Andre left the Blue Heron to begin work on his 3rd CD Project 2012.
After a brief stint in the Flathead Valley teaching at Kalispell Montessori School and Summit Boarding School he returned and is again calling Missoula home. For the last 10 years Andre has been teaching guitar and working on his 4th CD at his home studio here in Missoula.
Logan Foret
Owner of BFK Presents
Logan Foret
Owner of BFK Presents
Meet Logan Foret, your Host and Moderator for Beast Your Biz! He's fun, creative and super intelligent and we promise there will not be a dull moment! He is no stranger to entrepreneurship and can be described as fearless and relentless when it comes to business.
Logan once turned an old department store in the mall into an escape for Missoulians. The Giggle Box was safe and accessible, providing an experience people may not be comfortable experiencing otherwise. Especially as people were practicing social distancing and trying to avoid cabin fever.
Logan also owns BFK Presents, a single solution agency for brand amplification, consumer immersion through experiential installation, and bespoke events. Ranging from complete turnkey music and cultural festivals to pop up speakeasy-style art galleries to from-scratch builds at mega-conventions and trade shows
Linda Baumann
Partner at Marketplace Events
Linda Baumann
Partner at Marketplace Events
Linda Baumann, is the founder and co-owner of Marketplace Media and Events,.
Linda has worked in the media world for 30+ years and has worked hard to earn positions in management such as Publisher and General Manager at radio and television stations and newspapers for some of the largest media companies in the country. She has also worked with some of the largest advertising agencies such as McCan Ericson, BBDO and J Walter Thompson.
Linda received the 2012 Businesswoman of the Year award from the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network. The MBN Missoula Business Woman of the Year Award recognizes women who excel by promoting professional excellence for women, being an outstanding personal or business leader, promoting participation in MBN, and who participate in community, civic, or other charitable organizations.
Linda has been a community volunteer years in Missoula since 1993. She has served on the boards of the Missoula City/County Animal Control, March of Dimes, YWCA and American Cancer Society. Community and giving back are important to Linda and her business partner and daughter, Megan. Together, they were the 2015/16 Chairs of the Missoula County Relay for Life and are volunteers for countless community non-profit events.
Linda recently received the 2020 Flying High award from the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network. This prestigious award celebrates two extraordinary women each year who have made significant contributions to the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network and the Missoula community.
Megan Pfaff
Partner at Marketplace Events
Megan Pfaff
Partner at Marketplace Events
Megan Pfaff is the co-owner of Marketplace Media and Events.
Megan attended Hellgate High School and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Psychology. She began Rock Against Racism while in college as a community volunteer program, raising funds and awareness for the YWCA. She also did volunteer work in the Dominican Republic teaching English to children and building homes with Habitat for Humanity. She’s involved with the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Association as well as numerous non-profit organizations.
Giving back are important to Megan and her business partner and mom, Linda. Together, they were the 2015/16 Chairs of the Missoula County Relay for Life and are volunteers for countless community non-profit events.
She received the 2019 Flying High award from the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network. This prestigious award celebrates two extraordinary women each year who have made significant contributions to the Missoula Businesswomen’s Network and society.
Each recipient has helped raise the standards and level of professionalism in business, while inspiring and mentoring future generations, laying the groundwork that encourages all women to strive for excellence.
Megan has been a Partner at Marketplace Media and Events since 2006. Megan has lived in Missoula since 1993 and is raising two girls, Bailie 7 and Charlie 4, with her husband Matt. They love living in Missoula and relaxing at their family cabin in Seeley Lake.
SCHEDULE DETAILS Beast Your Biz! Event Schedules
Beast Your Biz! is designed to be very interactive. We have 45-minute sessions of action packed training followed by 15-minutes of open questions as well as 30-minute breaks to be able to digest the information and visit with Exhibitors. There is also a one-hour wrap-up session at the end of day where all of your business questions get answered, followed by a social-hour.
9.30 - 10.30 AM Workshop
Social Media Marketing Matters!
Learn what to say to your ideal customers on social media platforms to make a consistent income.
Working with Micah in this workshop can help you feel informed, empowered, and energized to get started. And you will leave with a list of concrete action items and resources to map out your priorities.
Micah Larsen
11:00 - 12.00 PM Panel
Leadership Done Right. What's the Secret?
Are you ready to go beyond business theory? Join this panel discussion for a high-octane leadership discussion to get real-life, proven advice from some of Missoula's finest leaders who've done it right. From retail to restaurant, government to non-profit, these leaders are known for their commitment to excellence in business as well a community. Learn what it takes to make a difference!
Kia Liszak
Susan Hay Patrick
Andre Floyd
Amy Doty
12.00 -1:00 PM Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Enjoy a downtown lunch with a discount coup from several restaurants, exclusively for "Beast Your Biz" attendees.
1.00 - 2.00 PM Panel
How to Succeed in Sales Without Selling
As an entrepreneur you’ve worked hard to establish your business and you probably need to sell if you want it to succeed. During this panel discussion with several proven sales pros. you'll learn a few steps you can take to succeed when it’s your turn to sell, without acting like a salesperson.
Danni Moore
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill
Bob Zimorino
2.30 - 3.30 PM Speaker
Understanding Business Accounting
Understanding the basics of business accounting helps you get a clear picture of your company’s finances, track your cash flow and organize your books for tax season. Amy Esp answers important accounting questions to help you tackle the financial operations of your business.
Amy Esp
4:00 - 5:00 PM Panel
Wrap-up, Celebrate, Clarify
For the last hour of the day, all speakers, Presenters and Panelists for the day will come together for YOUR time to question, clarify and celebrate a day of learning and understanding to better enhance your learning experience.
Danni Moore
Kia Liszak
Susan Hay Patrick
Amy Esp
Micah Larsen
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill
Andre Floyd
Amy Doty
Bob Zimorino
5:00 - 6:00PM Social Hour
Social Hour
Wind down and spend time exchanging business cards, connecting with new friends and having a drink at the no-host bar at the ZACC Showroom.
6.00 - 10:00PM Networking
VIP Meet Up!
Access a sneak preview of Beast Your Biz! the evening before with this VIP event, We will have music, complimentary drinks and appetizers while you meet speakers, panelists and sponsors up close and personal. This is a fabulous way to make personal contacts with entrepreneurs to help guide you on your way to success!
Danni Moore
Kia Liszak
Susan Hay Patrick
Amy Esp
Micah Larsen
Leslie Stoll-O’Neill
Bob Zimorino
Amy Doty
Andre Floyd
Logan Foret
Get Your Ticket Now!
NETWORKING NIGHT
$25
Spend an evening networking with Speakers and Panelists. Includes appetizers and two $5 drink tickets.
CONFERENCE
$55
Spend the day learning from Speakers, Workshops and Panelists from 9am until 6pm. Includes lunch discount coupon.
VIP COMBO
$65
Get both the Networking Night and the Conference and receive $10 off. It's the BEST deal to attend both events!
