Welcome to the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce

PIONEERING INTO THE FUTURE

Membership Drive

Ronan Business Community,

This message is being sent to all current & potential members of the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce. It is that time of year again, Membership Renewal! We are excited to embark into 2021 with hope of the return to a more “normal” year. We feel that we have a great board and staff that is full of enthusiasm, with exciting ideas for our business community and the town of Ronan!

Your membership dues make a huge difference in the success of the Chamber and its ongoing mission to promote local businesses and help grow the business community of Ronan. Membership dollars are used to run local events, promote the community both in local and state publications, work with tourism groups to promote Ronan, and staff a part-time Manager to promote & develop the Chamber. They also pay for our basic functionality of office supplies, utilities and rent. While we do ask for contributions throughout the year to further enhance events and the community, your membership dollars provide the foundation of the Chamber’s existence.

We have increased membership numbers as well as participation in local events over the years and look forward to continuing that this year and into the future.

As a Chamber our goals are to develop, implement and continue to grow exposure of the local businesses, attract new businesses and work to promote our town and business community.

The Ronan Chamber of Commerce has 14 total committees that we have created, oversee and fund. These committees include Ag Appreciation, Shop Hop, Parade of Lights, Visitors Center, Crab Fest, Harvest Festival, Chamber Luncheon, Public Relations, Governance, Chain Saw Carving, Beautification, Clean-Up Day, Ranch Days and Ronan Revitalization.

We hope that you can see the value and impact that we at the Chamber of Commerce work hard to achieve and, as a result will consider joining us. We’re better together! Please look over the membership levels to see if there is one that is right for you and your business.

Thank You,

Katie Jo Elliott,

Ronan Chamber of Commerce

(406)314-1126

How to Move Your Small Business Forward During the Pandemic

Guest Article by: Elena Stewart

This is a long form text area designed for your content that you can fill up with as many words as your heart desires. You can write articles, long mission statements, company policies, executive profiles, company awards/distinctions, office locations, shareholder reports, whitepapers, media mentions and other pieces of content that don’t fit into a shorter, more succinct space.

Articles – Good topics for articles include anything related to your company – recent changes to operations, the latest company softball game – or the industry you’re in. General business trends (think national and even international) are great article fodder, too.

Mission statements – You can tell a lot about a company by its mission statement. Don’t have one? Now might be a good time to create one and post it here. A good mission statement tells you what drives a company to do what it does.

Company policies – Are there company policies that are particularly important to your business? Perhaps your unlimited paternity/maternity leave policy has endeared you to employees across the company. This is a good place to talk about that.

Executive profiles – A company is only as strong as its executive leadership. This is a good place to show off who’s occupying the corner offices. Write a nice bio about each executive that includes what they do, how long they’ve been at it, and what got them to where they are.

Resources:

thrive in the pandemic

business tools

Montana LLC

boost your marketing

improved digital presence

social media

your business toolkit

work from home

home office upgrades

productive and efficient

Blast Through the Boring

Guest Article by: Nicola Reid

Blast Through the Boring: Establishing the Nuts and Bolts of Your Small Business

Thinking up brilliant ideas for your new business is fun and exciting, but the less enjoyable aspects of developing a business can feel tedious. However, these parts of the process are just as vital. Getting funding, creating an LLC, and setting up sound accounting practices are basic components for establishing a successful small business.

The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce understands what it’s like to trudge through these varying steps of business development. It’s definitely challenging, but well worth the effort when you see your business ideas come to fruition. Here are some steps you can take.

Getting Funded

Obtaining funding is an important early step in the process. People who go into business do not always have the initial capital to get started. If you are considering seeking investors for your business, be sure to put together a prospectus that outlines the products or services you will provide, the structure of your business, and the materials you will need. Investors will want to see that you have a well-constructed plan and that their funds will be used in the best way possible.

If you are considering a small business loan, work with your funding source to identify the best type of loan to meet your specific needs. Interest rates vary, but you may be able to obtain a decent rate and a reasonable payment schedule. Grants are another excellent way to start a small business, so it can be worth investigating the types of grants available that do not require payback. Using grant money is a low-risk proposition, and it can behoove small business owners to consider these options to reduce risk.

Benefits of Filing an LLC

To protect personal assets as you start a small business, consider filing as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Filing as an LLC can provide a range of benefits from simplified paperwork to tax advantages. One of the most significant benefits is the peace of mind LLC owners get from knowing that their personal and family assets are protected. Limited liability companies also have greater flexibility within their business.

Small business owners can file their own LLC paperwork specific to the regulations of their state, or keep it simple by hiring an attorney or formation service. Often, most people just getting started in business will opt to outsource this task, as it saves time and does away with the guesswork.

Establish Banking for Your Small Business

Another important factor to consider as you start your small business is how to manage your banking needs. Not all business accounts are created equal, and this is especially true for small businesses. Often, you will find that the best bank for small business provides a variety of features that simplify your banking transactions. Banking can be easy when it integrates to your accounting and payroll software for faster payments and seamless bookkeeping. Ideally, your bank should also guarantee high-yield interest and include free instant deposits, as well as limited or zero fees.

Accounting Plans

Every business needs a plan for managing funds. Working with a professional accounting service to track income, expenditures, prepare taxes, and the link can produce a stress-free financial experience and ensures your compliance with tax law. Accounting pros can also help you create a growth strategy that is based on your actual numbers and financial health.

Indeed, there’s more than one way for small business owners to navigate the less-enjoyable aspects of building the business in order to focus on the fun and rewarding bits. With the right tools and adequate help, there’s no need to miss out on the satisfaction of being self-employed and owning your own business.

Collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs through the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce. Apply for membership today.

Resources:

Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce

Obtaining funding

a well-constructed plan

Interest rates vary

the types of grants available

Limited Liability Company

keep it simple by hiring best bank for small business

create a growth strategy

Apply for membership