Photo by Cordell Hardy
About Us
Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce
The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce is a group of interested businesses and citizens working together in service to our community. We provide for the exchange of information and communication; promote service activities for retail, wholesale, manufacturing and service businesses; provide informal and formal functions for area youth, schools, agricultural trades and members, and respond to needs that develop in the community.
Contact Us
Hours
Visitors Center : Open Wed - Saturday
(From Memorial Day to Labor Day only)
Guest Articles
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
Gold Members
Bronze Members
