The Vault at 201 N Broadway

In this episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski takes the podcast on the road to the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Fall Conference. Recorded live in Polson, she sat down with economic development leaders and partners from across the state, including Christy Cummings Dawson with Montana West Economic Development, Terra Burman with Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation, Eric Seidensticker with Montana Bus...

In this episode, we sit down with Paddy Fleming, Director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). Paddy shares his journey from growing up in small-town Montana to leading manufacturing operations across North America and Europe.

We talk about leadership, learning from others, and the experiences that shaped his career—from solving complex problems to managing teams and driving improvement. As Paddy puts it, “There’s s...

In this episode, we sit down with David Allen, General Manager of the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) and veteran marketing executive whose career has shaped some of the biggest names in western sports, rodeo, and conservation.
From his roots in Deadwood, South Dakota, to working alongside legends like Dale Earnhardt and Ty Murray, David shares stories from over 50 years in PRCA ProRodeo, Wrangler, NASCAR, PB...

In this episode, host Marcell sits down with Toby Tooke—radio host, DJ, and social media manager at Tooke Bucking Horses—for a conversation close to home. Toby shares the remarkable legacy of his great-grandfather, Feek Tooke, the visionary horseman from Ekalaka, Montana, whose breeding program shaped nearly every bucking horse in modern rodeo.

From growing up on the ranch to producing a documentary honoring Feek’s story, Toby talks...

In this episode we sit down with Montana APEX Accelerator team to learn how their program helps Montana businesses successfully navigate government contracting. We cover how to find opportunities, understand requirements, and pursue contracts with federal, state, and local agencies.

Whether you’re selling directly to the government or subcontracting to prime contractors, the Montana APEX team provides personal, timely advice and pra...

In this episode, we sit down with Avanlee Christine, CEO and Founder of Avanlee Care, a female-founded healthcare tech company born in Montana and built to bridge the gap between health plans and caregiving families.

Avanlee shares her journey from working in healthcare startups to taking the leap into entrepreneurship, navigating fundraising, product development, and the realities of building a tech company from the ground up. From...

 In this episode, we sit down with Blythe Beaubien, Captain and Founder of Bigger Fish PR. Known for amplifying her clients’ stories, Blythe shares her own—from growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Chicago and California, to a triple major at Lehigh University, and her early start in sports PR with the Philadelphia 76ers. She reflects on lessons learned in long hours, tough transitions, and even a layoff that pushed her to st...

In this special episode of The Vault, host Marcell Bruski and guest host, Paul Green take the podcast on the road for the very first time—recording live from the Colstrip Energy Open. We sat down with energy leaders and community voices including Grid United, the Montana Department of Commerce, Colstrip Mayor John Williams, Nick Pancheau of Collaborative Design Architects and BSED Board Chair, Molly Schwend with NorthWestern Energy...

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Flint, host of Montana Talks and one of the most recognized voices in Montana media. Aaron shares his Montana roots — from stuffing newspapers at his grandparents’ shop in Glasgow to leading a statewide radio talk show. He reflects on the lessons of growing up in small-town Montana, his years studying in Washington, D.C., and his decades of military service following 9/11, including deploymen...

 In this episode, we sit down with Wade Haesemeyer and Sam Steingraber, the co-founders of LUNE Marketing Studio, to talk about entrepreneurship, storytelling, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Their journey began with music and mentorship, grew through trust and shared vision, and has now evolved into a business built on telling brands’ stories through the power of video.

We dive into the importance of failure as a dri...

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Amundson and Erika Purington to talk about the merger of Big Sky Senior Services and the Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County—now united as Allies in Aging.

Together, they bring nearly 100 years of experience in serving older adults, offering essential services like in-home care, meals, caregiver support, transportation, education, and social connection. The merger was a proactive ste...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Michael Sanderson, engineer and CEO, whose career has been shaped by family legacy, problem-solving, and intentional leadership. Michael shares his journey returning to the family business, starting at the bottom, and eventually buying the company with partners in 2002.

We discuss his approach to leadership, the company’s breakthrough with the Shiloh Crossing project, and strategic growth through...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Christina Henderson, Executive Director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. Christina shares her journey from growing up in rural Iowa with community-minded parents to building a career that’s taken her from teaching and marketing to economic development leadership across multiple states. We talk about her move to Montana, the connections and experiences that led her to launch and lead t...

In this episode, we sit down with Debbie Desjarlais, co-founder of Keya Advertising and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa, with Assiniboine roots from Fort Peck and Fort Belknap. Debbie shares her journey from early creative work with major brands to building a business alongside her brother that partners with Native communities across Montana. We talk about their years of storytelling through NativeWellness.Life m...

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Gregory, founder of Resilient Guides and a Wyoming-based business coach who helps mission-driven leaders grow without burning out. Ryan shares his journey from California to Wyoming, his experience building and selling a self-managing company, and how the Cowboy Code of Ethics—“doing what you say you’re going to”—guides his approach to leadership and life.

We dive into how Ryan helps business o...

On this episode, we dive into Judi Powers’ journey from healthcare to hospitality — starting as a nurse, growing into an executive leadership role in major health systems, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship at Montana Fly Fishing Lodge. Judi shares what it means to lead with vulnerability, how to build strong teams by hiring to your weaknesses, and why mentoring others has always been at the heart of her leadership style...

On today’s Vault short we talk about the importance of your business name and things to consider when naming your business. 

We cover key considerations when naming your business—like clarity, memorability, brand alignment, and how your customers will search and engage with your business name. We talk about the value of getting feedback from potential customers, friends, or family before deciding. On this episode we also highlight c...

Join us as we sit down with Jen Rahr with Deer Creek Design Studio to talk about creativity, entrepreneurship, and growing a design business in Montana.

Jen shares her journey from small-town freelancer to full-time business owner, and how a passion for design—from school posters to full brand packages—turned into a thriving company. We talk about being ahead of the curve in graphic design, building a business by word of mouth, and ...

Join us as we sit down with Matthew Weber, owner of Alpha Overhead Doors. 

He shares how stepping into his family’s garage door business—and eventually buying it—sparked a shift not just in ownership, but in purpose.

We talk about the difference between camaraderie and  culture, why strong relationships are essential, and how he’s built a business focused on developing people personally and professionally. We discuss the value of coa...