Business Development
Services
Free, one-on-one consulting and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Lake, Sanders, and Mineral counties and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
What We Do
Mission West's Business Development Center offers comprehensive, no-cost consulting to entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage. Whether you are starting from scratch, stabilizing operations, or planning your next expansion, our advisors work alongside you with hands-on guidance tailored to your situation and your market.
Our technical assistance covers everything from business plan development and financial projections to marketing strategy, operational efficiency, and management coaching. Every engagement starts with a needs assessment so we understand your goals before recommending a path forward.
All services are funded through federal and state economic development programs and offered at no charge to eligible businesses in our service area.
How We Help Your Business
Our advisors bring decades of combined experience in rural business development. Here is what a typical engagement can include.
Business Planning
We help you define your business model, write or refine your business plan, and build financial projections that lenders and investors trust. Whether you are pre-revenue or pivoting an established operation, we start where you are.
Financial Analysis
Cash flow modeling, break-even analysis, pricing strategy, and loan-readiness review. We make sure the numbers work before you commit capital.
Marketing Strategy
Brand positioning, customer acquisition channels, digital presence, and local market research. Practical marketing guidance grounded in what works for rural Montana businesses.
Management Coaching
Leadership development, team building, operational systems, and succession planning. Ongoing support for owners who want to grow their capacity alongside their business.
Loan Packaging
Pre-qualification guidance, document preparation, and application support for Mission West loan programs and external lending partners. We walk you through every step.
Regulatory Navigation
Licensing, permitting, zoning, environmental compliance, and other regulatory requirements. We help you understand what is required and connect you with the right agencies.
Areas of Expertise
Specialized BDC Programs
Beyond general consulting, the BDC runs several targeted programs for specific business needs.
How It Works
Getting started is straightforward. Here is what to expect.
1. Reach Out
Fill out our new client application or call the office. No formal paperwork needed to start the conversation.
2. Needs Assessment
We schedule an initial meeting to understand your business, your goals, and where you need the most support.
3. Matched with an Advisor
Based on your needs, we pair you with the right advisor on our team. Most clients work directly with our Business Development Coordinator.
4. Ongoing Support
This is not a one-time consult. We stay with you as your business evolves, adjusting our support as your needs change.
Meet the Team
Businesses We Have Helped
Tyler’s Styling Studio
Tyler Leslie had the eye. She could walk into someone’s closet and see what was missing, what didn’t fit, what was holding them back from feeling like themselves. Friends and family had been asking for her help for years. She knew the talent was real. Turning it into a business was a different challenge. In […]
Mission Country Market
For two decades, Stutzman’s Country Market has been a fixture on Watson Road in St. Ignatius: a place where you could get hand-sliced deli meats, bulk health foods, Amish preserves, and a scoop of Wilcoxson’s ice cream all under one roof. When the original owners decided to step back, the question was whether the market […]
Ready to Build
Your Business?
Tell us about your business and what kind of support you are looking for. Our team will follow up within one business day. All consulting services are free.