Accountants explore life after Touch America

Dumped by Butte telecom, entrepreneurs launch new local enterprises

That is what three former accountants at Touch America — the failed Butte telecommunications company — are finding as they build and operate their own businesses in their hometown.

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard

http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2004/04/05/newsbutte_top/hjjfjfjejcedjc.txt

"You go through those experiences like we did at Touch America and you get pretty creative. I think all of us are looking for a different level of independence … I hope we all make it," said Jennifer Cashell.

Cashell kicks off her own business this week with All About Lights, a lighting store, while former co-worker Amy O’Brien, along with her sister Julie Lubick, open today (Monday) with The Copper Hawk, a specialty bird and nature store in Uptown Butte. Joining them is Hugh Murphy, who is winding up his work at Touch America, and his wife, Heidi, with their home-based franchise business, V2K, which offers complete window fashions and installation through a unique computerized approach.

The three co-workers worked on the same floor at Touch America and helped support each other through Touch America’s troubles and into their new ventures. "We’re all good friends and I think we’ve helped each other brainstorm and have gone to home trade shows together, it’s been a good comraderie," Cashell added.

Cashell found her niche after her experience building her own home and her difficulty in finding a wide selection of lighting in Butte. O’Brien mixed her desire to control her own destiny by owning her own business with her sister’s avid interest in birding, one of the top hobbies in Montana. The Murphys knew they wanted to start their own business and were intrigued by the vast offerings of V2K and its business philosophy.

And all three accountants wanted to base their businesses in their hometown, believing that Butte will prosper. "I just believe that something’s going to happen … it’s going to grow," said O’Brien. The Copper Hawk offers birding supplies, birdhouses, ponds, home decor and gardening touches and eventually will offer bird-watching optics and perhaps educational programs too.

"I grew up in Butte and want to stay in Butte. I want to support Butte and want to see Butte grow," added Cashell. "And you shouldn’t have to drive to Missoula to find a light fixture."

All three also are excited by the prospect of owning their own business — and making their own decisions — and definitely have a leg up on new business owners in matters of accounting and bookkeeping.

"I really look forward to our own business," said Hugh Murphy, who recently passed his 18th year of working for Montana Power and then Touch America. He added that he is excited by the prospect of putting his own efforts into a business and where the couple can make their own business decisions.

"I love this type of business, we can have fun with this type of business and offer people something they want at a reasonable price," said Heidi Murphy. The Murphys have been in business for a couple weeks now and are getting a good response to their offerings.

V2K offers a unique way to "try out" window coverings from valances, blinds, drapes and other types of treatments by using a patented computer program that pictures a homeowner’s window with a treatment added. In addition, the program — which has countless types of treatments — gives the homeowner the exact price, including installation.

The Murphys’ territory includes the western half of Montana and the two recently returned from training at the home office in Denver. In practice runs, the couple has practiced on friends and family but noted that their business is already growing through word of mouth. In addition to window treatments, V2K offers pillows, bedding and accessories.

Associating themselves with a franchise also gives the Murphys’ buying power to be very price-competitive and accessibility to the largest names in the business.

Cashell and O’Brien are entering the new world of store-front merchandising and spent last week before opening with boxes of merchandise, putting up signs and readying their store.

"What can I say? Lighting turned me on," Cashell quipped. Cashell also is extending her education in lighting through the American Lighting Association. She noted that her store, which is mostly a one-woman show, not only offers fixtures, she also offers design services by helping homeowners design their lighting schemes, whether it be a new build or a historic home.

"We’re so excited," said O’Brien of her store, which has turned into a family affair with parents Dave and Carol Lubick helping ready the store — which meshed her desire for a new business with Julie’s degree in biology and enthusiasm for birding — for customers. "And it’s so much fun."

— Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

New Butte businesses

# The Copper Hawk, co-owned by Amy O’Brien and Julie Lubick, is located at 31 N. Main St., the site of the former Mountain Man Gallery. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday hours haven’t been determined and it is closed Sunday.

# All About Lights, owned by Jennifer Cashell, 2843 Amherst St., opened last week. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

# V2K, owned by Hugh and Heidi Murphy, the "See It Before You Buy It" window fashion store, is available by calling 782-3333 to schedule an appointment.