Conference focuses on Indian business in Montana

September 19, 2007

John Gilbert, owner of Silver Wolf Enterprises out of Great Falls, spoke Tuesday at the Red Lion Colonial Inn during the Montana Indian Business Conference and Showcase. During Gilbert's speech he talked about what has made his business successful, such as determination, believing in yourself, never quitting, and above all, hustle.

As a small business owner on an Indian reservation, Theo Hugs faces a number of the same problems faced by her peers in business across the state.

Start-up money was tough to find when she opened the River Crow Trading Post on the Crow Reservation. Rent is expensive, taxes take a bite, shoplifting is a constant concern, and it’s difficult to make a year-round go of a business in an area with such a short tourist season.

Cultural hurdles may need to be overcome as well.

By JOHN HARRINGTON - Independent Record

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2007/09/19/helena/a070919_02.txt

“Sometimes it’s hard to be an Indian business person,” she said. “If you’re going to be following the powwow circuit or the rodeo circuit, you can’t be there running your business. It’s difficult playing that dual role.”