Recognizes Invest in Veterans Week

KALISPELL, MT – Recognizing Invest in Veterans Week, Governor Greg Gianforte on March 4th, met with nearly two dozen veterans, advocates, and nonprofit organizations to highlight the investment of veteran business owners in the Flathead.

“Invest in Veterans Week is a time to encourage all Montanans to support veteran-owned businesses in their communities and to thank veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to tear down barriers to opportunity for our veterans and all Montana small business owners as they invest in our communities and create more good-paying jobs.”

At Black Rifle Coffee Company, a veteran-owned business in Kalispell, the governor met with local veteran business owners who shared more about their military careers and businesses.

Among the veterans at the event was Joe Mayden, a U.S. Army veteran, retired police officer, and owner of Joseph Mayden Photography. Mayden served for over 20 years in the military and as a law enforcement officer, serving deployments with Operation Enduring Freedom in the Philippines as well as Operation Iraq Freedom, before moving to Montana and launching his photography business.

Mayden shared, “When I got out of the military and went into law enforcement, I learned a lot. I built on the foundation of what the military gave to me and so when I got out of law enforcement, I knew that I had a work ethic that surpassed others, especially in the civilian sector. I knew I could apply that to myself and that's what inspired me to become an entrepreneur.”

Shianna Peters, founder of Integrative Nutrition Services, added, “As military members, we’re self-starters and we know how to work hard. So, it makes sense to take on the challenge of starting a business - to be challenged, be uncomfortable and create something beautiful.”

The group also discussed ways to support job creators, invest in mental health, and build community among veterans. Joining the roundtable were support organizations like Veterans Business Outreach Center that provide information and resources to veteran business owners across Montana.

Highlighting the importance of employing fellow veterans and the quality of veteran employees, Joe Mayden added, “When it comes to a veteran, not only are you hiring someone that's going to work hard, but they're going to work hard to be better than the next person. And it's not an ego thing, it’s just that we want a standard of the United States veteran and the United States military, that we are the best in the world.”

According to data released last year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, veterans represent 5.5% of business owners in the U.S.

With the highest percentage of veterans per capita in the nation, Gov. Gianforte reaffirmed Montana’s commitment to ensuring those who served have the tools and resources they need to thrive in civilian life.

In 2023, the governor signed into law a bill to exempt up to 50 percent of military retirement pay from the state income tax and to establish educator licensing reciprocity for military members, military spouses, and veterans. Gov. Gianforte also made a historic $300 million investment to expand intensive and community-based behavioral health care and developmental disabilities services across Montana.

Invest in Veterans Week is a national initiative to recognize the economic impact of veteran-owned businesses and raise awareness of the available resources. Participants in the roundtable included, Joe Mayden of Joseph Mayden Photography, Brandy Burke of Triple Divide Creative, Joseph Anderson a Franchise Administrator for Gameday Men's Health Kalispell, and Shianna Peters of Integrative Nutrition Services.

See Gov. Gianforte’s proclamation declaring Invest in Veterans Week in Montana here.