Mark Kennedy

Recent Posts

Small-town values propel big-time business success

Dad and daughter

Randy Sitzman is not one for bragging. Left to his own devices, he probably wouldn’t have gone out looking for publicity when the big news broke last month—that he and two other managers for the First Financial Equity Corp. were buying out the founder of the corporation. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Todd’s Plantation and the dawn of real coffee in Billings

Todd1

It’s hard to imagine now, but back when Todd Miller opened his coffee shop in downtown Billings, nobody in town was roasting coffee and probably half the small number of people who had heard of espresso called it expresso. “Coffee was whatever they slopped in your cup at the local cafe, and everybody bought their coffee for home consumption in two-pound red cans,” Miller said. (more…) Continue Reading →

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Off to Tuscany: Well-earned break for ‘serial entrepreneur’

Joanie

Joanie Swords is dreaming of Italy. In the fall, she will seek out the discoveries that author Frances Mayes writes about in her book, “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

As Harper & Madison, the cafe, bakery and market that she has “put her heart and soul into,” enters its fourth year, she can trust her staff to operate the business while she’s away. (more…) Continue Reading →

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