A blog post by a student of the Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship was recently features on Huffington Post’s website.

Mike Maher’s post, “What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business,” was published in the Huffington Post’s “What’s Working” section.

“Entrepreneurship is intimidating,” Maher wrote. “Perhaps what drives people crazy is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all mold of how to be successful in the entrepreneurial realm.”

Maher, who also works as operations manager for the Blackstone Launchpad at MSU, went on to outline a few tips for entrepreneurial success, including to: focus on solving a real problem, start small before scaling up, learn from one’s predecessors, keep things simple and recognize opportunities.

Maher, from Los Gatos, Calif., is a junior majoring in business management. He said he appreciated the opportunity to have this blog post published in a national outlet and is grateful for the many opportunities he has received while at MSU.

To read the essay online, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackstone-launchpad/what-i-wish-i-knew-before_1_b_11660788.html.

Chamber talks employee hiring, retainment at next luncheon

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel on Tuesday will center on hiring and retaining the best possible employees for local businesses.

A panel of experts from local businesses will be on hand to talk about hiring practices, navigating recruitment, interview techniques, on-boarding and performance evaluations. Panelists include Nick Moschette, of the Flathead Job Service, Cindy Carpenter, of Three Rivers Bank, Ronda Wakefield, of Nomad Global Communication Solutions and Kristen Heck, of LC Staffing.

Admission is $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight. The menu includes mixed spring greens with choice dressing, artisan rolls, pan roasted carrots, garlic Yukon potatoes, slow cooked pork roast with mushroom demi-glaze and desserts.