MT Business Uses New, Innovative Way to Get More Business

BUTTE, MT - When two women set out to grow more than vegetables on their 10-acre farm near Yellowstone, they did more than just cultivating crops—they cultivated a movement.

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And they did it not with a billboard or a job fair, but with a few swipes, a smartphone, and an app most Montanans associate with dances and recipes: TikTok.

In a story that’s equal parts inspiring and instructive, Sage LeBlanc and Allison Larew, co-founders of Yellowstone Farmstead, turned a staffing problem into a viral phenomenon, pulling in 4,000 applications from eager workers across the country.

What started as a dream rooted in sustainability, community, and a love of the land has become a case study in modern entrepreneurship—and a masterclass for how small Montana businesses can thrive in a digital age.

A Farm Built on Grit...and Social Media

Nestled in Paradise Valley, just outside Yellowstone National Park, the farm began as a solo mission for LeBlanc—a sixth-generation Maine farmer.

But in 2024, she teamed up with Larew, a fellow East Coaster and the former Garden Director at Chico Hot Springs. Together, they envisioned a working farm that wasn't just productive, but purposeful.

But like many Montanans, they hit a wall when it came to staffing. Rural hiring isn’t easy, especially when your farm is surrounded by mountains, not job-seekers.

That’s when they turned to TikTok.

That leap of faith led to nearly 4,000 applications, mostly from women across the country.

Within weeks, the duo had filled out their team with 12 passionate workers, some of whom had never left their home states before.

One applicant left the Arizona desert to see snow for the first time in Montana. Another packed up from Alaska. The internet—quite literally—showed up in overalls.

What This Means for Montana Businesses

This isn’t just a feel-good story: it’s a roadmap for how Montana businesses can market smarter, not harder.

According to Synup’s 2025 Social Media Marketing Statistics, 90% of small businesses now use social media to promote services, and 78% say it’s critical for driving revenue.

For LeBlanc and Larew, TikTok became more than a popular gimmick. It was their hiring strategy, their marketing plan, and their storytelling tool all rolled into one.

Their success proves that even the most traditional industries—like agriculture—can benefit from modern platforms. And in a state like Montana, where physical distance often limits opportunity, social media closes the gap between “we need help” and “help is on the way.”

A Business Model Rooted in Passion

They negotiated a lease for their property through the Church Universal and Triumphant, a group with a colorful past, and converted old church housing into dorm-style apartments for their new hires.

Employees work just 15 hours per week in exchange for housing, giving them time to immerse in the mission of the farm—sustainability, education, and community.

It’s a sentiment echoed by business giants and everyday Montanans alike. Whether you’re launching a tech startup in Bozeman or running a flower shop in Butte, one thing remains true: when you lead with passion—and market like it’s 2025—people notice.

Final Take

This isn’t just a farm story. It’s a wake-up call. If two farmers can get 4,000 applicants using TikTok, what could your Montana business do with a bit of creativity, a clear message, and a willingness to try something new?

From Paradise Valley to Kalispell, from barbershops to breweries — the new Montana marketing playbook isn’t written in ad buys or newspaper classifieds. It’s being filmed vertically, posted with purpose, and shared with the world.