Local Entrepreneurs in Great Falls, MT, Are Dedicated to Their Crafts
Rebekah Jarvey and Meagan Anderson have different backgrounds but their journeys as entrepreneurs run parallel. As they grow their businesses, both women are living their best lives and having a blast along the way in Great Falls.
In This Article
From Great Plains to Fashion Runways
Jarvey was raised northeast of Great Falls. She’s a member of three different tribes, Chippewa, Cree and Blackfeet, and she grew up learning to sew.
“I come from four generations of sewers and beaders, and I’m teaching my son. That’s how our legacy and traditional knowledge has been passed on,” says Jarvey, who launched her business in 2020. “I started off making face masks and ribbon skirts, which are 100% cotton with ribbon that’s sewn on.”
By marketing on Facebook and Instagram, she started gaining a large following.
“Then one of my masks went viral, and that’s how I got discovered,” she says.
As the owner and designer of Rebekah Jarvey Sewist, she’s shifted her focus as her business has evolved over the years.
“I mainly sell ready-to-wear clothes like dresses and shirts, and then I make one-of-a-kind pieces for the runway,” she says.
In 2024, she did over 20 fashion shows. From Montana, Seattle and Denver to Fashion Week in Paris and New York, she’s traveled across the globe.
“I also designed a shoe for Nike that’s in the Spencer Museum of Art in Kansas,” she says.
Another career highlight was a fashion show held during the Cannes Film Festival that was attended by the cast of Killers of the Flower Moon, the 2023 film that focused on a series of murders of members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma in the 1920s.
“It was a really remarkable time,” says Jarvey of the show. “Indigenous fashion is at the forefront right now. We’re getting recognized.”
Her color palette distinguishes her work, with its use of bright neon colors. She also incorporates geometric patterns.
“I draw inspiration from my tribe,” she says. “Through fashion, we can honor our designs and share them with the world.”
Alaskan Artist Moves to Montana
Meagan Anderson draws inspiration from her background, too. As a child in Alaska, she made necklaces from rocks that she collected. She also grew up with horses in a family deeply involved in the rodeo. As an adult, she’s driven horse-drawn carriages in Texas and done therapeutic equine riding in Wyoming. Today, she’s a full-time jewelry maker, mostly creating accessories like bracelets, earrings and hair clips.
“I also really love making rings because they’re the most intimate piece of jewelry. When you shake hands, your ring touches the other person,” she says.
While gathering and polishing stones captured her initial interest, silver is the catalyst behind Anderson’s success.
“I knew from the time I started silversmithing that I wanted to do this,” she says. “My great grandfather was a silversmith, and we have some handwritten instructions from him. My grandma and I took a class together to really learn how to do it.”
Today, teaching silversmithing is a big part of Anderson’s business.
“For a lot of people, the classes are an outlet, a way to meet others,” she says. “My favorite part is helping people empower themselves. I get to see that creative light come on.”
Work Hard, Play Hard
Anderson runs Sweet Pea Custom Silver from her home just east of Great Falls.
“I’m very outdoorsy, and I really like the atmosphere in Great Falls. Whether you’re an outside or indoor person, there’s a lot to do. I play volleyball, and there are trivia nights and fun nightlife,” she says. “I’ve mostly been boots on the ground networking with local artists, figuring out what works for them.”
Anderson says it’s also critical to have solid backup plans “but don’t give up on the long-term goal.”
Jarvey says her key to success is determination.
“I don’t take no for an answer,” she says. “Always figure out how to be in the room where decisions are made.”
She believes the risks and sacrifices are part of the thrill.
“I’ve missed birthdays and other events because I have to meet deadlines, make orders and travel,” Jarvey says. “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but I take that leap because I want to see where this journey goes. This is the life that I want, and I’m working toward my goals.”
SBDC Is One of the First Stops for Entrepreneurs in Great Falls, MT
Successful entrepreneurs know it’s important to get advice from a variety of sources.
In Great Falls, one of the key resources is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
“The SBDC is designed to provide support and guidance to small businesses at various stages of growth,” says Deb McGregor, Great Falls SBDC regional director. “Our primary purpose is to offer no-cost consulting, training and other assistance to help small businesses start, grow and succeed.”
The SBDC assists with business and marketing plans, financial forecasting, strategy, and creative problem-solving.
“One of our standout programs is the entrepreneurship cohorts, where small-business owners come together to learn from each other in a collaborative environment,” McGregor says. “They build a strong network of support.”
If you’re dreaming of launching a business, one of the first tasks is to research your idea’s viability.
“We can help you determine if it’s a need in the community and if it can be profitable in this market,” McGregor says.
Once you’ve determined your business is a good fit for Great Falls, you’ve got to home in on your target market.
“Successful startups take the time to deeply analyze their market and plan accordingly,” she says.
With resources like the SBDC, Great Falls is a welcoming place with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and tools to get off to a good start.
“We often hear from small business owners that they wish they’d known the SBDC was here when they started,” McGregor says. “It would have made such a difference.”
Get to Know Great Falls
Want to learn more about living and working in Great Falls, MT? Check out the latest edition of Livability Great Falls, Montana.