Spirited Woman Blogger Team

Women of Montana - Betty's Divine Aimee McQuilkin

This is my final interview in my Women of Montana series. I'm heading home to LA tomorrow and I am tired, filled with energy, buzzing around like I've had 20 cups of coffee, but loving it all.

One of the reasons why I am buzzing is I had the chance yesterday to meet Aimee McQuilkin, the dynamic, filled with energy (it rubbed off) mom of two young girls, and fashionista of Missoula. Aimee owns and operates Betty's DIvine - an absolutely divine shop if I say so myself. Terrifically trendy - it is like walking into a very hip large closet. There is a little bit of this and a little bit of that - from stylish bras to boots to jackets to jewelry to on and on.

I found Aimee's take on Montana fascinating. She originally moved to Montana to go to the University of Montana. She's never left town and she's never looked back. For her the city is a cultural melting pot. It invigorates her and keeps her moving. Armed with a psychology degree she says she uses it a lot in the store. She comes across as a woman who would help others in a pinch.

So good-bye, Montana for now. Here's Aimee in a 4-minute video and a 5-minute audio interview. Enjoy!

Click here for AUDIO INTERVIEW.

- Nancy Mills, Founder of http://www.thespiritedwoman.com
Click here to read more of Nancy's posts.

Women of Montana - Mamalode's Elke Govertsen

Well, this series on the Women of Montana is turning out to be such an adventure!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet the "head mama" of Missoula. And if I had to put my money on it, Elke Govertsen, the innovative publisher of the locally-based Mamalode magazine will soon be the "head mama" from Wyoming to California (and beyond).

Elke is a bright star. Filled with ideas. The mother of two young sons, she started Mamalode in 2009 with a $400 investment and a big dream. Since then she's produced nine print magazines - with rich content and gorgeous photos - positioning each magazine with a theme, such as, "enough, letting go, connection, and adventure." Her goal is to spin magazines for mothers on their heads. Mamalode offers no recipes and no "how to's" - "which really don't make you feel enough," she says. What a concept - she actually produces a magazine that "whole mothers" can relate to and enjoy reading for its content.

Elke's media empire is growing. She has an extremely active website, www.mamalode.com, distributes about 10,000 free magazines locally, has an international subscriber base, and she's even interviewed such mama notables as Randi Zuckerberg, the sister of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. Below is a 5-minute video on Elke and a 10-minute audio interview. Grab a cup of coffee (or maybe milk) and meet this delightful spirited woman mama - born and raised in Montana (she even knows how to weld and fix things - geez!) Keep on truckin' Elke! Please leave your comments for her.

Click here for AUDIO INTERVIEW.

- Nancy Mills, Founder of http://www.thespiritedwoman.com
Click here to read more of Nancy's posts.

Women of Montana - Author Kat Martin

I'm continuing my Women of Montana series with author Kat Martin. I've known Kat for well over 10 years. We first met at a Book Expo, and then kept up our relationship when I lived in Santa Barbara, CA - and Kat was traveling back and forth between her West Coast home and Montana spread.

For years, she kept on saying, "You've got to visit us out in Montana." So finally, I did. I arrived at her beautiful ranch home on the outskirts of Missoula, near the Rock Creek River - known for its fishing and beauty. The day was gorgeous.

Kat and I spoke about the changes in the publishing biz - how her 50+ historical and contemporary romance suspense novels have sold millions of copies - and the fact that some of her recent books have made the New York Times Bestseller list.

She says, "Living in Montana is tough though. You've got to survive the elements constantly." She and her husband Larry (Western author Larry Jay Martin) are always tending to their land filled with horses, wild turkeys, and other wild critters and to their home, which Larry and his sons lovingly built. The first year on the property, Kat and Larry lived in a trailer.

Kat is living her country dream. One she created when she moved here from California, close to 20 years ago. I urge you to watch Kat's 3-minute video and to listen to the 10-minute audio to find out more about Kat and her Montana life. Be sure to leave your comments for her!

Click here for AUDIO INTERVIEW.

- Nancy Mills, Founder of http://www.thespiritedwoman.com
Click here to read more of Nancy's posts.

Women of Montana - Horsewoman, Artist Shari Montana

Wow. Wow. Wow. Montana.

While I am here on my two week adventure, of course, I could write about the endless blue skies. The rivers that run through it. The friendly people who give the famously friendly Montana wave. Or I could focus on the history, museums, special nooks and crannies, and on and on. But, I have decided to write, take videos, and do audio recordings about the Women of Montana.

Believe you me, when I say they are a totally independent, fascinating, empowered, rugged bunch. And they're all over the place. So keep on checking into the blog. I'll upload regularly.

My first interview is with Shari Montana. Shari owns a 30+ acre place called the River Pines Farm on the outskirts of Missoula. She lovingly rescues horses, teaches equine assisted learning, is a highly-regarded artist known worldwide for her paintings and drawings of horses and women, and is an all-around SUPER WOMAN. I say this, because I am staying at Shari's farm right now, and I have watched her get up at sunrise and work until way beyond dusk - lifting 80-pound bails of hay, driving her tractor fearlessly, tending to her horses, cooking dinner and on and on. I get tired just writing about it.

It takes guts to live the life she leads with her family and numerous animals. And passion. And yes, there is a story behind her name. But, you need to watch the 2-minute video and listen to the 12-minute audio to find out what it is. Come on girls, get on your horse (wherever it may be - earth, dreams, visions) and join us for the ride! Meet Shari Montana and leave your comments for her!

Click here for AUDIO INTERVIEW.

For those of you who would like to contact Shari, she can be reached at shari@sharimontana.com or 406-207-6105.

- Nancy Mills, Founder of http://www.thespiritedwoman.com
Click here to read more of Nancy's posts.