biography | Julie Foster
Raised a country girl and spending her formidable years on a chicken farm in Arkansas, Julie consistently demonstrated two things about her character.
First, she always made the effort to study the changing market for which she was interested (farming). Investing her meager earning at the livestock auction in order to buy then sell at a profit those animals that were bringing in the highest ratio of profit at the optimum marketing time.
Second, against the advice of others, Julie would often take a portion of her profits and buy an animal at auction whom she just wanted to take care of as a respected and honored member of the family, i.e. one very sick and another very old horse or goats that no one else wanted etc.. Julie always wanted to help and feel a responsibility for making someone else’s life better and happier.
After having traveled across rural America she was especially smitten by and soon became a resident of Montana in 1984 at the age of 20. Since that time Julie has contributed to her learning experiences and to the benefit of others in numerous ways. She served in early employment positions as an agricultural laborer, a Para-legal secretary and as a licensed semi-truck driver for a household moving company.
Soon becoming interested in technology she purchased a personal computer in 1988. She was immediately consumed with the very idea and potential of using technology to advance an entrepreneurial spirit in a rural state that historically had the lowest or next to the lowest per-capita income in the nation.
In 1989 Julie became publisher of the successful “Bitter Root Times Almanac,” a Montana regional magazine publication using 100% digital production assets to design, layout and proof for final copy print. One of a very few in the entire country doing such work digitally to that extent.
Following her successful 2 year publishing venture she became interested in the boom of the Montana real estate market. Obtaining her certification and real estate license Julie mastered an extended skill-set where she could further measure and analyze the real estate market and business in general in Montana during the early nineties.
During 1995 with the advent of public access to the Internet, Julie engineered one
of Montana’s first successful Internet Service Provider (ISP) businesses. Bitterroot Internet provided early Internet access to a 100 mile corridor through western the Montana mountains known as the Bitterroot Valley. Later, dialup services were extended to an even larger regional market.
Having sought after and successfully achieving her certificate as a Certified
Microsoft Network Systems Engineer. Julie determined to use this modern Internet
technology combined with her experience and training to build business concepts
which could be models for modern rural business in disadvantaged areas.
Julie continues to operate and expand her small Internet business consulting and hosting services ( Online Systems Development, inc., dba SITE-SMART Small Business Services ). She continues to experience a great deal of satisfaction in working with those who are thinking about a small business startup or those with existing brick and mortar or pure play Internet business ventures. She works diligently with other cottage industries developing business plans and opportunities via the Internet and on the ground.
One of Julie’s ventures which she has great enthusiasm is “Montana Jobs Network” which she founded in 2001. Together with its affiliated programs and applications, (MJN) is what drives her to spend time and energy well beyond what might be considered
reasonable dedication.
A [ 501 (c) 3 ] non-profit charitable organization, MJN provides a high quality and
comprehensive Montana centric talent portal and affiliated projects and programs. MJN and its various programs are geared to supporting, attracting and retaining highly
skilled human capital for the benefit of Montana and its communities.
Julie’s professional objectives include using her talents for the benefit of
others. Networking and relationship building, project development and management
activities, working within team based environments, all are roles she enjoys.
She has delighted in the challenge of forming partnerships which lead to successful
business opportunities throughout the State of Montana. Julie has had the
opportunity to serve as guest speaker and panel member at the “Multi-State Pacific
Northwest Economic Development Conference” in Spokane Washington.
In 2002 Julie submitted a successful proposal through the “Montana Economic Developers Association” and the “Qwest Foundation’s Building A Better Economy” grant.
This grant led “Montana Jobs Network” to launch “Come Home Montana.”
An innovative rural human capacity building resource that shares information
between communities and those that wish to make a Montana community their home.
Julie was awarded a successful “USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant” to implement “Montana Business Culture 101,” a distributed e-learning soft-skills course for introductory “Communication & Team Skills, Problem Solving, Adapting to Change, and Work Habits & Ethics,” for the benefit of small Montana business and their employees.
During 2003 she was invited by the “Qwest Foundation” to submit a proposal for additional funding to continue and expand the highly successful “Come Home Montana project.”
I the Fall of 2004 - Julie attended “Helping Small Towns II - Tools For
Community Survival”, in Jackson Hole WYO. The 5 day workshop provided courtesy of the “Montana Community Foundation” scholarship was taught by the “Heartland Center”. The training program curriculum subject was “Community Leadership Development.” Currently utilized by Julie to share information with others and to expand and enhance existing programs within Montana.
In 2005 - Julie attended “NxLevel” ( pronounced - next level ) business training for certification in teaching small businesses and potential business cooperatives, the processes and procedures for organizing and conducting successful business ventures.
Julie has enjoyed developing personal relationships and active partnerships with many of Montana’s public and private organizations. She has received generous financial and in-kind contributions for her efforts in the continuation and proliferation of the programs which she is involved.
Some of those associations include:
First Interstate Bank, the Qwest Foundation, D.A. Davidson Companies, Mid-Rivers Communications, Montana World Trade Center, Bear Paw Development Corporation, Montana Economic Developers Association, Montana Associated Technology Roundtables, The University of Montana Alumni Association, Montana State University Alumni Association, Montana Community Foundation, The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and many others of equal importance.
Julie has enjoyed working with and participating in these very important Montana
organizations past and present:
Appointed by Governor Martz to the Montana State Workforce Investment Board
Member of the Montana Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA).
Member of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the Board.
Founder / Chair - Business Network & Mentor Group - Bitterroot Valley
Chamber of Commerce.
Actively participates in Montana Associated Technology Roundtables.
5 year Board Member for the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority.
Volunteer for MEDA - Community Resource Assessment Teams.
Montana Cooperative Development Center, serving as a Technical Assistant for Ravalli, Deer Lodge and Granite counties.
Stevensville Main Street Association - Board Member.
Charter Member - Pioneer Entrepreneurs.
Executive Director - Ravalli County Economic Development Authority
Awards Received:
2003 - Western Business News 40 under Forty Award, in recognition of 1 of 40
business people under 40 who are working, living and making a difference in the
community and the Montana economy.
2004 - Montana State Workforce Investment Board - Governor’s Desiree Taggart
Memorial Award for Workforce Development in the category of individual workforce development achievement. This award is given to Montana workforce development organizations, businesses and individuals to recognize and award outstanding contributions to workforce development in Montana.
2004 Business Advocate Award presented by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Et cetera
Julie and the various programs she is involved has numerous publications
cover and publish information regarding the many programs which she
tirelessly supports.
Julie has stated that her vision is that entrepreneurs and small business in
Montana and elsewhere will lead boldly, exploring new business methods and cultivating an environment for entrepreneurship to flourish.
She now has made another personal commitment to extend herself and her considerable resources to others across America and Canada and globally who would benefit from her experiences and knowledge.
Summary of Julie’s personal credentials, experience and other accomplishments & professional milestones: And why you should care ?
Find out why Julie Foster is the person whom you want to be instrumental in helping you to succeed with your online or brick and mortar business venture.
Montana Jobs Network growth rate within its subscriber services range from a 200% to 400% increase respectively, in usage for the past 2 years.
Julie has organized a high profile well engaged “MJN Advisory Group” who provides leadership and mentoring to “Montana Jobs Network.”
“Montana Jobs Network” is a catalyst for innovative human capacity building. The MJN community is made up of talented individuals and entrepreneurs that increase Montana’s productivity and create diversity in people and economies. “Montana Jobs Network” web site now has over 12,000 unique visitors each month. MJN mailing list is comprised of in excess of 3000 individuals that wish to live and work in Montana.
The “Come Home Montana” CHM project is a grand example of a program that utilizes technology, Internet forums, website database and face to face workshops to provide outreach to communities, entrepreneurs and Alumni that would enjoy doing business in Montana.
“Come Home Montana” is listed as a success story on the “National Rural Development Partnership” website.
United States Senator Conrad Burns includes “Come Home Montana” in his eNewsletter approximately once each month.
Julie worked with through the generosity of the “University of Montana Alumni Association” to get “Come Home Montana” placed in their publication, “Montanan”, distributed to over 60,000 Montana Alumni.
Planned, facilitated, and delivered seventeen “Come Home Montana” workshops in ninety-six communities across Montana in 18 months.
“Montana Jobs Network” was a collaborator and resource partner on a “Kellogg Foundation” grant that was submitted August 13, 2004. The “Montana World Trade Center” was the lead organization. Both the “University of Montana” and “Montana State University” were partners along with many other respected organizations. The objective of this grant was to build the “Montana Entrepreneurship System.”
Julie provided technical assistance in project planning, budget development, and grant writing for the “Bitterroot Valley Food Cooperative’s” successful application to the “Montana Growth Through Agriculture Plan.”
She recently developed a statewide economic development project, “Montana Business Preservation”, which has the support of all of the Certified Regional Development Corporations, The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Cooperative Development Center as well as local economic development organizations and one unassigned county.
“Inland Northwest Partners” invited MJN Executive Director, Julie Foster to Spokane, Washington to speak at their Annual Meeting about “Montana Jobs Network” and “Come Home Montana”. Julie has been contacted by economic developers in Washington, Oregon and Maine who wish to implement portions of these successful programs.
Julie was a successful contractor with “Montana Cooperative Development Corporation.” She doubled the contract amount for the 2005-2006 year.
Successful contractor with The Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.
Multiple successful applications to corporate foundations.
Created a local Business Networking Group in Ravalli County. The informal gathering is a conversation catalyst for Bitterroot Valley entrepreneurs on topics important to personal and professional growth.
Training, Certifications & Learning Opportunities:
“National Development Council,” Economic Development Finance 101 | Boston, Massachusetts.
“National Development Council,” Economic Development Finance 201 – Business Credit Analysis | Atlanta, Georgia.
“International Economic Development Council,” Introduction to Economic Development | Great Falls, Montana.
“Helping Small Towns II - Tools For Community Survival” Heartland Center for Leadership Development | Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
“NxLevel” Helping entrepreneurs reach the Next Level of success | Great Falls, Montana.
“Montana Cooperative Development Center.” Legal structure of cooperatives and other business models | Fort Benton, Montana.
“Cooperation Works,” The Art and Science of creating new cooperative businesses | Madison, Wisconsin.
“Western Worker Cooperative Development Conference.” | Detroit, Oregon.
“SBIR / STTR Proposal Preparation Workshop.” Cost Proposal & Accounting Workshop | Missoula, Montana.
“Montana Aerospace Conference” | Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer [ MCSE+Internet ]
Microsoft Excel – Advanced Training | Missoula, Montana.
TRIVIA QUESTION!
What happens when you Google these (4) words?
1st word- Julie
2nd word- Foster
3rd word- Montana
4th word- Jobs
You will learn why page after page of search engine results reflect a dedication to helping others and a sincerity for the welfare for our communities so well expressed by her deeds.
TRIVIA QUESTION!
What is proof of genuine interest and commitment?
At age 21 when Julie first started the “Bitter Root Times Almanac” regional magazine in the late 80’s, she joined the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. She was so motivated by the importance of being a BVCC member and wanting to observe that importance she was determined to display the little cardboard membership placard but had no office or store-front in which to do so.
She quickly overcame this obstacle by including the BVCC placard with her other materials so that it could be displayed when-ever and where-ever she contacted her business customers.
TRIVIA QUESTION!
What’s in a name anyway?
When asked to write a small biography of herself and her family for one of the programs which she is involved, Julie mentions her 2 Jack Russell Terriers by name ( Lucy & Charlie ). She then thanked her husband for all his support ( No name was given for him ).
Because Julie said she was just to embarrassed to write about herself, she asked that this short biography be prepared by me, her husband.
“no name given” 
Online Systems Development, Inc.