In this episode of The Founder’s Backroom, we sit down with Sherry Hanson-Smith, owner of Shine Montana, to talk about the experiences that shaped her journey.

After going through divorce, becoming a stay-at-home mom, working part-time from home, and finding herself in the food stamp line wondering how she would keep the power on, Sherry began to see something differently:

The businesses, founders, and organizations around us do far more than simply make money. They help create jobs, support nonprofits, fund community programs, and provide resources that families depend on.

Years later, personal loss would push her toward an even bigger mission.

After a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer—and her friend’s brother was diagnosed with throat cancer and later passed away—Sheri reached a point where waiting was no longer an option.

“We have to do this. We have to do it now.”

That sense of urgency became part of a larger journey into marketing, nonprofit events, community-building, and the work she now does through Shine Montana.

In this conversation, Sherry shares the struggles behind the work, what changed her perspective on business, and how painful life experiences can become the catalyst for serving something bigger than yourself.

🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode here:
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The Founder’s Backroom goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the struggles, sacrifices, decisions, and personal transformation behind the people building businesses and making an impact in their communities.

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In the first episode of The Founders Backroom, hosts Jon Biddle and Philip Agyeman-Budu sit down with Michaela, founder of Rent Montana and other growing businesses.

Michaela opens up about facing addiction at an early age, going to rehab at 16, carrying the weight of other people’s opinions, and discovering that some of the people around her expected—or even wanted—her to fail.

This is not just a conversation about business success.

It is a conversation about becoming the person capable of building something meaningful.

Inside this episode:

Michaela’s early experience with addiction and recovery
Why quitting would have been the easier choice
The pressure of being judged and underestimated
How personal transformation affects business growth
Building successful companies without seeking the spotlight
Why no problem is truly unsolvable
The resilience, faith, and mindset behind entrepreneurship

The Founders Backroom goes beyond revenue, recognition, and polished success stories to uncover the personal battles, sacrifices, decisions, and transformations behind the businesses people see.

Subscribe for honest conversations with founders from Billings, Montana, and beyond.

Presented by BLP Creative Studio.

#TheFoundersBackroom #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #BusinessLeadership #AddictionRecovery #RentMontana #BillingsMT #BLPCreativeStudio