rYOUminate: A Small Business Lifeline for Young Adults 

Montana Houston, a dynamic, young entrepreneur founded rYOUminate– a coming-of-age company, focused on supporting an age group often expected to have life all “figured out”, yet faced with a lack of real-world information. While attending college, Montana recognized how quickly young adults were thrust into adult responsibilities, often with little preparation, and limited guidance. To fill this void, Montana created rYOUminate, pronounced ruminate. Designed to help 18–30-year-olds thrive, rYOUminate is dedicated to making the transition into adulthood smoother. Covering topics such as finances, personal wellness, relationships, and more, rYOUminate empowers young adults with information, in an easily accessible and comprehensive platform.  

Montana’s Mission 

As a college student, Montana Houston found the transition from high school youth to young adult a bit cumbersome. Now on her own, she recognized that it was her responsibility to take care of herself without depending on anyone else. Montana recounts going to a career fair at her college, in which she was not fully aware of the expectations: having a resume, an elevator pitch, nor was she updated on the dress code expectations. Montana states, “I didn’t know how to do any of these things.” She explains, “My family, who have a non-traditional path to education, have a totally different experience than my experience”. Without family experience to lean on, Montana went searching elsewhere.  

Looking for additional guidance, Montana thought about friends and peers, but they were learning how to be independent as well. Seeking out additional resources, Montana turned to online research. Unfortunately, most of the advice she found was for job seekers in senior leadership roles, management, and C-suite roles, with little information available for those, like her, who were just starting out. Montana eventually came across several advice columns that came off as condescending rather than informative for her age group. This set the stage for rYOUminate, and Montana’s mission to not only help herself, but help others have a more equitable, informative, and engaging experience.  

“I just really wanted to create the space for people going through that experience, like me, and have it be peer driven. You know, we learn from people, we learn over time, and if people don’t have family to turn to or prefer not to, they should still be able to have an experience that levels the playing field for them- that’s how it started.” 

Leveraging Business Impact NW To Grow rYOUminate 

Intent on having a good structure, insight, and community for rYOUminate, Montana reached out to Business Impact NW. Once matched with one of her business coaches, Lisa Nolan, she was able to participate in the Launch and Grow course. Although this class was based in Alaska, Montana was excited to start and move forward. “I was so eager to get started, and the community there was so welcoming,” she recalls. Montana leaned on business guidance through her coaches and classes to work down a checklist to be business ready. In addition, she also learned about target research, target markets, and local resources, like the Seattle Public Library.  

“I got so much information; it’s really a one-stop shop for budding entrepreneurs, and it’s been great!” 

In addition to working with Lisa, Montana has also worked with Jessica Conaway and Ericka Whitfield, as her business coaches and mentors. Through their support, Montana has stayed connected within the community and going to events, while continuously learning. She completed the Leveraging AI For Your Business Program and regularly receives newsletters. Along with educating herself as an entrepreneur, Montana had been looking for the right setting to start marketing rYOUminate. It was through the Business Impact NW newsletter that she discovered the Celebrating Dreams networking event, which provided the perfect setting to officially launch rYOUminate.  

Celebrating Dreams- Taking rYOUminate Dream To Reality 

Celebrating Dreams is a Business Impact NW event dedicated to showcasing and uplifting entrepreneurs. This vibrant event consists of passionate entrepreneurs, established business leaders, community supporters, and valuable resource suppliers sharing a unique platform to engage and network with other businesses. Celebrating Dreams provided the setting Montana had been looking for. “I’ve been looking for an opportunity to get out and promote rYOUminate, and honestly, it was motivation for me to make this dream a reality,”, Montana recounts.  

In preparation for showcasing at Celebrating Dreams, Montana went into overdrive. Having obtained her business license, she had two months to get rYOUminate ready for the event. She states, “Because of preparing for that showcase, I made more progress in the span of two months.” Montana had started rYOUminate to help her community navigate the difficulties of adulthood with ease. Through her showcase, she was able to see all her hard work pay off and network with other small businesses, at various stages of their journey- with the businesses motivating and empowering each other.  

Celebrating Community  

Celebrating Dreams features numerous businesses in a market-style setting, showcasing their unique businesses and products, and most importantly, connecting with each other. This atmosphere exudes jubilance and empowerment, with strangers becoming confidants and steadfast supporters. As she conversed with other businesses, Montana realized that all the businesses are positively impacted and supported by Business Impact NW. She was also able to meet her business coach, Ericka, for a sit-down conversation, and even took a picture together. She found the community that she had been looking for. 

“…so many different organizations that I got to collaborate and meet with following the event” 

Connecting, experiencing, and learning from each other is a highlight of enjoying Celebrating Dreams. Montana took this opportunity to talk with other businesses, listen to their stories, their drive, and their support. “I met with mental health coaches, life coaches, an organization, Valiant Health Solutions, that supports young adults… and I just found community,” she explains. Many entrepreneurs attended in support of other businesses, something that she found very impactful. Montana says, “Everyone was really supportive, wanted to collaborate with each other, and I made some great connections from it.” 

Building Connections  

Montana knew the importance of having an eye-catching showcase. Having balloons and a spinning table attracted many other entrepreneurs and supporters, one from Valiant Health Solutions. Dori Babcock, interested in what rYOUminate offers young people, stopped for a quick discussion. “People from teens to older “young adults” up to 30, could use more knowledge about life skills that they need to be successful,” she explained to Dori, “it helps people through life milestones, whether that’s homeownership or even just making healthy life decisions, like healthy eating choices.”

As a business owner, Montana is uniquely attuned to the needs of serving her community equitably. “I have the mission to serve as many people as possible.” Connecting with Dori, helped Montana to better serve her target audience, and led to a meeting between to two business owners. Montana was also able to embark on other meetings stemmed from connections at Celebrating Dreams. Rebecca Sauls, owner of Rebecca Sauls, LLC, invited Montana for a coffee chat. There, the business owners discussed balancing the many roles of being an entrepreneur- such as sales, marketing, and more- and set future goals, agreeing to act as accountability partners.  

“It’s been a really amazing connection that I wouldn’t have if I had not participated in the Celebrating Dreams showcase.” 

The Future of rYOUminate  

A true trailblazer, Montana exudes what it means to be an entrepreneur.  She found a way to bridge the gap in information distribution between a younger generation who is still learning and an older generation who learned through hands-on experience that isn’t as prevalent in a more digital world. In addition, Montana made one of many important connections through her work with Business Impact NW. Connecting with other businesses has provided the opportunity for rYOUminate to grow and advance.  

Soon, Montana will be embarking on a speaking engagement with Valient Health Solutions for their early adult cohort group. This community of  clients will be hearing a presentation created by Montana, as well as her getting feedback from this specific community to enhance rYOUminate’s presence and informational reach. rYOUminate makes it easy for young adults to access relevant information, in a comprehensive, user-friendly setting. With Montana as the driving force behind this company, it will only continue to grow as she strives to offer a supportive atmosphere focused on information driven by young adults, made for young adults.   

IMPACT Pitch 

After the success of her business showcasing event, Montana was invited to participate in IMPACT Pitch. IMPACT Pitch is Business Impact NW’s annual pitch event for businesses of all stages, from start-up to established. During this event, participant businesses will go through multiple rounds of competition, culminating in the final live round. During this final round, business owners will pitch their business and products live, in an exciting atmosphere, to local businesses, sponsors, and industry leaders. As business are complete the pitching competition, there is a vote, and winners receive cash prizes! IMPACT Pitch hosts a beautiful night with an energetic atmosphere, full of networking, great food, and a supportive business community. 

At the suggestion of her coach, Montana entered this year’s competition. Excited about all rYOUminate offers young adults, Montana was able to work through her application packet, learning more about running her business as she went. Her dream of assisting others so that they do not experience her struggles, and, instead, equipped with knowledge, is paying off. rYOUminate won the Community Impact Award- demonstrating, that as an entrepreneur, Montana is making a positive impact in her community. We recognize her ingenuity and drive as a young, successful, and now, award-winning entrepreneur. 

 

Want to learn more about free business coaching for your business? Click here.  

Interested in learning more about our events? For more information on how to participate in Celebrating Dreams, click here. 

Interested in attending IMPACT Pitch? Check here for more information. Tickets go on sale August 30^th.