We were lucky to catch up with Montana Tohm recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Montana , thanks for joining us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

I absolutely love traveling!

I have traveled to 16 countries, 8 provinces (Canada) and 32 states (USA).

The world has so much to teach us. I have been inspired by so many things on my travels, which have directly impacted both my business and personal life. I think taking vacations wether it’s to your couch with a Netflix binge or a trip to Paris, France is so important! Not only for your mental health but your physical health as well. TAKE A BREAK!

Life is far too short to spend every second doing everything for everyone else. Learn to have enough self awareness to know when you need to stop and just breathe.

Taking a vacation does not need to cost money. Look up free things to do in your city and have a staycation. Visit with your loved ones, try something new, or go outside. Doing the things you love with the people who bring you joy can be a vacation in itself.

I am so grateful to have the memories of my trips they are my favourite thing to day dream about when I am having a bad day. I push myself away from my Computer, close my eyes and dream about the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle, the feeling of jumping out of a plane in Cuba or learning to make cheese in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Montana Tohm A True Social (Media) Butterfly

Social Butterfly is a social media management and consulting firm. Helping clients harness the powers of online marketing.

Originally from Canada, Montana currently resides in Virginia, USA. She previously owned and operated the largest dog training, exercise and boarding facility “Halifetch” on the east coast of Canada. She managed to operate the company for two years completely remote while she moved down to the USA before selling it for profit in 2020. She moved to Savannah, GA and become the Development Director for the Humane Society for Greater Savannah. Under that role she was the media liaison, fundraising strategist and lead marketer. While at HSGS she also had previously held the roles of volunteer coordinator, foster coordinator and food pantry coordinator. She increased fundraising for HSGS over 80 percent, formed new partnerships, created reoccurring streams of income, created 6-10 events per month and developed 15 new programs. She decided to leave HSGS to start Social Butterfly to expand her reach in aiding in the business development of her community. Montana has helped countless clients in Savannah grow their business, make new connections and form a strong brand identity by utilizing social media correctly. She recently decided to move to Virginia after meeting someone and is so excited to explore this new market. She loves that VA is halfway between Canada and Savannah.

Montana continues to serve on the Board of Keep Savannah Beautiful for the city of Savannah and is an active member of the Jaycees. She was previously an Ambassador for the Savannah Chamber of Commerce and a Board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the Young Professional Chair position. Serving her community has always been a top priority for her. She currently volunteers with the Virginia Food Bank and the Gloucester Commonwealth Senior Living Facility. She previously volunteered at the Savannah Wildlife Rescue Center, Fuzzy Therapy Miniature horses, Renegade Paws Rescue, Toronto Humane Society, Thrive Senior Homes. She spends as much time with animals as she does enjoying the outdoors.

She has been featured on The Great Canadian Women Podcast, CEMA (Chatham Emergency Management Agency) Y’all Ready For This Podcast, Mia Mance Trending Topics, Mark Robertson 98.7 The River, CTV, WTOC, WSAV, Fox28, Connect Savannah, Savannah Morning News, WJCL, Pinkblitz Magazine, Ogeechee River Keeper, Savannah Magazine, and Femme Bought.

Montana has most recently been nominated for “Best Resident of Savannah” for 2022 via Connect Savannah.

“I love our community and I am so excited to help your business contribute to its growth.”

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

After almost 10 years of operating my first business Halifetch and running it for two years completely remote I sold it.

Selling it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I decided to sell it because when I moved to a different country and began running it completely remote with the help of the most amazing team I lost joy in it. Running it remote ment I was only doing the back end tasks of the business instead of interacting with my staff and customers in person.

In the beginning my first business brought me an immense amount of joy, I never felt like I was working. The famous saying love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life it’s incredibly true.

But when I moved that joy began to disappear. It was never about money for me it has always been about happiness.

When I made the decision to sell it was important to me that my clients who had been with me since the beginning were well taken care of. I have had some amazing opportunities in life because of their business and I will forever be grateful for that.

I ended up selling the business to my top staff member and close friend in Halifax, NS. I knew this was the best decision for my clients and staff members. The business now runs under the name Shaggy Pup Dog Walking and it brings me so much joy to see it thriving.

I think it’s incredibly important to realize when something in life stops bringing you joy especially when it’s something you love. It’s ok to outgrow things in life.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

1. Network Network Network!
As a former Ambassador for the Savannah Chamber of Commerce I can confidently say how much joining a chamber and local networking groups can help your business. Do your research on the people in the room and who you want to talk to.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Showing humility when you are a business owner at times is incredibly important.

3. Ask for meetings with people who you may feel are above your league. The worse they can do is say no. I have learned so much from high level executives from asking them to coffee or for an email address.

4. Act and dress like you want to be treated. Walk into a room like you deserve to be there even when it’s scary.

5. Give back, you invest in your community and it will invest in you. #DoGood

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesocialbutterflysav.com/
• Instagram: https://www.thesocialbutterflysav.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socialbutterflysav?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://instagram.com/montana__tohm?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Photographer Bunny Ware