One of my favorite things to do is make connections. In Montana, where I am convinced there are only two degrees of separation, it is especially fun. It seems to me that the more abstract the connection, the more exciting it can be. This was one of those unpredictable matches that combined my friends, colleagues, recreation, family, products I love, health, adventure and business … an unlikely combination to say the least!

In this case, there is Jason Mittelstaedt, whom I have known and worked with for something like 15 years (he was CMO at RightNow Technologies). We’re perpetually trying to figure out how to work together. He is currently helping out a cool, Montana-based start-up called Voke TAB, among other things.

There is Elke Govertsen and Dori Gilels from Mamalode. Elke calls me her “business crush” and I’ve had the pleasure of working with them on their dreams and visions for Mamalode on occasion. (My primary contribution is a fairly recurring question regarding how they might make money on that particular idea because I, selfishly, want to keep reading Mamalode).

I’ve enjoyed their company at events all over the state (Montana Economic Summit, Montana Women’s Foundation Powerhouse Launch, HATCH, and Montana Equal Pay Summit) where they represent the best of Montana entrepreneurs.

There is Kalen Caughey, Voke’s Founder and President, who I met at a dinner in Butte at Lydia’s organized by one of the all-time great connectors, Jack Manning at Dorsey & Whitney.  

Of course we spent most of our time talking about skiing.

A supporting player would be my son Eric, a world class ski racer, biker and all around adventurer, whom I rely on for research on all things. After meeting Kalen, I bought Eric some Voke TABs at the Bozeman Co-op (I think I put them in his stocking for Christmas) and asked him to check out the ingredients and try the tabs and let me know what he thought.  

He gave Voke the thumbs up and requested more.

Fast forward to the Montana Equal Pay Summit where I was eating breakfast with Elke and Dori the morning after a fairly late night at the Finlen. We were discussing their upcoming themes and sponsors and I offered to share my Voke TABs before we were to go on stage (energy and focus generally being a good thing on stage).

That’s when the proverbial lightbulb switched on: Mamalode and Voke are a perfect match!  Mamalode provides incredible content for badass, get’r’done moms. Badass moms can always use more energy (know any mom, EVER, who says they get enough sleep?). Voke TABs are a great source of healthy and convenient energy (I’ve been on their Voke-A-Day Reload program since they pre-launched it last winter). I immediately arranged the introduction between Mamalode and VOKE and Kalen, Jason, Elke and Dori took it from there.

For me, my next adventure embodies some of the same kind of connections. My 20-year-old daughter, Tara, and I are leaving this month to climb Kilimanjaro together. I can’t wait.  

The last time I did any meaningful hiking was just after Tara was born and hiking was my activity of choice on maternity leave. What started as kind of a random event (I mistakenly bid for the trip at a fundraiser), is turning into a trip of a lifetime. My daughter and I have been training together for four months – mostly hiking, yoga and paddle board. I have a theme song Wavin’ Flag by K’naan that I discovered watching my nieces perform a modern dance. The lyrics, “when I get older, I will be stronger” seem to fit this scenario. (Elke and Dori, you may have to add it to your playlist). The climb is 18 miles long and 13,000 feet of elevation gain to the highest peak in Africa at 19,370. I have a strong suspicion my Voke TABs will come in handy.

Do you know a Badass Mom? Nominate them here!

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About the Author

Susan Carstensen

Susan Carstensen, mother of Eric and Tara, is a serial CFO, COO and Board Member for non-profit, private and publicly traded organizations in Montana and across the U.S. When Susan isn’t hiking with her daughter, at an alpine ski race cheering on her son, or entertaining friends and family at Flathead Lake, she is probably in the Board Room with one of the 10 or so organizations she is currently advising.