Missoula – February is Black History Month. It is a time to learn, listen, & reflect, and it’s also the perfect time to support local, Black-owned businesses. Today, we spoke with a local entrepreneur about his personal journey as a business owner in the Garden City community.
One of Montana’s Black-owned businesses is Bestie Bottle, co-owned by Akono Hite, a Missoulian who launched the business less than a year ago.
Bestie Bottle is a company that makes water bottles with pet-bowls right in the design, so that you and your furry friend stay hydrated while enjoying our Big Sky Country’s great outdoors.
The business launched less than a year ago, and has already enjoyed great success in Missoula, Kalispell, and even California.
Bestie Bottle isn’t Hite’s only entrepreneurial venture – he also has a company called Blaze Bag which has been around for about three years.
Hite said, “Anybody who has that entrepreneurial burn inside, I want to see them succeed. I don’t care if they black, white, Asian, Mexican. If you want to be an entrepreneur and you want to start a business, we in America, this is what, this is what we’re supposed to do here. Make it happen and I will support you.”
Hite and his business partner, Aline, are the hustle, brains, and entire team behind this business. “We work really well together. You know, I code and she does the design. We both come up with our marketing plans and execute them well,” explained Hite.
The Bestie Bottle and Blaze Bag are for sale at local shops throughout Missoula. Hite says that he’s grateful for his success and encourages other entrepreneurs to give the Garden City a chance.
“If you Black and you want to start a business, come to Missoula!”
