Helena

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Carlos Joaquin, SBDC regional director
406-594-7487 | cjoaquin@mbac.biz

Carlos began his career at Apple, starting as an Apple Specialist and growing through a variety of roles over 15 years. Along the way, he gained deep experience in customer engagement, coaching, and leadership development—skills that continue to shape how he supports people and organizations today. Since moving to Helena seven years ago, he has worked with Rocky Mountain Credit Union and AlphaGraphics Helena, where he developed staff training, knowledge systems, and customer experience improvements.

Carlos is also active in the community, hosting Learning Lounge, Bullet Journal Club, and HLN Deep Roast Dialogues. He is passionate about helping small businesses grow with clarity and confidence.

 Jason Nitschke, Zero to Five senior child care business advisor
406-513-1115 |  jasonn@zerotofive.org

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Jason joins Zero to Five Montana as a senior child care business advisor after eight years in economic development as vice president with the Great Falls Development Authority and regional director of the Great Falls area Small Business Development Center. He will be delivering educational opportunities and one-on-one consultation support to entrepreneurs and communities starting, growing and expanding childcare and early education solutions.

Since 2014, he has advised and trained nearly 4,000 entrepreneurs and business professionals, helped start over 100 businesses, supported 2,800 jobs and helped in attracting nearly $75 million in capital investment into area businesses. He was the 2022 recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, a national award recognizing the top five presenters of the SBA’s introduction to entrepreneurship curriculum for active-duty military and veterans. In 2018, he was named the Montana State SBDC Star honoring the top 1% of business advisors in the U.S.

Prior to joining the economic development community, Jason owned two businesses and spent 16 years as a print and broadcast journalist. He is an award-winning broadcaster, a native Montanan and a proud daughter-dad. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in communication from Hawaii Pacific University-Honolulu.

He is a certified business advisor, economic development finance professional and certified Profit Mastery and PeerSpectives facilitator.