EBS STAFF
Big Sky Land Management was founded back when Big Sky was facing the devastating affects of pine beetles. Motivated by maintaining a healthy, wildfire-safe landscape, owners Danielle and Justin Miller grew what was once Big Sky Fire Prevention in 2005, into a large-scale excavation, building and utility installation company—they’ll handle everything outside except the landscaping in residential homes across Big Sky.
With a following of 46,000 on their Instagram page, Danielle and Justin are also brand ambassadors for Caterpillar, traveling around the country, and soon-to-be-world, to attend events on behalf of Caterpillar. “It’s an amazing opportunity and we are very grateful to be part of the Caterpillar team,” Danielle said of the partnership. Explore Big Sky talked with Danielle about working in Big Sky and with Big Sky residents, and the challenges they’re facing gracefully as the area grows.
This series is part of a paid partnership with the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. The following answers have been edited for brevity.
Explore Big Sky: Danielle, first tell me a little bit about yourself—what brought you to Big Sky?
Danielle Miller: Skiing and college. I was looking for a college close to a ski mountain and found Big Sky. During college, I met Justin and we moved in together three months later. I lived in Big Sky and commuted to Montana State University for three years while finishing my degree. After college I worked at the Big Sky Chamber for two-and-a-half years and left to help Justin grow Big Sky Land Management, which at the time was Big Sky Fire Prevention. That was 2015 and first day on the job we hired three more employees. Over the last nine years we have grown to 33 employees.
EBS: When did you and Justin decide to start BSLM? Did you see a need in the community?
DM: Justin started our business in 2005 while Big Sky was facing a devastating infestation of Pine Beetles. The pine beetle targeted Lodge Pole Pine trees and the trees started dying off in massive sections around Big Sky. Justin picked up a chainsaw and started helping landowners safely remove dead, dying and diseased trees. In 2012 we expanded our services to excavation to help fill the growing need of development in our community.
EBS: What has changed most in your industry since your founding, and how have you adapted to that change?
DM: Our biggest struggle is educating landowners about their forest and their land. We are constantly challenged to find more cost-effective ways to effectively remove trees. Thus, we have transitioned to using equipment including tracked mulchers and masticators. This has greatly reduced the time and cost to selectively thin large acres. Expanding our services to excavation also helped us provide more services so we can build driveways, trails and help build more homes.
EBS: For those unfamiliar, what kind of services do you offer and what is your most in demand in the area?
DM: We started as a forestry company and have expanded in excavation services. We specialize in excavating foundations, building driveways and installing utilities for custom, high-end, residential homes. We handle everything exterior of a home except for landscaping. We continue to provide forestry services and specifically thinning and fuel reduction for landowners in Montana.
EBS: What would you say sets you apart from other competitors?
DM: Being reliable, honest and nice. Justin is probably the nicest guy in town and knows almost everyone. His integrity and willingness to provide solutions has helped us grow to where we are today. We’ve hired people who hold similar values and thus have built a team of amazing people who are motivated to do a good job.
EBS: What do you love most about working with the people, businesses and homeowners of Big Sky?
DM: The challenge. Every property is different, and each owner has different wants and needs. The principals are the same, but we enjoy the challenge of making it unique for the homeowner. Sometimes this involves getting very creative and resourceful to complete projects. As Big Sky grows this is going to become more and more challenging as all the easy lots have been developed.
EBS: Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
DM: Next week, we’ll be at the farmers market and music in the mountains. On the weekends we’ll either be on the lake or river and in winter on the ski mountain or snowmobiling up Buck Ridge. Our philosophy is work hard, play hard.
EBS: What is some business advice you’ve received that has stuck with you?
DM: Understand your finances. When your business cash flows, it opens so much opportunity to make a business great including hiring great people and giving back to your community.
EBS: Anything else you’d like to tell the Big Sky community?
DM: No one is going to stop Big Sky from developing … but we can work together to grow sustainably and find solutions to common problems. We have amazing people in our community who help make Big Sky great by volunteering. Stay in touch and join our 45,000 followers on Instagram @Bigskylandmgmt.
