Blossoming From Social Media Posts Into A Movement
by Cassidy Mantor
Jenna Gilliland and Lindsey Steyee are both mothers, wives, and women in business. They found a similar desire to contribute to their community above and beyond their regular involvement through work and parenting. What if they interviewed other women in business and once a week highlighted them on their social media, they wondered.
“What if we could create a new mindset where we all come alongside each other, and not that we need each other to be successful, but that through our sisterhood we could help each other grow?”
–Jenna Gilliland, Co-Founder, Fierce & Fabulous
They envisioned using their platform running a real estate office to tag powerhouse women and try to generate more traffic to their subject’s socials and businesses. In doing so, Jenna and Lindsey hoped they would forge new relationships with accomplished women and better serve the Flathead Valley.
“Coming up in the cutthroat corporate world, I found that my biggest challenges have been other women,” Jenna shares. “It’s unfortunate, but instead of coming together to lift one another up and to collaborate, women tend to compete.” Whether that was subconscious or intentional, Jenna and Lindsey were curious if that paradigm could be changed. They asked, “What if we could create a new mindset where we all come alongside each other, and not that we need each other to be successful, but that through our sisterhood we could help each other grow?”
That is the premise for Fierce and Fabulous, the Flathead Valley’s movement of fiercely strong and fabulously cool women who have set out to create a space where everyone has a seat at the table. Through their weekly interviews of incredible women, they have created a ripple effect that has turned into a wave of connection, inspiration, and impact. Beyond networking, Fierce and Fabulous is building a culture of empowerment, belonging, and unstoppable momentum and proving that when women support each other, there’s nothing they can’t accomplish.
HOW IT STARTED
The women they interviewed shared powerful stories. They’d gone through health issues, dealt with loss, challenges with childbirth, and motherhood, among other personal battles. Consistent themes emerged articulating women’s innovation and resilience.
Enter Amy Zenone, the third Fierce and Fabulous board member. Amy and Jenna met through social media, went to coffee, and hit it off instantly. They started working closely together in Q4 of 2024.
“The interview felt great and made it clear this was something I wanted to be involved in more,” Amy recalls. “I didn’t feel there was a hidden agenda or that there were any strings attached or like they wanted something more from me. I felt like they genuinely cared about me and what I do and wanted to highlight me out of the goodness of their hearts.”
“Everyone has a seat at the table and there’s room for everyone. It’s not exclusive. We know women can have thoughts like, ‘I don’t belong here or I haven’t done enough, I’m a stay-at-home mom and that’s not enough,’ but we don’t want you to feel that here. We don’t believe that.”
–Jenna Gilliland, Co-Founder, Fierce & Fabulous
Amy’s experience was aligned with the other women who had been spotlighted. After being interviewed, they wanted to get more involved. Amy suggested that in the following year they could do quarterly events starting with when Fierce and Fabulous turned one year old in January. The rest is herstory.
FIERCE & FABULOUS TURNS ONE
In November of 2024, Jenna, Lindsey, and Amy asked floral designer and entrepreneur Savannah Gentry if she would want to be a part of the board. Absolutely, she said. She’d always felt called to utilize her platform and give back to the community, but she didn’t know where to start. With their fourth board member in place, they came together and began planning quarterly events.
Jenna admits that she hadn’t considered doing events because she and Lindsey were focused on consistently fresh content. When Amy and Savannah joined, they became the Fab Four and were infused with new energy and ideas. At the very beginning, there were a lot of questions around what Fierce and Fabulous was all about; people didn’t understand how this was different from other women’s networking groups. Now a year later, it is particularly satisfying hearing colleagues explain to others what Fierce and Fabulous is about. Jenna says, “There’s more to business than just business. We are so proud of celebrating our one year mark and continuing to get this message out and grow the movement.”
In January of 2025, Fierce and Fabulous held its first quarterly event at Savannah’s shop in Columbia Falls, Forage and Floral. Their expectation for the event was humble. They hoped people came and that they would have a good time. They hoped the event would show the intention of Fierce and Fabulous as a place where connections and community could grow.
MORE THAN 50 WOMEN ATTENDED.
The overarching feedback from guests was that this was the first event they’d gone to that didn’t feel like it had an agenda. Jenna shares, “The ladies shared that it didn’t feel like we were trying to sell them something. It truly was just women coming alongside each other with no judgment or competition. We’re all out here trying. How can we help each other?”
The women who attended came from all different industries. Lenders, estheticians, hair stylists, small business owners, agents, and executives. All of their conversations were about their families, their kids, and their businesses.
In addition to the common discussion points, there was a consistent response among the group. “I know someone to help you with that, let me connect you,” was heard throughout the space. It was a beautiful full circle moment that provided the promise of a community ready to support the things women love most and was unlike anything else they’d experienced.
“For us, it was important that you don’t have to pay to play,” Jenna says. Fierce and Fabulous events are always free to attend. They are thrilled to collaborate with incredible women they’ve previously highlighted, who will be hosting and sharing their stories. While the event itself is complimentary, some activities may feature services they offer.
“Everyone has a seat at the table and there’s room for everyone,” Jenna references in their mission statement. “It’s not exclusive. We know women can have thoughts like, ‘I don’t belong here or I haven’t done enough, I’m a stay-at-home mom and that’s not enough,’ but we don’t want you to feel that here. We don’t believe that.”
PLANTING THE SEEDS
After the event, people reached out through social media who had learned about Fierce and Fabulous through someone else they followed. Jenna has subsequently had coffee with those women to discuss how they can join the movement.
All of us are moms and we have girls, and it’s crazy how times have changed and what need there is to help kids today navigate a different climate with social media today.”
–Jenna Gilliland, Co-Founder, Fierce & Fabulous
The quarterly events are the best way to get involved right now, but to bridge the gap between the quarterly events, Fierce and Fabulous will be creating a community directory to share each other’s info. Additionally, there has been interest in mentorship for women starting up their own businesses. “A lot of us have run many businesses so we could help walk alongside or advise new founders,” Jenna shares. “We’re not looking to make money from this. The reward is helping other women.”
One of the women who reached out to Jenna was a lady in her mid 50s who was getting out of the corporate sector and starting her own business. She expressed doubt about being older than most of the women at the event, but the inspirational message transcended generations and she wanted to be part of the action. Jenna remarked how proud of her she was for going out on the limb and connecting. “It was a particularly special moment realizing the power of what we have built and how it continues to blossom,” Jenna reflects.
One of Fierce and Fabulous’ long term goals is to start a nonprofit. Many of the attendees at the event shared concerns about how their kids were getting bullied, so creating an infrastructure of resources for teens and programs that support girls’ mental health is on the agenda as well. “All of us are moms and we have girls, and it’s crazy how times have changed and what need there is to help kids today navigate a different climate with social media today,” Jenna says. “Girls can be mean, and unfortunately, it starts young.”
In the spirit of Fierce and Fabulous’ socially inclusive approach, Jenna brought her 11 year old daughter and some of her girlfriends to the event. “It was important for me that she was there because I want our girls to see what we’re doing and how we’re surrounding each other, so that they also understand the importance of doing that as well in their own circles and with their own peers,” Jenna explains.
Sky’s the limit as Jenna says. Fierce and Fabulous has taken off and continues to soar.
THE VALUE CULTIVATED
Over the past year, Lindsey has left the interviews feeling emotionally charged. “Doing them has tapped into my empathy on a new level. I love what we’re doing because I learn from their stories and see ways to apply it to my own life,” she shares.
“Being on the board of Fierce of Fabulous is a feeling I can’t even fully describe; it refills my cup getting to meet amazing women from all walks of life who have so many talents and are beautiful inside and out! It’s something my younger self would be so proud of me for.”
–Savannah Gentry, Board Member, Fierce & Fabulous
“I leave our interviews with a sense of responsibility – how can I write up their stories and do justice to their accomplishments and how cool they are,” Jenna says. The feedback is always mindful, even when the team feels like they didn’t even scratch the surface about what wisdom the women had to share. Jenna has led many teams and is fueled by seeing people do amazing things. She adds, “Their joy at feeling heard and experiencing the cohesion when women come together from seemingly different areas and walks of life is very rewarding.”
Lindsey observes that it’s one thing to write your own bio and talk about yourself, but there is value in the perspective shared by people who just listen to your story. “When does someone take the time to tell us how we are perceived and encourage us?” she asks. “In the interviews, we reflect how great they’re doing and what fantastic people they are – that is valuable for us as women to hear. We don’t hear ‘you’re doing a good job’ nearly enough.”
Savannah states, “Being on the board of Fierce of Fabulous is a feeling I can’t even fully describe; it refills my cup getting to meet amazing women from all walks of life who have so many talents and are beautiful inside and out! It’s something my younger self would be so proud of me for and would have loved to have the opportunity that we are giving women in the Flathead Valley!” All four women articulate how fulfilling it is to witness the interviews and cultivate deeper connections.
IN BLOOM
Although building something from the ground up is a remarkable fete, women are creative by nature. It comes as no surprise that four women who came together with similar conviction were able to plant a seed that continues to evolve and blossom.
Fierce and Fabulous understands that women desire to not just be looked at, but that they want to feel seen. “I think women crave that most from other women,” Jenna notes. “We’re harder on each other as women, and Fierce and Fabulous is trying to break down that barrier.” She imagines how much more we could do together if we change how we relate with one another.
“Just because I win doesn’t mean you lose; we can both win,” she says. Even if in the same field, they know that they may not always be the right fit for everyone, nor is the next woman. “If they don’t choose me, I hope they choose you, and vice versa.” As for the woman Jenna had coffee with the other day, she put her in touch with two other people who could help her in her startup journey. Full of gratitude, she says, “It’s so rewarding; you leave feeling like you actually made a difference.”
“I’m always happy to take someone to coffee and/or talk on the phone. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished in this first year and we’re excited to share Fierce and Fabulous with more people.”
–Jenna Gilliland, Co-Founder, Fierce & Fabulous
Reflecting on their year milestone, the Fab Four acknowledge that there was skepticism that there was a hidden sales agenda since it was born out of a real estate office. “There was hesitation from the women we reached out to about what we would take away from the interviews,” Amy shares. “As women, we’re conditioned to accept situations where there’s so frequently strings attached, and that doesn’t have to be true. We really aren’t taking anything away from this other than interviewing and posting stories and sharing in this feminine wisdom.”
As the group continues to grow, they’re still doing their weekly posts and consistently interviewing women. It has far exceeded what they thought it would be as people come to learn and embrace these stories.
HOW TO JOIN
The next event is in May and will be scheduled around Mother’s Day. In addition to the host sharing a brief testimonial and inspiring message, bubbles, and savory charcuterie boards, the quarterly events will continue to be free to attend.
Special thanks to the Fierce and Fabulous ladies for letting WHJ be a part of this inspiring Flathead Valley event. We wish you many years of success!
– Sincerely, Dan Willett, Publisher
In between their quarterly events, Jenna encourages women to reach out to her via email, text, or her social media. Her email is [email protected] and her cell is 805.279.7068.
Fierce and Fabulous doesn’t have its own Instagram yet although that’s something they intend to create at some point. Until they do, Lindsey posts all their events on the Coldwell Banker Landstar Instagram as well as their personal accounts and encourages women to follow along:
Follow on IG
@coldwellbanker_landstar
@jennag _mt
#FierceandFabulousWednesday
Their goal is to get the word out so more women can come be a part of Fierce and Fabulous and continue to enjoy the potential of future connections. Jenna invites people to contact her, saying, “I’m always happy to take someone to coffee and/or talk on the phone. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished in this first year and we’re excited to share Fierce and Fabulous with more people.”
whj FEATURE
