Using Google Docs and Sheets to manage inventories or reservations lets us have the most up-to-date information regardless of where we are.
Sally Kelsey
Co-owner
Nine Quarter Circle Ranch has deep roots in Montana’s rugged wilderness. Founded by Howard Kelsey in 1946, the guest ranch is now run by a third generation of the family, since grandson Kameron and his wife, Sally, took the reins from Kameron’s parents in 2019. “It’s rare to have multiple generations of a family own a business these days,” Sally points out. “Everything about the experience is steeped in tradition.” The ranch offers horseback riding, fly fishing, and a dining experience with a sense of community–along with the chance to explore wide-open spaces. Even the ranch’s 120 Appaloosa horses carry on tradition: Howard introduced the breed to the ranch in homage to the Nez Perce, who bred Appaloosas for their stamina and sure-footedness.
While guests are busy enjoying the low-tech lifestyle, the Kelseys use a high-tech approach behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. They use Google Ads to find new customers, gaining more qualified leads and a higher conversion rate than they see from other sources. The couple also collaborates daily using Google Workspace. “We’re always on the move,” Sally says, “so to be able to log in from anywhere and access or change information is really helpful. Using Google Docs and Sheets to manage inventories or reservations lets us have the most up-to-date information regardless of where we are.” With guests coming from all over the U.S. and abroad, and 30 percent year-over-year (YoY) revenue growth, the Kelseys stay plenty busy. But watching the ranch transform those guests keeps them grounded. “Families get to reconnect here, hearing the creek, watching the night sky and the wildlife,” Kameron says. “More people should spend more time in nature. It's good medicine.”