Nice to Meet You! I’m Jessica Shaffer, Owner and Founder of Little Hoofbeats Children’s Activity Center.

In the fall of 2024, a wild hair sprouted in my brain. Before I knew it, that wild hair had turned into an entire wig! Whoops.

What started as a little idea quickly grew into something much bigger.

At the time, my daughter was just four years old, and I desperately wanted to get her involved in dance and gymnastics. But I couldn’t bear the thought of driving into Missoula even more than I already did. My husband and I both worked full-time in Missoula, and our schedules were already stretched pretty thin.

Our family happily calls Alberton home, and we absolutely love our Alberton and Frenchtown communities. I wanted to see more opportunities for our children right here in the West Valley.

So, I started asking myself a question: What if I could provide the space and handle the behind-the-scenes operations, then bring in instructors and coaches to teach our kids right here at home?

After community surveys, business coaching meetings, and phone calls with some truly terrific female business owners throughout the county, doors were openin. Before I knew it an LLC was formed, and I was diving headfirst into making this idea a reality.

Along the way, several generous, kind, and caring local businesses stepped up to invest in equipment and help us get started. Their support means more to me than I can put into words, and I will be forever grateful for the people who cheered me on from the beginning.

As we head into the fall of 2026, I can hardly believe that Little Hoofbeats has become my main career! This journey has brought me more time with my kids and family, more opportunities to be present in the communities we love, and the chance to give back in ways I only dreamed of when this was just a little idea. As I head into the third season of dance and tumbling I have grown to be so blessed by the consistent kiddos that frequent our classes. I love watching their confidence grow and hearing how much they love it from their families. Such fulfillment & joy I cannot put into words.

What began with a mom wanting more opportunities for her daughter has grown into something that I hope will make a lasting difference for families throughout the West Valley.

Thank you for being here, for supporting local, and for taking the time to learn a little about me and the heart behind Little Hoofbeats. I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to see what we build together!