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HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is recognizing Rogue Brownies, a Made in Montana business based in Great Falls, as the latest feature in her “Montana Business Spotlight” series. Rogue Brownies, owned by Jenny Watson and her sister, has built a loyal following with its handcrafted gourmet brownies and Montana‑made treats.
Watson says the business grew out of a family recipe and a willingness to “go rogue” in the kitchen.
“The brownie thing was my mom’s recipe,” she explained. “I moved away from home after graduating high school, and I followed her recipe to a T, exactly how she told me to do it.”
“Then, 20 years later, I visited her, and I watched her (make brownies) and said, ‘That is not how you told me to make your brownies!’ So, we went rogue in that way. The fun part is (mom) just adopted our method,” Watson laughed.
Rogue Brownies offers a full lineup of rich, gourmet brownies and baked goods, featuring high‑quality ingredients and Montana‑sourced products. Watson’s sister, Karyl Vassilaros, is her business partner and handles much of the design and presentation.
“Oh, it’s a lot of fun,” Watson said. “My sister, she’s my partner. She got me back into it and (helped) start up the business. She does all this designing; all of these pretty things she did.”
Watson says the name Rogue Brownies reflects both the creative baking approach and the spirit behind the business: “This is why we’re Rogue. As I told my sister, we live life following the rules all the time and feeling limited by all the rules. And I wanted to break away from that. I’m like, ‘Nope, I’m just going to jump with both feet in.’”
When asked what she enjoys most about doing business in Montana, Watson quickly points to the customers.
“Meeting people. I absolutely love talking to people and finding out about them, and meeting other people at businesses,” she said. “My next favorite thing —maybe I have to switch that — I love seeing people’s faces when they taste things. Their reactions are like, ‘I wasn’t expecting that,’ or ‘Oh, I love it.’ I just love to make people happy.”
Rogue Brownies sells its products online and through events, sharing its delicacies with customers who want a taste of Montana‑made indulgence. As a Made in Montana member, Rogue Brownies continues to grow its reach while staying rooted in Great Falls and building relationships with local customers and fellow small business owners. Watson and Vassilaros were honored at the recent Made in Montana Tradeshow when Rogue Brownies was named the Best in Show New Exhibitor by the Montana Department of Commerce.
“This is exactly the kind of Montana success story the Business Spotlight series is meant to showcase,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Rogue Brownies started with a family recipe and a lot of hard work, and today they’re sharing Made in Montana products with customers near and far. I’m grateful they chose to build and grow their business right here in Montana.”
“Small businesses like Rogue Brownies are the backbone of our economy,” Secretary Jacobsen added. “My goal has been to make it easier to do business in Montana by cutting red tape and lowering costs, so entrepreneurs like Jenny and her sister can focus on what they do best — serving their customers and strengthening our communities.”
