Alaska SBDC

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to recognize the dedication of our Alaska SBDC staff, and those working over the winter break to support Alaska's small businesses. Whether it's answering last-minute questions, preparing for upcoming deals, or helping entrepreneurs wrap up the year, this team’s commitment to Alaska’s business community wows us! Though many of our staff will be off with the UAA winter closure from Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3, there are limited staff available for critical needs. For urgent assistance, please contact info@aksbdc.org and note response times may be delayed due to reduced holiday staffing. We're grateful for their willingness to go the extra mile—always! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year ✨

Are you passionate about helping small businesses succeed? The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the UAA Business Enterprise Institute is looking to start the New Year by welcoming the next member to our dynamic Anchorage team- the busiest hub in our statewide network- as a Business Advisor! This is your chance to: 💼 Work one-on-one with entrepreneurs 📊 Guide businesses through challenges and growth 🌍 Drive real impact on Anchorage’s economy Bring your expertise in business strategy, financial planning, and leadership to this pivotal role and help entrepreneurs thrive. Located at UAA, this full-time position offers a competitive salary, fantastic benefits, and the chance to make a real difference. Apply now or tag someone who would be a perfect fit! Visit https://lnkd.in/gVPE-iiG #AlaskaSBDC #AlaskaBusiness #AnchorageJob

The Alaska State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and the newly launched Tribal SSBCI Consortium are driving equitable economic growth, innovation, and resilience across the state. Through these programs—administered by the Alaska SBDC at the UAA Business Enterprise Institute—businesses gain critical access to funding that strengthens local economies and empowers underserved communities. 📈 State SSBCI by the Numbers: 💵 $77.1M in funding delivered to 101 loans 🏢 86 businesses supported across 26 communities 🎯 90 socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (SEDI) 🔑 59 classified as very small businesses (VSB) In the Fall of 2024, the groundbreaking Tribal SSBCI Consortium launched with 125 Alaska Native tribes participating. In just a few months: 💵 $17.4M funded through 13 loans 🎯 12 SEDI-owned businesses empowered 🏡 8 very small businesses supported in 9 communities Why It Matters: The SSBCI programs fuel local businesses, create jobs, and build pathways to economic sovereignty for underserved entrepreneurs—especially Alaska Native, tribal, and rural communities. These achievements wouldn’t be possible without the incredible collaboration of our lending partners and the hard work of Alaska’s entrepreneurs. As we gear up for 2025, the Alaska SBDC is committed to supporting innovation and empowering Alaskans to overcome challenges and thrive. Learn more about the impact this year at https://lnkd.in/g8Jjkj2E #AlaskaSSBCI #TribalSSBCI #SSBCI #AlaskaEntrepreneurs

Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive into the Empowering Small Businesses with AI Workshop Series and discover how AI can transform your operations! Whether you're new to AI or looking to build custom tools like ChatGPT-powered assistants, this series—brought to you by the AI Resource Program at Alaska SBDC—is packed with practical strategies to help you: ✅ Streamline workflows ✅ Optimize marketing with AI-driven insights ✅ Analyze data for smarter decisions ✅ Create custom AI tools for your business Don’t miss this chance to future-proof your business. Sign up today and harness the power of AI! Learn more and sign up for these On Demand workshops at https://lnkd.in/gJx4DsCw #AlaskaSBDC #AIForBusiness #AlaskaBusiness #AIToolsForBusiness

Alaska SBDC offices will be closed for winter break from Monday, December 23, through Friday, January 3, in alignment with UAA's holiday schedule. Please note that a limited number of staff will be available during the holidays for critical needs, but expect a delayed response. 📅 Key Dates: December 23: Limited staff availability December 24 & 25: Holidays, no staff availability December 26, 27, 30: Limited staff availability December 31 & January 1: Holidays, no staff availability January 2-3: Limited staff availability January 6: Alaska SBDC resumes normal operations During this time, you can access resources or submit a general inquiry at aksbdc.org, and we will respond as quickly as possible upon our return. We wish you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! 🎉

The Alaska SBDC Mat-Su Office had the honor of hosting U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Beto Yarce, SBA Alaska District Office Director Steve Brown, and Economic Development Specialist Norma Lucero for a day of connecting with local businesses. The visit kicked off with a delicious breakfast provided by Wasilla House of Bread and included an engaging meet-and-greet with Mat-Su Center Director Misty O'Connor, Business Advisor Kayla Robson, the owner of Yukon Tails Mobile Pet Grooming., and our partners with Alaska MEP and KeyBank. Highlights of the day also included touring AK Mountain Dog's manufacturing facility, exploring The Peak Outpost, and wrapping up with visits to Bleeding Heart Brewery and Wild Haven Co. This visit was a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and success of small businesses in the Mat-Su region. A huge thank-you to the entrepreneurs who inspire us and to the SBA leaders for supporting Alaska’s small business community! #AlaskaSBDC #BuyAlaska #MatSuBusiness #AlaskaEntrepreneurs

Join the Alaska SBDC team at the UAA Business Enterprise Institute and make a difference! We’re hiring for three exciting roles: ▪️AI Implementation & Support Specialist: Help small businesses harness the power of AI technology. ▪️Tribal SSBCI Lending Program Director: Lead efforts to expand capital access for Alaskan entrepreneurs. ▪️Tribal SSBCI Venture Capital Program Assistant Director: Drive investments in Alaska’s tribal communities. If you’re passionate about supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth, apply today—or share this with someone who would be a perfect fit! Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g6na5z73 #AlaskaSBDC #JobOpportunity #WereHiring

Last week, the energy in our local shops was nothing short of inspiring. From the handcrafted treasures to the warm smiles behind the counters, Small Business Saturday reminded us why shopping small isn’t just a one-day event—it’s a way to keep our community thriving. 💙 Every purchase supports a dream, every dollar spent strengthens our local economy, and every gift bought from a small business tells a story worth sharing. As we dive deeper into the holiday season, let’s keep that momentum going, Alaska! Whether it’s grabbing a cup of locally roasted coffee, picking up unique gifts from local artisans, or supporting homegrown service providers, there are countless ways to shop small and make a big impact. Together, we can make this a season of connection, creativity, and community. Let’s show our local businesses some love this December! Featured Businesses: FisheWear The Nave Spenard Tier 1 Cards & Games Gumbo House 6th Avenue Outfitters Co-op Wild Starr Creations & Coffee House Tiny Gallery 49th State Brewing And make sure to visit our directory of over 1,000 local businesses across Alaska at https://lnkd.in/e7v3yXsj ! #BuyAlaska #AlaskaSBDC #SmallBusinessSaturday #aksbdc

Happy #SmallBusinessSaturday! What an incredible kick-off to the holiday season. To celebrate, Alaska SBDC and the BuyAlaska Program partnered with Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd., the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, and the SBA Alaska District Office to tour local downtown Anchorage businesses with Mayor LaFrance! A few stops included: 6th Avenue Outfitters Gumbo House FisheWear The Kobuk Kaladi Brothers Coffee Wild Starr Creations & Coffee House 49th State Brewing Co. Holiday Market Here’s a glimpse of all the fun, and a reminder to #ShopSmall where you can, now through the holidays, and to look for local options year-round! #supportlocalAK #sbdcshopsmall #buyalaska #alaskasbdc #alaskanowned

📣 #SmallBusinessSaturday is more than a shopping day—it’s a movement to support the heart of Alaska’s communities! 💙 ”Shopping locally is an investment in both the people we care about and the long-term success of our economy,” says Katie Nave, BuyAlaska Program manager. “Small Business Saturday reminds us that the future of our communities lies in our hands. Every dollar spent with a small business circulates through our local economy, creating new opportunities and building a future that reflects Alaska’s unique values and creativity.” 🎁 Discover how to get involved and why it matters: https://lnkd.in/gYYpt-zD #BuyAlaska #ShopSmall #AlaskaSBDC