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By Ruth Wolfe, Yupik, Alaska SBDC Rural Business Advisor
The entrepreneurial spirit has long been a part of Alaska Native cultures, where innovation and resilience are a part of the rural landscape. Today, there is a need to nurture this spirit among our youth, encouraging them to build businesses that respect our traditions and grow our communities economically.
In rural Alaska, opportunities for entrepreneurship are as diverse as the wildlife – from tourism and artisan crafts to technology and sustainable resource management. For young entrepreneurs, these opportunities are not just career paths but ways to sustain our cultural heritage and improve local economies.
Access to the right tools and knowledge is important. As a community, we must provide our youth with education and resources that highlight the basics of business management tailored to the unique aspects of rural Alaskan markets. Initiatives like local workshops, mentorship programs, and collaboration with tribal organizations can bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and entrepreneurial education.
The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help with business advising or help with finding lending such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Tribal Consortium program. This program aims to assist tribal businesses and entrepreneurs with financing to start or expand their businesses.
Additionally, the Alaska SBDC can aid entrepreneurs in applying to business plan competitions such as McKinley Alaska Growth Capital Marketplace Business Plan Competition, Spruce Root’s Path to Prosperity Competition, Norton Sound Economic Development Cooperative Small Business Initiative, and Chugach Shareholder Grant Program.
Highlighting success stories within the community can serve as a powerful motivation. For instance, the Alaska SBDC recently supported the Selanoff family in launching their coffee hut business “Quad Shot” in Valdez. Their story and others are available on our website, providing inspiration and practical lessons.
To our current and aspiring young entrepreneurs, know that your journey is supported by a community that values innovation, resilience, and tradition. And to the elders and established business leaders, your mentorship is invaluable. Volunteer to be a mentor at Alaska EXCEL, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANCEP), Alaska Native Heritage Center, and First Alaskans Institute’s Elders and Youth Conference.
In encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs, we are not only contributing to our economy but also ensuring the preservation and growth of our cultural heritage. Let’s
invest in our youth, empower them with the tools they need, and watch as they lead us into a future where tradition and innovation go hand in hand.
For More Information about the Alaska Small Business Development Center go to https://aksbdc.org/.
