Aleutian Marketplace
The Aleutian Marketplace is a partnership between APICDA, the Aleut Corporation, Wells Fargo and Fastwyre. The program works with community members, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creative people throughout the Aleutian-Pribilof region to explore business concepts and talk about the nuts-and-bolts of entrepreneurship to help develop the regional economy.
We are currently hosting a webinar series covering topics of interest like financial business basics, branding, starting a beading jewelry business, and the requirements of attaining a business license. The webinars usually have about 15 participants and are hosted on the third or fourth Thursday of the month. Connectivity can be an issue, so we use a Zoom format with a call-in toll-free number; about half of the participants call in and follow along with a pdf version of the speaker's presentation that is emailed out prior to the event.
The Aleutian Marketplace Micro Grant is available for eligible businesses in the Aleutian/Pribilof Island region. Businesses can apply for grant funding for up to $3,000 to be used for a wide selection of items that are essential to start or assist an established privately owned business. The application due date is March 15, 2023.
Past Workshop Presentations / Recordings:
- Meet Barnacle Foods (March 31, 2022) Part 1 & Part 2
- A Salty Story – Alaska Salt Company (Feb. 24, 2022)
- Starting a Traditional/Modern Art Business (Nov. 18, 2021)
- Photography for Beginners & Pros (May 27, 2021)
- Legal Information for New Businesses (April 22, 2021)
- Social Media Alaska Native Art Sales from Home (March 25, 2021)
- Branding 101 (March 4, 2021)
- Business Basics (January 21, 2021)
- Small Business Fundamentals of Mariculture (Sept. 30, 2020)
- Social Media Marketing Part 1 (June 2, 2020 – recording unavailable) & Part 2 (July 14, 2020)
- Starting an Etsy store (April 16, 2020)
The Aleutian Marketplace is offered to residents of the twelve Aleutian-Pribilof communities of Adak, Akutan, Atka, Cold Bay, King Cove, Nikolski, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon, Sand Point, St. George, St. Paul and Unalaska.
Entrepreneurial Resources in Alaska
Alaska is a great state for entrepreneurism. Below are links to resources available to individuals interested in starting a business. Topics include:
- Starting a business
- Buying a business
- Buying a franchise
- Selling a business
- Raising money
- Small business advertising
- Economics for entrepreneurs
- Legal advice for business owners
- Operational advice
- Small business finance
- Small business taxes
- Small business technology
- Human resources for entrepreneurs
Alaska Small Business Development Center: https://aksbdc.org/
Alaska Startups: https://www.alaskastartups.com/
One Million Cups Anchorage: https://www.1millioncups.com/anchorage
Launch Alaska: http://www.launchalaska.com/
Live Plan: https://www.liveplan.com/
Anchorage Public Library: http://www.anchoragelibrary.org/services/services-for/businesses-entrepreneurs-nonprofits/
Anchorage Economic Development Corporation: https://aedcweb.com/where-to-startup/alaska-entrepreneurs/
Small Businss Assistance Center: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ded/DEV/SmallBusinessAssistanceCenter.aspx
UAF Entrepreneur Handbook: https://www.uaf.edu/files/oipc/Entrepreneur-handbook-faq.pdf
Alaska USA’s Business Resource Center: https://www.alaskausa.org/business/resources.asp
United States Department of Labor’s Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship site: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/SelfEmploymentEntrepreneurship.htm
Alaska Journal of Commerce Small Business site: http://www.alaskajournal.com/small-business-0#.XJVQu_ZFyaR
Gaebler site: http://www.gaebler.com/
US Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/
For Questions Contact:
APICDA
Ellen Krsnak
Call: (907) 929-5273
E-mail:marketplace@apicda.com