How Alaska’s Helping Their Entrepreneurs
Contributed by Atlas Katari
In this day and age, “entrepreneur” can feel like a loaded word. To some, the word sparks images of ponzi schemes, fast cars, and Instagram models. To others, it brings up the idea of struggling small business owners just trying to break out of their 9-5. And to most, “entrepreneur” just feels like a catch-all word to describe being unemployed.
But, of course, that’s not what entrepreneurship is. Sure, many use the title. But many more who fit the bill don’t use it. They use “small busienss owner” or “self-employed.” They call themselves as they see themselves: Someone trying to make a difference in their life, and subsequently, in their community around them.
The truth is that no matter how you view entrepreneurs, they’re the lifeblood of Alaska’s economy. It’s easy to assume oil and gas creates the most jobs in our state, but it’s actually our new businesses pulling that weight. In fact, according to The Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 62.7% of net jobs created since 1995.
Reasons like these are why events like Alaska Entrepreneurship Week (AKEW) are so important. Not only do they showcase the potential of Alakan businesses, but they show local Alaskans like you that anybody can be the next job-creator in their community. Yes, it takes a lot to become a successful entrepreneur, but you don’t have to figure out those steps alone. Alaska Entrepreneurship Week—happening this October 7-11—aims to connect all of Alaska’s entrepreneurial “dots”: the people starting businesses with the programs and nonprofits supporting them.
These are programs like Students2Startups, where UAA & UAF students are given paid internships to budding businesses across Alaska or in the Alaskan market. Upstart Alpha and gBETA both give new business owners the resources and mentors to take their ideas all the way to licensing. The Alaska Small Business Development Center (AKSBDC), Center ICE in Fairbanks, and Junior Achievement Alaska all target entrepreneurial minds of all ages to develop their ideas, connect with business coaches, and find solutions to the same problems business owners face every single day.
As the list goes on, you’ll find an endless amount of support for entrepreneurs across skill levels, ages, and locations—all of which fall under Alaska Entrepreneurship Week’s umbrella. This type of connection can’t happen over the course of a 1- or 2-day conference. Alaska Entrepreneurship Week is made up of dozens of events designed entirely for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. Across the state, businesses small and large are opening their doors to let anybody in on how business truly operates in Alaska—with all the challenges baked-in.
Ultimately, AKEW is a conglomerate of its own kind, based on over 10 years of trial and error to make happen every fall. This kind of event truly only comes once per year, so if you’d like to get involved now’s the time.
Reach out to the Alaska Entrepreneurship Team online at akew.org or email them at akenweek@gmail.com for more information!