Last month’s newsletter carried a bittersweet update as our State Director, Jon Bittner, signed off after nearly nine years of leadership. After two decades with the Alaska SBDC, I’ve been asked to step in as Acting State Director while we search for our next leader. For those who know me, yes, this means I’ve been nudged into the spotlight, a place I usually avoid at all costs. Jon set the bar high, and while stepping in is a little intimidating, it also feels like the right place to be. I wouldn’t take this on without the support of UAA, our partners, funders, and the incredible staff who keep this work moving forward.

Carlos Machuca, AI Resource Program Director, led the way with his session AI for Business: Capabilities & Practical Applications, showing credit professionals how to unlock real-world AI tools to make smarter, faster decisions.

Attendees walked away with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and a new perspective on what’s possible when tech meets credit expertise. Big thanks to Carlos and the Alaska Credit Forum for an inspiring day of learning and connection!

Alaska SBDC's Viola Smith, Tribal SSBCI Lending Program Assistant Director and Aurora Agee, SSBCI Lending Program Assistant Director brought some SSBCI energy to Northrim Bank's Oktoberfest at Hilltop!

They connected with lenders to talk about how the State Small Business Credit Initiative can help get more capital flowing to Alaska’s businesses.

Community partnerships like this keep opportunities moving forward for all Alaskans!

Ruth Wolfe, Rural Center Director, led an empowering 3-hour workshop in Kodiak in September, guiding community members through essentials like starting a business, building financial projections, writing business plans, and preparing for loans!



A big thank you to our partners who made this possible: Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, Kodiak Area Native Association - KANA, and Koniag!

At the Entrepreneurship Camp hosted by Alaska Growth Capital and Spruce Root at APU, Carlos Machuca led a breakout session on using AI in marketing for Alaska’s small businesses.

The partnership created a space for entrepreneurs in food, tourism, arts, and startup industries to explore practical tool. One participant said they’d “sign up for a full-day or multi-day course” to keep learning!

A huge thank you to our amazing panelists from our Ready to Grow series:


• Laile Fairbairn, Locally Grown Restaurants
• Kendall Wilson, Cadence General LLC
• Deanna Wlad, Spark Design
• Ryane Brougham, Evergreen Business Capital

Your insights and experiences gave attendees the tools and inspiration to take their business spaces from dream to reality!

Thank you to KellyAnn Cavaretta (Salted Roots Cabins / Flamingo Lounge) for sharing her expansion story, and to our panelists for sharing key insights on scaling a business:


• Rachel Pennington, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop / K Street Market
• Elissa Brown, Wild Scoops
• Dunbar Anders, Alaska Growth Capital
• Joe Dugan, Locally Grown Restaurants / Alaska Architectural Lighting

In his farewell op-ed, outgoing Alaska SBDC State Director Jon Bittner makes a compelling case for why Alaska's economic future depends on supporting small businesses rather than chasing big corporate projects. Despite back-to-back recessions and the second-slowest GDP growth nationally, Alaska's 77,814 small businesses employ over half the state's workers and represent the most reliable path to economic diversification. After nearly 9 years leading the Alaska SBDC, Bittner asserts it's time to "dream small so we can grow big" by coordinating resources behind entrepreneurs launching hundreds of new businesses each year.

Alaska’s small businesses are the backbone of our communities, from Kotzebue to Ketchikan, you’re creating jobs, shaping industries, and keeping our economy moving. But running a business in Alaska takes grit, creativity, and the right support.

This October, the Alaska SBDC is highlighting key areas to help your business thrive:

Manufacturing: Boost local economies and expand your markets.

Cybersecurity: Protect your data, operations, and customer trust.