January in Alaska has a way of reminding us that resilience isn’t something you can just talk about … it has to be experienced.
From record-breaking cold in the Interior, including Fairbanks dropping to –50, to storms and flooding along the West Coast and Southeast, weeks of hurricane-force winds in the Mat-Su, and Southcentral receiving its entire average January snowfall in just a couple of days, this winter has already put all of us to the test. No matter where you’re located, it’s been a hard season … and we’re only halfway through it.
And yet, if this winter has shown us anything, it’s the grit of Alaska’s small business owners. Alaskan entrepreneurs adapt, problem-solve, and keep showing up even when conditions are far from ideal, and it’s this resilience we see every day in SBDC advising sessions, workshops, and conversations with business owners statewide.
As we start the new year, January’s focus on financial literacy feels especially timely. When costs are up, weather is unpredictable, and margins feel tight, understanding your numbers can offer something rare this time of year: a sense of control. Whether that means tightening cash flow, planning for financing, or simply getting organized, small steps can make a meaningful difference.
You’ll find several opportunities in this newsletter to build that foundation, including highly requested live QuickBooks workshops, a healthcare accelerator, a rural-focused incubator, and other programs designed to help you plan with confidence for the year ahead.
No matter what this winter brings next, know that you’re not navigating it alone. The Alaska SBDC team is here to support you … wherever you are, and whatever challenges you’re facing right now.
Kendra Conroy
Acting State Director