Supporting the Businesses Powering Alaska’s Busiest Months
Summer in Alaska moves fast.
For many small businesses, this is the season they’ve spent months preparing for and now, they’re in it. Visitor traffic increases, schedules fill up, staffing gets stretched, and business owners shift into long days focused on keeping operations moving.
Across Alaska, hospitality and tourism businesses help create the experiences that shape how visitors see our state. But the impact goes well beyond hotels, tours, and lodges. Restaurants, retailers, artists, transportation providers, seasonal vendors, coffee shops, and countless other small businesses all help power Alaska’s summer economy.
For many communities, these few months carry significant weight for the rest of the year.
At the same time, the busiest season can also be the hardest time for business owners to step back, ask questions, or seek support. When time is limited and operations are demanding, it can feel easier to push through challenges alone.
But business owners should not have to do that.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Busy Season Alone
Summer business in Alaska often means solving problems in real time. A staff member leaves unexpectedly, inventory runs low, marketing gets pushed aside, or the pace simply becomes difficult to sustain.
That’s where having support can help. And it does not always need to mean a major business overhaul. Sometimes it’s a quick conversation about cash flow, help troubleshooting staffing challenges, updating operations to save time, or simply having someone to help you think through next steps while you stay focused on serving customers.
Support during busy season may look like:
- Navigating workforce or staffing challenges
- Reviewing cash flow during high-revenue months
- Finding ways to save time through better systems or workflows
- Refreshing marketing while visitor traffic is high
- Identifying partnership or cross-promotion opportunities
- Planning ahead for slower seasons later in the year
Even small adjustments during peak season can create long-term impact for a business.
Supporting Local Businesses Strengthens Alaska Communities
Summer also brings renewed attention to the importance of supporting local businesses, especially in Alaska’s rural and coastal communities where seasonal tourism can play a major role in the local economy.
Programs like BuyAlaska encourage both residents and visitors to shop local, explore local, and invest in Alaska-owned businesses throughout the summer season. Whether it’s visiting a small town during a road trip, booking a locally owned tour, purchasing handmade products from Alaska makers, or stopping at a family-owned restaurant, those choices help support jobs, entrepreneurs, and community sustainability across the state.
For many rural Alaska businesses, summer visibility and visitor spending can make a meaningful difference. Supporting local businesses helps strengthen communities while creating more authentic Alaska experiences for both residents and visitors alike.
This summer, take a moment to be a tourist in your own state. Explore somewhere new, support local businesses, and discover rural Alaska businesses through the BuyAlaska Directory.
Alaska SBDC Resources
The Alaska SBDC works with businesses year-round, including during the busiest parts of the season. Whether you need support navigating growth, workforce concerns, operations, marketing, or long-term planning, our team is here to help.
- Business Advising: https://aksbdc.org/services/business-counseling/
- Workshops & Training: https://aksbdc.org/services/workshops/
- BuyAlaska: https://buyalaska.com
How Alaska SBDC Can Help
Summer moves quickly, especially for Alaska businesses balancing growth, staffing, customer service, and day-to-day operations all at once.
Whether you need help solving an immediate challenge or simply want a trusted resource in your corner during the busiest time of year, the Alaska SBDC is here to support you with no-fee business advising, tools, and resources designed for Alaska businesses.
And if you can, take a moment this summer to be a tourist in your own state. Support local, try somewhere new, and enjoy what Alaska businesses work so hard to create.