From Dining Room Startup to Industry Leader
A local, technology-driven auction house redefining estate sales, business liquidations, and nonprofit fundraising in Alaska.
When Dan Newman founded Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals LLC (APAA) in 2018, he had a vision: to modernize the auction industry in Alaska. With a decade of experience in television and media advertising, Dan leveraged his connections in the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce to launch APAA, quickly gaining traction in the community.
What started as a one-man operation from his dining room table has since transformed into a multimillion-dollar business with a 44,000-square-foot facility, a full-time team of 45, and a global customer base spanning over 40 countries.
But getting to this level of success didn’t happen overnight. From navigating the complexities of starting a business to scaling it into a powerhouse, Dan found guidance and support from the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) every step of the way.
Starting a business from scratch comes with many unknowns. Where do you even begin? That was the question Dan faced when launching APAA. There were countless critical decisions to make—setting up a business bank account, obtaining insurance, hiring legal and financial professionals, and developing a sustainable business strategy. Without a clear roadmap, the risk of analysis paralysis was high.
Beyond the startup phase, growth and scalability became the next challenge. As APAA expanded, Dan and his team needed to refine their business operations, enhance their marketing strategies, and explore potential expansion opportunities beyond Alaska.
Dan turned to the Alaska SBDC, where he received expert business advising that helped him make informed decisions early on. The advisors guided him through the fundamentals of setting up a strong business foundation, including:
- Banking & Financial Planning – Understanding financial structures to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Legal & Compliance – Navigating business regulations and securing necessary protections.
- Hiring & Operations – Building a strong team and streamlining business processes.
As APAA matured, Dan continued to leverage SBDC’s market research and strategic planning resources to explore opportunities for branding, marketing expansion, and potential growth beyond Alaska. Whether refining his approach to digital marketing or evaluating business expansion strategies, SBDC remained a valuable resource.
With strategic support and a relentless commitment to innovation, APAA has achieved remarkable success:
- Business Growth – From a dining room startup to a 44,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Anchorage.
- Employment Impact – A team of 45 full-time, well-compensated Alaskans.
- Global Reach – Buyers in 40+ countries, with a 99% sell-through rate.
- Record Sales – Over $11 million in sales in 2024 alone.
- Industry Recognition – Award-winning marketing campaigns recognized by USA Today and the National Auction Association (NAA).
APAA is also making a significant impact in the nonprofit sector, working with a growing list of organizations to host fundraising auctions, with plans to set new records for nonprofit support in the coming year.
“When I first started, I didn’t even know where to begin—there were so many moving parts to launching a business. SBDC helped me navigate the fundamentals, from banking and insurance to hiring the right professionals. Now, as a maturing business, I still depend on SBDC as a sounding board for market research, rebranding, and potential expansion. Their support has been invaluable.”
— Dan Newman, Founder & CEO, Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals LLC
From a one-man startup to a multimillion-dollar, industry-leading auction house, Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals is a testament to entrepreneurial vision, strategic business planning, and community support. With the backing of Alaska SBDC, APAA continues to grow, innovate, and serve a global audience while remaining deeply rooted in Alaska. As they look ahead to an even busier auction season, their success story is far from over.
For more information about Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals, visit AlaskaPremierAuctions.com.
