This Small Business Saturday, Every Purchase Powers Alaska’s Future
Picture this: A coffee shop in Wasilla where a Marine veteran serves lattes at 6 a.m. to oil workers starting their shifts. A family-owned hardware store in Wrangell that keeps boats running and homes warm. A Native Alaskan artist in Anchorage turning traditional designs into modern jewelry that tells our state’s story.
These aren’t just businesses, they’re the backbone of Alaska’s economy, the heartbeat of our communities, and proof that service to our state takes many forms.
In Alaska, we understand that strength comes from standing together. That’s especially true on Small Business Saturday, November 29, when Alaskans across 663,000 square miles have the power to shape our economic future with a simple choice: shop local.
Why Your November 29 Shopping Trip Matters More Than You Think
Here’s what happens when you spend $100 at an Alaska small business instead of a national chain:
- $63 stays in Alaska’s economy (compared to $22 from chain stores)
- You’re supporting an average of 3.4 Alaska jobs
- You’re keeping sales tax revenue in your own community
- You’re preserving what makes Alaska, Alaska
Small Business Saturday isn’t just another shopping day, it’s Alaska’s (and the nations!) economic independence day. And this year, we’re especially calling on Alaskans to recognize the veteran entrepreneurs who’ve traded one uniform for another: the apron, the work boots, the business casual attire of Alaska’s job creators.
Veterans Leading the Way: Service Never Stops
When Master Sergeant Beryl Castillo launched a comprehensive career services firm offering resume writing, interview preparation, and counseling in Fairbanks, she didn’t just create a business, she created a community that has allowed her to tailor her services and further support the bilingual community across Alaska, Washington D.C., Washington State, Utah, and Florida. Her leadership skills? Learned in the Alaska Air National Guard. Her dedication to service? Never left.
She’s one of hundreds of veteran-owned businesses across Alaska and she represents something powerful: the second act of service that strengthens us all.
From Ketchikan to Kotzebue, veterans bring something special to Alaska’s business landscape:
- Mission-focused determination that doesn’t quit when times get tough
- Leadership experience that builds strong teams and loyal customers
- A service mindset that puts community before profit margins
The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is proud to support these entrepreneurs. In 2024 alone, 184 members of Alaska’s military community joined our workshops, with 67 receiving discounted access, saving $2,230 while building skills to grow Alaska’s economy.
But here’s the truth: Every Alaska small business owner serves our state, whether they wore a uniform or not. The single mom running a daycare in Homer. The young couple who opened a brewery in Juneau. The fishing guide in Cordova building a tourism business one satisfied customer at a time.
They all deserve our support. They all make Alaska stronger.
Your Small Business Saturday Game Plan
November 29 is your starting line – not your finish line. Here’s how to make an impact:
On November 29th and through the season:
- Start your morning at a local coffee shop instead of a chain
- Buy your groceries from the independent market, not the big box store
- Get your holiday gifts from Alaska makers and merchants (use BuyAlaska!)
- Grab lunch or dinner at that restaurant you’ve been meaning to try
- Take a photo and tag your favorite businesses on social media with #BuyAlaska and #SmallBusinessSaturday
This Season and Beyond:
Make local shopping your new habit. Alaska’s small businesses need steady support, not just one-day surges. When you commit to shopping local year-round, you’re investing in:
- Jobs for your neighbors and opportunities for Alaska’s young people
- Unique products and services you can’t find anywhere else
- Downtown vitality that makes our communities thrive
- Economic resilience when national chains pull out but local businesses stay strong
For Alaska’s Entrepreneurs: Your Mission-Ready Support Team
Whether you’re a veteran pivoting from military service to business ownership, or any Alaskan entrepreneur building your dream, Alaska SBDC provides the resources you need to succeed at no cost.
We offer:
- One-on-one business advising tailored to your goals
- Workshops on everything from business planning to digital marketing
- Funding guidance and connection to capital
- And so much more
From idea to launch to growth, we’re here for you. Because when Alaska’s entrepreneurs succeed, we all succeed.
This Season, Choose Alaska
As the northern lights dance overhead and winter settles in, Alaskans are making decisions about where to spend their hard-earned dollars. Those decisions matter.
Small Business Saturday, November 29, is your invitation to vote with your wallet for the Alaska you want to see: prosperous, independent, and filled with opportunity for the risk-takers and dream-chasers who make our state extraordinary.
Support the veteran who’s serving Alaska in a new way. Support the family business that’s been here for generations. Support the young entrepreneur betting everything on an Alaska idea.
Because here in the Last Frontier, we take care of our own—and that starts with supporting the businesses that make our communities home.
Join the Movement:
- Visit BuyAlaska.com to discover local businesses
- Follow Alaska SBDC for entrepreneur resources and success stories
- Mark your calendar for Small Business Saturday, November 29!