Alaska’s Unique Confectionery Company
Alaskan Sweet Thing’s owners Jeanie and Curtis Wright paved their way to success three years ago when they opened their confectionary shop in Anchorage. They regularly produce over 20 flavors of gourmet popcorn using high quality coconut oil and the industry’s gourmet “magic mushroom” popcorn kernels with toppings to satiate a wide variety of cravings. Alongside their popcorn, they also hand make gourmet chocolates, truffles, brittles, and barks. Although the market can sometimes seem crowded, they set themselves apart in their feature product line: Alaskan taffy; the only glacier water certified taffy in the world. It comes in inventive flavors such as Pub Mix (featuring Hot Buttered Rum, Kahlua and Alaskan Amber Beer) and Alaskan Berry.
The Wrights came to the Alaska Small Business Development Center with several options to grow their business. They worked with Lynn Klassert to complete the financial projections for each option and to project financing needs when they decided to expand into a second location. Once they began working with the SBDC, they realized that working with Kimberlee Hayward in her Marketing Intensive Program could help them maximize exposure and increase overall awareness for Alaskan Sweet Thing’s brand image.
“The SBDC has been an invaluable asset in growing our business! They have assisted with everything from advice on business plans, to developing marketing plans, discussing expansion and helping us to define company direction,” said Jeanie. “They have come alongside us as a trusted mentor and seem to appreciate and celebrate our successes as much as we do!”
Alaskan Sweet Thing’s continues to grow with two retail outlets, 40 (and growing) wholesale accounts and plans to expand further into statewide distribution. Check out their offerings by visiting them at 108 Muldoon Rd in Anchorage. You can also follow them on Facebook for the sweetest updates!
