Bringing the Glow to Every Gathering
When Amy and Geary York reached out to the Alaska SBDC they were well on their way to creating something new and exciting for the Anchorage community. Paired with an SBDC advisor, Amy and Geary worked to develop their business plans and financial projections to assist them in turning their incredible idea into a reality. When asked about their work with the SBDC, the Yorks said “Ian Grant was awesome. He was a great encouragement to us and helped connect us to our lender!”
After successfully launching The Dirty Apron, we asked Amy and Geary about what inspired them to start their business. The Yorks described the passion they feel towards family, community and being connected to those around them. Amy explained, “Our family has always loved gathering and food becomes the center of the event, food is a great connector. Whether people bring different dishes or we all cook together to make the meal- we all leave feeling connected, we call it “the glow.”
In navigating the pandemic, the Yorks missed the connection to community and decided to open The Dirty Apron so they could work on cultivating the community around them again, with food….as there is always good food to be shared!
There simply isn’t anything like the newly opened The Dirty Apron in Anchorage. The space the Yorks have created truly makes it one of a kind. Their business brings together the cooking experience to be had with professional chefs, family, and friends, as well as all the highest end cookware to bring home that truly recreate “the glow” that inspired their business idea.
After launching The Dirty Apron, the Yorks are excited about the support they received from each person who visits them and supporting other small businesses – the camaraderie is really great.
Upon asking if they had any advice for new business owners, Amy exclaimed: “Yes! Have a plan and stick to it – for the most part; things will change and you need to be able to pivot. If you pursue something that brings you joy, it won’t feel like work. That, and marketing is more expensive than you think. Be ready to hustle.”
What new events can you expect from The Dirty Apron? Be ready, Anchorage. A partnership with celebrity chefs is currently in the works. Beginning in the summer of 2023, they also plan to have a booth at one of the Saturday markets and are looking forward to connecting with the community.
If you are interested in learning more about The Dirty Apron, check out their website at: https://www.thedirtyapron.com/ or follow @thedirtyapronak
