Quad Shot: Fueling Dreams in Valdez

Quad Shot Coffee, a busy coffee shop owned by Lucy and Olivia Selanoff and their family, is nestled in the picturesque city of Valdez, Alaska. While Quad Shot is growing in popularity, it represents much more than coffee and refreshments. The family business honors their family, resilience, and community.

As members of the Chugach Alaska Shareholders Corporation and tribal members of the Nanwalek and Chenega villages, Lucy and Olivia have a proud heritage.  It is known for their people’s resilience and love for family, along with core values of faith, fortitude, and perseverance. Through Quad Shot, Lucy and Olivia have a business that connects with both their community and familial roots.

A Family Foundation: The Start of Quad Shot

Lucy and Olivia Selanoff, their mom Sonya, and dad Charles had a dream to start their coffee shop. With the encouragement of a strong and supportive family, help from their mom, and resources from the AWBC, they were able to launch their coffee shop. The Selanoff family aims to provide high-quality coffee for their community and hometown. With determination, vision, and support from their business coach, Quad Shot soon became a staple in Valdez. Olivia says,

“We were very driven, and just went all into the business. Family is very big to us and has helped us overcome challenges to be stronger as a business. We wanted to prove that we could have a successful family business.”

The day before the grand opening, the Selanoffs came together, working late into the night to prepare for the launch. Lucy and Olivia’s family helped with all the last-minute details of the launch, from painting the final touches to adding lights. That familial collaboration and support continue to this day. Lucy says,

“When we opened, everyone, the entire family was just all hands-on deck to help. We have cousins who help with supplies and help my dad with the maintenance.”

The sisters routinely work with family members within the shop. Their father does all the repairs, maintenance, and labor, as well as supply runs, which can be up to hundreds of miles away.  Their mom, the matriarch of the family, covers the finances. For Quad Shot, that sense of family and community encompasses what the community of Valdez is all about. This network of support has helped them to continue to grow and scale Quad Shot.

From Local Shop to Community Service

Quad Shot may have started as a one-stop shop, but the sisters thrive with innovation. After being invited to participate in the Chugach Shareholders Corporation groundbreaking ceremony for a recent business venture, Lucy and Olivia expanded into offering catering and cart services. This event, a significant milestone for the Chugach Shareholders Corporation, showcased Quad Shot’s ability to offer different service options. Lucy states,

“We built a coffee cart for the event and were able to offer services for the regional Native corporation. It went really well.”

Being able to cater at the Chugach Shareholders Corporation event was among many other ventures within the community. The sisters improvised to leverage the opportunity with sports, events, and community engagement held primarily indoors. At the behest of their business coach, Carrie Jean Shepherd, they focused on updating their unique business proposition to set them apart from the competition. Having worked at the Chugach event, Lucy and Olivia offered cart service to other indoor events. This has increased engagement with a new selection of refreshment services and opened the doors to additional networking and community relationships. Carrie Jean says,

“Their dedication to building community shines through in their efforts to create a gathering place that strengthens local bonds.” In addition, she adds, “By providing employment opportunities to young Valdezians, they empower people and uplift the community, especially as a newer business.”

Community Connection Through Empowerment

Thanks to Selanoff Family, Quad Shot Coffee is more than just a business. It has become a centralized place of community- where people come to enjoy their morning coffee and a mobile point of engagement for indoor events. From coffee stand to participating in major events for the Chugach Shareholders Corporation and other companies in Valdez, they continue demonstrating their commitment to their roots and the Valdez community. Olivia says,

“We always want to treat the Valdez community with respect and treat them as family.”

As Native Alaskan business owners, Olivia and Lucy know the importance of the community support that they have amassed. While working on ways to promote more business opportunities, Olivia continues to hone her marketing skills, with both determined to continue growing as entrepreneurs as the business expands. Lucy and Olivia’s success story inspires and empowers other Native Alaskan entrepreneurs. Lucy says,

“Jump right into it! It’s easier to jump right in instead of just thinking about it.”  Olivia adds, “For me, it’s all about staying consistent. Even on the bad days, just push through and stay consistent.”

Giving Back

Lucy and Olivia wanted to do more for their community as the holiday season loomed. This included volunteering and finding a way to give back. With Halloween fast approaching, Quad Shot was invited to hand out candy to local children in Valdez. Olivia happily describes the interaction,

“We were asked to pass out candy at a carnival. We aren’t selling our drinks. They just wanted us to hand out candy and be involved with the community,” she says as the two smile broadly.

They are looking towards the future and finding other ways to give back to the community. The shop is near a local fire department, so those in need are always on their mind. Olivia adds,

“We want to donate back to the community with Thanksgiving coming up, also to food banks, and the fire department. We’re always seeing ambulances go through and thinking, how can we help them? We always want to find ways to give back.”

Supporting Alaskan Entrepreneurs

The AWBC offers various outreach methods to assist business owners. With the land so vast and some entrepreneurs in isolated areas, the AWBC is committed to delivering accessible resources and support to businesses like Quad Shot. Speaking on the importance of empowering tribal companies, Carrie Jean Shepherd, Business Coach and Trainer for Business Impact NW, says,

“Quad Shot Coffee is a powerful example of how tribal values can guide and inspire a thriving family-run business. They embody the principle of creating meaningful value by fostering deep connections with their customers and building a welcoming space where relationships thrive.”

Carrie Jean looks towards innovation herself, offering in-person, virtual, and travel-to services. For entrepreneurs in Alaska, especially those in rural communities, this is a lifeline of resources and assistance tailored to their business needs. She will soon travel to host several in-person events to support the Valdez community.

While in Valdez, she will empower clients with Business Impact NW resources, such as teaching a business tax class this weekend, the Square One course on December 4th, and meeting in person with business owners. She was even invited to speak at an event with the Business Women of Valdez. She plans to cohost the 2025 Tourism Industry Preview with Discover Valdez in continued efforts to support Alaskan small businesses like Quad Shot.

Quad Shot’s  journey highlights the value of having accessible and supportive resources for small businesses. Whether an aspiring entrepreneur or scaling a business for expansion, their story is an example of how resources can positively empower business owners. It is also a great reminder that, for those with a dream, sometimes it’s okay to “just go for it,” as Lucy says.

To learn more about services offered by the AWBC , click here.

To learn more about connecting with a business coach, click here.