Valdez Businesses Shine in National Spotlight Tour

On July 30, 2025, the Alaska Women’s Business Center (WBC), hosted by Business Impact NW, participated in the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC) National Media Spotlight Tour — one of just five centers chosen nationwide. Held at the Valdez City Council Chambers, the event recognized what happens when consistent, place-based support meets the determination of rural entrepreneurs.

This recognition came at a critical time. As federal dollars for small business support face an uncertain future, the event served as more than a celebration. It was a call to action. It reminded everyone that impact is local — and it’s visible.

“This is working — now’s the time to do more.”

The call to action was clear — and echoed by multiple voices throughout the event.

Valdez Mayor Dennis Fleming opened with a reminder of what resilience really looks like in a remote coastal town:

“Businesses thrive in the summer — that’s what we do,” he said. “But the real standard is set in the winter, when our population drops and you’re still out there, getting it done. That means a lot to Valdez.”

Next, Carrie Jean Shepherd, Business Coach & Trainer at the Alaska WBC, highlighted why consistent, local support matters:

“The will and the spirit of Alaskan entrepreneurship has always been here… however, getting access to information, to capital, can be really challenging. Valdez is a great example of how, when you have federal investment and local commitment to show up for the businesses who are really risking it all, you can see tremendous gains like we have here.”

In just 18 months, the Alaska WBC has provided over 450 hours of coaching and training in Valdez. It has supported the launch of eight new businesses and helped sustain more than 55 jobs. These numbers show what’s possible — but the stories behind them reveal what’s powerful.

Stories That Are Still Being Written

AWBC CEO Corinne Goble flew in from Washington, DC, to shine a light on Valdez. She reminded attendees that local success drives national impact.

“For every $1 in federal investment, women’s business centers help small businesses generate $6 in revenue — and another $7.50 in private capital. That’s $15 in economic activity per dollar. A heck of an ROI.”

That return is showing up every day in coastal Alaska — where running a business often means battling weather, supply delays, and isolation.

Jess from Poor Betty’s

Jess and her husband Danny turned a pandemic-era food truck, Poor Betty’s, into a year-round staple in Valdez. Later, they added a second concept, Mac It Up AK. We recently featured their story of growth & resilience. At the event, Jess added one unforgettable detail: their original food truck once survived a bear attack.

“We stayed open through the crazy winters. Hand warmers in our shoes. Frozen fingers. A pink hairdryer to defrost the pipes before we opened. But people kept showing up. We couldn’t keep up with the demand… and Carrie Jean helped us get past the what-ifs and to the let’s do this.”

Today, thanks to coaching and an SBA-backed loan, they’re launching a custom-built food trailer and scaling up statewide. Read their full story here.

Celeste from The Gift Shop

Celeste Addison launched the first Black-owned storefront in Valdez, The Gift Shop, a sustainable, community-driven retail space. She got connected to Business Impact NW through Jess. Her story will be featured in an upcoming post. In the meantime, she shared:

“Meeting Carrie Jean was probably the best thing that could have happened for my business. The business has transformed and grown… more into what my vision originally was.”

Today, she supports over 30 Alaskan makers through consignment. She also started a local meetup group for women in business that’s building something bigger than sales.

Olivia from Quad Shot Coffee

Olivia Selanoff and her family launched Quad Shot Coffee with a startup grant and support from the Alaska WBC. It’s now Valdez’s only mobile coffee cart and healthy drive-thru. Olivia is building a business rooted in purpose and community connection.

“Since then, Carrie has been such a powerful resource to us — helping me navigate everything from managing employees to creative marketing and finding ways to grow sustainably,” Olivia said. “As a young business owner, that kind of guidance has meant the world… I honestly don’t think we’d be standing here today without the Women’s Business Center.”

Read more in our Quad Shot client story.

What This Moment Means

For a town with one road in and out — where even a bear attack doesn’t stop service — the celebration wasn’t about overcoming odds. It was about what’s possible when someone shows up.

Business Impact NW Executive VP Domonique Juleon put it simply:

“Everything that we do is about financial stability for our businesses… helping 5,000 businesses over the next five years become financially stable. That’s the North Star.”

This work is only possible with continued investment. As AWBC emphasized, that investment is at risk. Even with bipartisan progress, future federal funding for Women’s Business Centers remains uncertain.

As Carrie Jean noted:

“The work is working. Now is the time to do more of it.”

We’re grateful to AWBC for choosing Alaska as part of this national spotlight and for elevating the voices of communities like Valdez. Their visit underscored that success goes beyond buzzwords and headlines. It shows up in full food trucks, busy storefronts, and new jobs in towns that often get overlooked.

Keep Building With Us

Business Impact NW offers coaching, training, and access to capital across Alaska and beyond. If you’re ready to take the next step — or just want someone to talk to — we’re here.

Learn more at businessimpactnw.org.