Program Director for Technical Assistance Ashley Snookes works with Aaron Angerman 1-on-1 during the Path to Prosperity in-person Business Competition bootcamp in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Tripp J Crouse/Spruce Root)
Dzantik'i Heeni (Juneau, Alaska) ~ We are thrilled to announce an exciting shift in the Path to Prosperity Business Competition.
In February, Spruce Root announced the winners of the 2022 Path to Prosperity Business Competition. Rebecca Kameika of Costa Brava, Bakery & Pâtisserie and Alannah Johnson of New Earth Fungi each received $25,000 for the businesses.
In the 10 years of this competition, we are extremely proud that 312 businesses submitted applications from 23 communities 119 finalists were trained in triple-bottom-line business planning during our signature intensive boot camp And 21 winners have been awarded a total of 660,000 dollars to build their local businesses.
Behind these numbers is a rich network of caring and driven entrepreneurs across Southeast Alaska. Over the past year, we really have seen just how much that network has grown.
Previous iterations of Path to Prosperity focused on competition – narrowing a field of 40 to 50 participants down to deliver an intensive boot camp to a select few.
Spruce Root and Path to Prosperity want to transform how it delivers these key services to business owners in Southeast Alaska.
We want to offer the same opportunities to each session cohort, with the option at the end to participate in a competitive sprint for one of three $20,000 awards.
We introduce you to Business & Balance.
Business & Balance is a complete 9-week course that invests in you. Being mindful of everyday schedules and the grind of owning and operating a business, Business & Balance will deepen the connection between your business and your local community, and unlock your potential as an entrepreneur and leader.
Each course will be delivered to up to 15 participants over the course of the 9 weeks. After completing the course, participants will have the opportunity to enter the competition sprint and compete for one of three $20,000 awards. This course is open to all Southeast Alaskans, Sealaska shareholders, and/or Tlingit & Haida tribal citizens, in Southeast Alaska. We especially encourage registrants who are Indigenous, Black, people of color, and/or who are located in rural Southeast Alaska (outside of Juneau, Ketchikan, or Sitka). For more information go to spruceroot.org/balance. If you have any questions, please reach out to grow@spruceroot.org or (907) 586-9251.
For media inquiries, contact Spruce Root Communications Specialist Tripp J Crouse at 907 306 6475 or email at tripp@spruceroot.org.
About Spruce Root: Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Our services for small businesses include coaching, training, and lending for startup enterprises, working capital, business expansion, leasehold improvements and other business capital needs. We are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place. For more information about Spruce Root, go to spruceroot.org.