Business Resources
General Resources for Startups
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers technical assistance, a variety of loan and other financing programs, and other resources to help a business get started and grow. Their business guide features many articles on starting and managing a business. Their Native American-owned business guide features content and resources specific to Indigenous small business owners.
SCORE is a nonprofit association that provides education and volunteer mentors for entrepreneurs. Mentors are available to deliver free help both by email and in person, and they provide templates for business plans, finances and sales spreadsheets in their template gallery.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The board provides business and marketing advice, along with promotional opportunities, to Indigenous artists and cultural organizers of federally recognized tribes. Their website hosts a directory of resources, including a webpage specifically for Alaska Native artists.
How to Develop Your Business Plan
The U.S. Small Business Administration has a Business Plan Tool that provides a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan. You write the plan by answering questions, and save it on-line so you can return later to edit or update. You must first register for a free account.
The Business Model Canvas is a helpful tool for mapping out the key components of a business plan, allowing you to describe, design, challenge, invent, and pivot your business model.
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Check out this 2-minute video to learn more.
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This 9-minute video provides further detail.
Additional Links to Business Plan Templates, Outlines, and Advice
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Bplans.com has free examples, guides, and courses on writing business plans.
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The US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration provides a thorough business plan outline.
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SCORE provides templates for business plans and financial statements.
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Entrepreneur provides business info, articles, and business forms and templates.
- Alaska Small Business Development Center hosts a digital toolkit with documents, spreadsheets, and templates used by their advisors.
Mariculture-Related Resources
- Mariculture-related tools, trainings, and resources offered by Spruce Root
- The Alaska Mariculture Research & Training Center hosts a number of training resources on their website.
- GreenWave is a nonprofit that trains and supports regenerative mariculture farmers. They host a number of downloadable guides on their website. Their “State of the Kelp Industry” report synthesizes information from the last ten years and provides recommendations for ocean farmers and mariculture businesses.
- The Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Atlas identifies locations for potential mariculture operations across Alaska, based on a NOAA-conducted analysis that takes into account social, environmental, and economic factors.