Archive for the ‘Alaska’ Category

Business in Alaska VI

Thursday, June 24th, 2010 |

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker joins David Weatherholt in his ongoing “Getting Down to Business” series on candidates for Alaska’s governorship. The governor’s office is especially important for small businesses, so David asks how Bill Walker about the relationship between business and government. Bill has a history in small business – and his family’s small business was wiped out by the 1964 earthquake. He also worked with a ministry serving inmates on Death Row and has worked on the Alaska Pipeline.

Listen to the show to learn why Bill is applying for this state job.

David also gives us a news update about angel investors – and the possibility of finding them for free. Open Angels and Angel List are examples of these free services. Angel investors are investors who are looking for start-ups in which to invest.

Listen or download below:

Business in Alaska VI
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Business in Alaska VI

The Pallet Guy

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 |

Have you ever considered how important Malcolm McClain is to Alaska? He invented the idea of using containers for shipping, saving companies untold expenses. David’s guest “the Pallet Guy” has taken container to the next level of innovation – climate control. “The Pallet Guy’s” name is Don Harmond and his product is TEDS Box (tracking environmental deviation).

Don started our repairing pallets for airlines, but the TEDS Box has taken his business to the next level. This product actually actively heats or cools the container, depending on the contents. David asks Don to explain the research and development of this new product, and Don elaborates on the regulations, engineering and building of the TEDS Box. This podcast will be useful for any entrepreneur with an idea for an invention and wants to take it to the next step.

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The Pallet Guy
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The Pallet Guy

Business/News & Views – May 2010

Friday, May 28th, 2010 |

May’s issue of Business/News & Views® brings a bevy of great advice – from how to be a peerless competitor to defining your business’ future to helping shape the futures of graduates.

David Weatherholt brings great economic news, as he says that Prosperity Returns. For businesses looking to find new markets, we have news of a free international and trade seminar sponsored by the SBA.

And lastly, don’t miss out on some helpful technology tips.

Read Now: May 2010 Business/News & Views®

Business in Alaska IV

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 |

David Weatherholt continues his ongoing series of interviewing candidates for Alaska’s governor primary election with Bob Poe. David has been asking each candidate their views on the relationship between government and small business. Bob emphasizes that he wants to focus on the future of Alaska’s economy. He says, “Jobs equal opportunity, and opportunity equals hope.”

Geoff Burch joins the show with some great sales tips. Dave introduces Geoff with a riddle, “Well, of course we were skint when we first started.” Listen to show to learn what that mysterious phrase is all about. If you’re in a visual mood, you can watch some of Geoff Burch’s sales videos here.

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Business in Alaska IV
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Business in Alaska IV

Working for Alaska with Governor Sean Parnell

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 |

In this “Getting Down to Business” show, David Weatherholt is joined by a very special guest – Alaska Governor Sean Parnell. They talk about the relationship between business and government. Giving a short history lesson, David emphasizes the importance of government’s limited role in influencing business and its responsibility to ensure business’s freedom to grow and innovate.

Governor Parnell weighs in with the similarities between running a business and running a state. In fact, he owned his own small business for ten years after learning entrepreneurship from his father and understands small business owners’ challenges. Listen to the podcast below for more stories and observations from the governor.

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Working for Alaska
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Working for Alaska

Dancing with Goats

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 |

What does that mean- Dancing with Goats? You’ll have to listen to find out! David Weatherholt brings Brad Bigelow, a founder of Kaladi Brother Coffee, to the show to discuss the history of coffee in Anchorage. Brad started his coffee business in the early 1980’s, and he provides interesting insights into the world of an emerging market.

After Dave’s news update about the optimism index, Geoff Burch joins the show with his “Go It Alone” segment. Geoff talks about some of the crazy things entrepreneurs think they need before they can launch their business- and what they should be focusing on instead.

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Dancing with Goats
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Dancing with Goats

Photo Shoot – Alaska!

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 |

Dave Weatherholt brings photographer and owner of Alaska Stock Images, Jeff Schultz, onto the show today. Jeff talks about the exciting life of being a photographer with his own business.

Dave starts the show with the questions, “What makes a good employee?” and reports on an innovative article to help small businesses know their hiring practices will ensure they recruit great employees.

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Photo Shoot - Alaska!
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Photo Shoot – Alaska!

Pictures: Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament

Monday, March 22nd, 2010 |

The Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament, sponsored by Weatherholt & Associates, was held on March 17th. Visit Tim Keaveny’s site to check out some pictures from the event (and see if you can spot Dave!) Here are two pictures to get you started:

Marketing Alaska

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 |

Ron Peck, president and COO of Alaska Travel Industry Association, joins Dave on “Getting Down to Business” to talk about marketing Alaska. Dave starts out the show with a small business and tourism update. Ron has worked in the travel industry for 32 years and brings much experience to the conversation. He reveals a surprising fact- that travel and tourism companies in Alaska are largely small businesses. 92%  of ATIA’s membership are businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

Later in the show, Geoff Burch, international consultant, calls in. He is the author of Go It Alone, a great book for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. Geoff talks about the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and how it applies to those who have recently been laid off or are looking for a way to be self-employed.

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Marketing Alaska
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Marketing Alaska

March 17th Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament

Friday, March 12th, 2010 |

Weatherholt & Associates is sponsoring the Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament on March 17th. The event is at The Alaska Club Midtown, and our own David Weatherholt will be competing. To learn more about handball, visit the United States Handball Association.

March 11th AMA Alaska Luncheon, Sponsored by Weatherholt & Associates

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 |

On Thursday, March 11th, Weatherholt & Associates will be sponsoring the AMA Alaska luncheon at the Dena’ina Convention Center. AMA Alaska will be featuring Brad Spees, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for GCI Commercial Services. Come for networking at 11:30, and the program begins at noon.

To view pricing and purchase tickets, visit the AMA Alaska Event page. Weatherholt & Associates are delighted to sponsor this great event, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Anchorage Tourism 2010

Monday, March 1st, 2010 |

Julie Saupe, CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, joins the show to give a tourism update for Anchorage. They talk about the 30-year history of the ACVB. While last year was the first year tourism declined in Anchorage, Julie is hopeful for the future. She shares her community report with listeners, and what that will mean for Anchorage tourism.

Dave’s second guest is Sam Dickey, Deputy District Director of the Small Business Administration. SBA programs are changing, and Sam has the details. He is hopeful that Congress will keep funding some programs, but deadlines for stimulus money have passed. They discuss trends and facts related to small business lending and what this could mean for your small business.

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Alaska Tourism Update
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Alaska Tourism Update

Non-Profits are Businesses

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 |

Non-profit organizations perform many necessary functions in our communities, but they face many unique business challenges, as well. Dave’s first guest is Candace Winkler, CEO of Thread, an Anchorage-based non-profit. They discuss some of the business aspects non-profits focus on more than other organizations, such as having a transparent accounting system, keeping administrative costs reasonable and keeping a strict budget. Candace also talks about her experience in rebranding Thread (formerly Child Care Connection), and the wide variety of non-profits that are in Alaska.

In the next segment, Dave brings in Jason Stralka to discuss taxes for non-profits and answer listener questions. Jason is a tax expert for Carter Tax, Inc. Dave discovers that he has a passion for taxes. Jason knows that taxes are more than just filling out the forms– he loves finding loopholes and saving his clients money. However, he realizes the importance of being accurate and paying all the taxes that are due to the IRS.

Listen or download below:

Non-Profits are Businesses
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Non-Profits are Businesses

Cloud Computing and Your Future

Friday, February 12th, 2010 |

Joining the show this week is Todd Clark, founder and president of DenaliTEK, one of the leading IT services firms in Anchorage. He and Dave delve into the concept of cloud computing and how it can help your small business. Revolutions in the the IT industry come and go, but cloud computing is an innovative way to increase efficiency and manage budgets in your organization.

Todd also discusses some of the business issues he faces: why he develops client relationships, what DenaliTEK does to keep clients and how they handle losing a client. All small business owners can learn from his candid assessment.

Dave and Geoff Burch, author and international guru, launched a new segment of “Getting Down to Business” called Going it Alone. In his trademark cheeky manner, Geoff encourages entrepreneurs to go out and make it alone. He says of employment, “Who was the first caveman who got another caveman to go out and kill a buffalo for him, then just give him a tiny piece of the buffalo as a wage? When did that start?”

Listen or download below:

Cloud Computing and Your Future
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Cloud Computing and Your Future

Finding the Right Spot

Monday, January 25th, 2010 |

Graphic by Getty Images

Pamela Marsch joins Dave Weatherholt in this “Getting Down to Business” to discuss tips for buying and leasing commercial real estate. She is a commercial real estate broker with vast experience in Alaska’s real estate market.

Dave shares his personal experience with commercial real estate and hopes his listeners can learn from his less-than-ideal experience.

Dave also weighs in with his news update, bringing to light some useful business stories.

Listen or download below:

Finding the Right Spot
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Finding the Right Spot

(Graphic by Getty Images)

Event: Is Internet Marketing Right for your Business?

Friday, January 15th, 2010 |

Find the answer during a four hour in-depth seminar presenting real-life case studies of local Valley businesses. Courtney Brooke Smith Consulting will guide you through the decision-making process and help you answer the question: Is internet marketing right for your business?

Event Details:

Saturday, January 23, 2010
10 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center
1001 S. Mack Drive
Wasilla, Alaska 99654

To pre-register, visit matsumarketing.com. Space is limited, and the price is right. The seminar is just $75.00, and the optional lunch is $15.00.

David Weatherholt aired information about this seminar on “Getting Down to Business.” Listen to the spot below:

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Is Internet Marketing Right for your Business?

AMA Alaska Luncheon Sponsored by Weatherholt & Associates

Monday, January 4th, 2010 |

On Thursday, January 14th, Weatherholt & Associates will be sponsoring the AMA Alaska luncheon at the Dena’ina Convention Center. AMA Alaska will be featuring Ron Dotzauer & Eric Sorenson, Co-Founders of Strategies 360, Alaska. Come for networking at 11:30, and the program begins at noon.

To view pricing and purchase tickets, visit the AMA Alaska Event page. Weatherholt & Associates are delighted to sponsor this great event, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Getting Down to Business

Monday, December 21st, 2009 |

Dave Weatherholt interviews Kim and Blain Roberts, owners of Westport Winery in Aberdeen, WA. They are passionate about what they do and have built a successful small business. Listen for their advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Accountant Paul Foutz joins the conversation and makes projections for the Alaskan economy. He predicts what businesses can expect in the coming year. This episode of “Getting Down to Business” will be valuable to any small business owner.

Listen or download below:

The Winery
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The Winery

Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships

Monday, November 9th, 2009 |

David Weatherholt talks with Dan Sullivan, Mayor of Anchorage, about the relationship between government and small business. Throughout the decades, government regulation has been pilloried, but without some key legislation, our business environment would be unstable, recessions would be less predictable and small businesses would find it difficult to thrive.

Dan Sullivan shares his business background and the similarities between running a business and a municipal government.

Later in the show, Amanda Cullen, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, explains relationship marketing and how small businesses can develop strategies to build relationships with their customers. Strong customer relationships lead to stronger loyalty, more numerous customer referrals and higher profits.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships

Alaska State Government and Small Business

Monday, November 2nd, 2009 |

On his radio show “Getting Down to Business,” David Weatherholt talks with Bob Poe, gubernatorial candidate for Alaska. Poe discusses his views on the relationship between government and small business– what it looks like currently and what he thinks it should be. This is a great opportunity for small businesses in Alaska to hear the candidate talk about issues affecting their livelihoods.

Also, David speaks with the deputy director of the SBA about the changes enacted last week by the SBA program. Finally, David introduces the show with a history of recessions, how government intervention has helped or hurt the economy and why we no longer call them “economic panics.”

All considered, this episode of “Getting Down to Business” is full of essential knowledge for small businesses.

Alaska State Government and Small Business

Alaska Tourism Report

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 |

Tourism is 11% of Alaska’s economy, so a small change in growth can affect the state dramatically. What will tourism look like in 2010?

Dave welcomes Julie Saupe to the show. She’s the President and CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and provides a forecast on the upcoming 2010 tourist season.

How can small businesses that depend on tourism weather the economic storm? Dave’s next guest, Amanda Cullen, gives small businesses advice for reaching their customers– and it might surprise you just who she thinks is your customer. Her company, Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, specializes in small business marketing.

In the news, Dave talks about the credit crisis still plaguing small businesses, even while larger businesses see credit loosening. Dave’s moved “Getting Down to Business” over to station 1080 KUDO, and he’s excited for the new opportunities this station provides.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Tourism Report

An informative monthly newsletter loaded with solid advice and down-to-earth lessons on how to succeed in your marketplace. Our goal is to stimulate your creativity and provide the courage and knowledge you need to move to the next level in your business.

Editor David Weatherholt brings you business ideas, economic news and views from across the business community. We're proud to bring you advice you can use.

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There are hundreds of thousands of small businesses. Each one of them has owners that spend their days working hard, trying to find the formula for success. Most of them could use good, solid business advice. Weatherholt & Associates, LLC is a consulting firm that helps these businesses discover their own personal formula for success.

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