Meet the Cohort: Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop Spring 2025
Our Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop program provides business training and assistance, product design and lending services for Alaska Native and American Indian entrepreneurs. These services are FREE and Indigenous-led, and made possible through our partnership with Cook Inlet Tribal Council and Cook Inlet Lending Center.
Interested in joining? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply today!
Mona Eben: Aglaun Accounting Services, LLC
Mona Eben is originally from Unalakleet, Alaska, is an experienced accountant with a passion for supporting local businesses. Inspired by her family's entrepreneurial legacy—her grandfather, Sigliak Eben, operated the Foothills Roadhouse, and her father and uncles ran the Eben Brothers Carpentry Shop and Electric Plant—she is committed to following in their footsteps. With a dual degree in Accounting for Informational Management and Organizational from Alaska Pacific University, Mona has spent decades in finance, holding roles as a finance director, controller, and project accountant across various industries.
Eliana Kayouikluk: Sod House
Eliana Kayouikluk is an Alaska Native entrepreneur and esthetician dedicated to empowering women through skincare. With years of experience in esthetics and a background in graphic design, she is now ready to launch her own spa, creating a safe and welcoming space for Indigenous women to feel confident in their own skin.
Marv Alexie: Marvelous Marv’s
Marv Alexie, a seasoned chef with over 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry, is ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. After working as a sous chef at various establishments and earning a reputation for cooking exceptional food, He is ready to start his own business. With a menu already planned, Marv envisions launching "Marvelous Marv's" as a hot food vendor this summer, to share his love of traditional foods.
Auktweena Renner: Lucky Alaskan
Auktweena Renner, owner of Lucky Alaskan, is an entrepreneur combining creativity with resilience. Drawing inspiration from her moose-hunting family and her personal journey of self-discovery through therapy, her t-shirt designs reflect themes of survival, Alaska, and fixing what’s broken.
Andrea Adams: Hatham Peak Designs
Andrea Adams, founder of Hatham Peak Designs, is an emerging entrepreneur with a passion for working with qiviut, (musk ox wool). Since learning to knit with qiviut in April 2022 during a workshop at Inupiphany. Andrea’s goal is to host workshops, teaching others to knit with qiviut and sharing this traditional craft.
Michael Livingston: The Benny Benson Foundation
Dr. Michael Livingston is a cultural heritage specialist with the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, where he leads Project Unangam Ulaa, a research initiative exploring how ancient Unangax̂ sod house designs can inform modern, energy-efficient Arctic housing. Raised in Cold Bay, Alaska, his family homesteaded at the mouth of Trout Creek, and he carries a deep connection to Unangax̂ traditions, learning Attu basket weaving from Anfesia Shapsnikoff and model baidarka construction from Sergie Sovoroff. With a Doctorate in Education from Idaho State University, Dr. Livingston has dedicated his career to cultural preservation and education. Now, he is expanding into the world of 3D printing, scanning, and photogrammetry to bring new dimensions to his artistic and historical work. In preparation for the 100th anniversary of Alaska’s flag, he aims to create a full-size statue honoring Benny Benson, the Alaska Native boy who designed the state flag in 1927.
So’oletala Timoteo: Sister Sister
So’oletala Timoteo is one of two co-owners of Sister Sister, a Hawai‘i and Filipino fusion food business with a loyal following. During the pandemic, they found great success operating out of a commercial kitchen and delivering through DoorDash. However, rapid growth became overwhelming, leading them to pause operations. Now, they are ready to relaunch with a clearer vision and a goal of establishing a thriving restaurant that brings people back to high-quality, home-style cooking.
Erline Weston: Undecided Business Name (PCA Training Program)
Erline Weston is a dedicated training specialist with a background in workforce development. Seeing firsthand the lack of accessible training and education on PCA licensing, Erline is now committed to starting a business that provides this guidance, so that more families have access to obtaining PCA certifications to care for their elders.
Kira Lena
Kira Lena is a jewelry artist with family roots in Bethel and Akiak, who grew up in Anderson and Chugiak. Her work incorporates deerskin, beads, metals, and Indigenous styles that honor cultural values. While her jewelry business has been small-scale, she is considering expanding or shifting her focus.
Inspired by women’s cooperatives in Guatemala that foster creativity, community, and traditional artistry, Kira envisions creating a similar model in Alaska to support Indigenous artisans. She wants to learn how businesses operate and how to build a sustainable structure that allows Native artists to thrive together.
Kay Moffit
Kay Moffit is an entrepreneur from northeastern Oklahoma with a multi-faceted business vision. She is exploring opportunities in the federal procurement space under the 8(a) program, with a focus on set-asides for services in military bases, federal buildings, and homes—including basic home repair, power washing, and drug testing facilities.
While Kay has no prior experience with set-asides, she has a strong foundation in selling beadwork and other Indigenous crafts. She is skilled in making cradleboards and ribbon appliqué and plans to use sales from her artwork to help fund her larger business goals.