Meet the Cohort: Set Up Shop Plan It Spring 2025
Our free Set Up Shop: Plan It program trains entrepreneurs on business strategy, operations, marketing and financials. The program is open to anyone who lives or operates their business in the Municipality of Anchorage.
Interested in joining? Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply today!
Punvira Navy
Punvira is bringing a fresh concept to Anchorage. A cozy coffee shop that also serves as a creative workshop space. Her shop will serve great coffee while offering art workshops, creating a warm and welcoming space for the community. Customers who visit the café zone can enjoy the arts activities and atmosphere. Art workshops benefit mental health and help reduce stress.
Originally from Thailand, Punvira is adjusting to Alaska’s winters and sees the need for more indoor activities. She has business management experience, having managed a business in Thailand, with a background in marketing and short video making. She plans to run the business herself, with a little help from her partner.
Jake Bainbridge
Jake is expanding his animal-assisted therapy services as he transitions into operating as an LLC. Currently volunteering with a 501(c)(3) organization, he provides support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and veterans through the healing power of animal therapy. With a strong commitment to service and years of hands-on experience, Jake is ready to grow his impact by building a sustainable business. His goal is to create a strong professional network that allows him to offer services to a broader audience, including students, veterans, and other community members who can benefit from therapeutic support. He is focused on building a business model that continues to reflect his values while reaching more people who need it most.
Calesia Reed
Calesia is taking a thoughtful approach to launching her business, planning to spend the next year developing a solid strategy that accounts for the natural ups and downs of the business cycle. Her vision is to operate a food truck that serves both breakfast and quick, convenient dinner options, featuring a flexible menu that changes every one to two weeks. She brings hands-on experience from working in food trucks and restaurants, where she supported family-run operations and gained valuable industry insight. Now, she is ready to take the lead on her own venture. Calesia is focused on learning more about business planning and wants to ensure she completes all the necessary steps to set her business up for long-term success.
Amanda and Anthony Leday
Amanda brings years of entrepreneurial experience in retail and the beauty industry. Now she is teaming up with her partner Anthony, a trained chef, to explore a new business venture in the food and beverage space. Their concept is a family-friendly coffee spot that offers a wider range of beverage options for kids, alongside high-quality coffee and light bites. To start, they plan to launch as a food truck, giving them the flexibility to test the market and build a customer base before transitioning to a permanent location. With Amanda’s background in business operations and Anthony’s culinary expertise, they are combining their strengths to create a unique, community-focused brand. They are currently in the planning phase, focused on learning the ins and outs of food truck operations, and are eager to get started once their strategy is in place.
Kedrick Johnson
Kedrick is the owner of The Creole Crab and brings more than 15 years of experience in the culinary industry, including a strong background in fine dining. Alongside his brother, he co-hosts a cooking show called DoubleTheFlavor! which inspired the creation of their latest venture, The Creole Crab Bros, a food truck concept designed to take their bold, flavorful cooking on the road. Their goal is to offer seafood boil bags packed with taste while maintaining lower operational costs compared to a full-scale restaurant. Kedrick plans to use the visibility from their show to promote the food truck and build a loyal customer base. In addition to growing the business, Kedrick is focused on understanding health codes and food safety regulations to ensure full compliance. He is also working toward establishing a solid bookkeeping system and adopting best practices that will support long-term success and sustainability.
Aimee Burgess
Aimee has years of experience running businesses and a strong background in the medical field, which gives her a deep understanding of the importance of mental health, especially in Alaska. As a serial entrepreneur, she is now focusing on creating stress-relief experiences for adults through a unique concept centered around breaking objects in a controlled, therapeutic environment. Her vision is to open a rage room with an attached space for families that includes food, games, and kid-friendly activities. She wants to create a space where adults can enjoy a fun, carefree experience while children and families have their own area to relax and play. In the next six months, Aimee plans to begin forming partnerships and conducting detailed research to support her business launch. Her top priority is finding the right location in the Anchorage area. She is also focused on gaining a deeper understanding of business operations and learning what it takes to manage and grow a successful, experience-based business from the ground up.