Ready to start or expand your business?
Looking to be your own boss? Set Up Shop is here to help!
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 in partnership with Cook Inlet Lending Center.
Whether you have just an idea, a new business, or an established business, Set Up Shop can provide the tools needed to grow, and ongoing resources to help your continued self-employment journey.
Program Outline
1
Free Business Training:
Participants will join weekly evening training sessions. Our next cohort begins October 2026.
Each week, class will feature topics to help you grow your business, including business planning, operations, marketing, financials, and more, all taught by experienced staff and industry professionals from Indigenous communities. Specialized topics include a class by Cook Inlet Lending Center on accessing capital for your business.
2
Access to Lending Services:
Each participating entrepreneur will have access to education and one-on-one support from small business loan officers at Cook Inlet Lending Center to discuss small business loan eligibility and available options to finance your business now or in the future.
Interested in joining?
13Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Fill out our quick and easy application at the link below, and our team will follow up with you to discuss your goals. Participants must be available for the training dates, and must identify as Alaska Native or American Indian to be eligible.
Our next 12-week cohort will begin in January 2027. Looking for something sooner, or don't want to commit to a full 12 weeks? Join us for a 5-week Indigenous Peoples Set Up Shop Intensive this October! Learn the foundations of Indigenous entrepreneurship through an abbreviated curriculum.
Classes will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM from October 13th through November 10th. Topics include the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Bookkeeping, Financial Wellness, Loan Readiness, and Alaska Natives in Business. Participants who take the Intensive will be eligible to attend additional sessions in January as a part of the full cohort.
Have questions? Reach out to our Program Manager Caleigha Gotthardt at cgotthardt@anchoragelandtrust.org!