Jasmin Smith, launched her own small business, Baby Vend, in 2016, has coached more than 650 entrepreneurs in owning and operating their own businesses across the nation. In 2020, she helped launch the new Alaska Black Business Directory, where people can search for Black-owned businesses across Alaska from shops to restaurants.

She also co-founded in 2020 the Umoja Coworking and Incubators, a business services space focused on cultural empowerment and what role that plays in business development.

Smith was named a finalist by national Black media network theGRIO for their inaugural Hero award. The award spotlights African-Americans across the country who work on improving the Black community and uplifting their culture.

Most recently, Jasmin is helping organize statewide events for Black History Month. She also serves on the Mountain View Community Council, most recently as youth chair and previously President.

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Meredith Noble is an entrepreneur, community leader, best-selling author, and outdoor adventurer in Alaska. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, the #1 online membership for those building a career in grant writing. In this episode she is so spunky, motivational, and left us speechless more than once with some major truth bombs!

Meredith helps the entrepre-curious build lifestyle freedom. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, an online membership for those building their careers in grant writing. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Business Insider, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, and other top publications. She has secured over $42 million in grant funding, and her students have secured over $627 million - a number that grows daily. If Meredith's not biking or skiing in Alaska, she can be found curled around a steaming cup of green-tea and a good book.

http://learngrantwriting.org/

https://www.learngrantwriting.org/webinar-videos/discover-grant-writing

https://www.instagram.com/meredith.noble/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/senecaworks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/22meredith/

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Derrick L. Green is a 21-year US Army Veteran who served as a Military
Policeman and he created a thriving food brand called Waffles and Whatnot.
Having spent years as a suicide interventionist, victim advocate, and business
strategist, believes each person was born with a unique gift or contribution that can
change their life but most spend their time living by the rules someone else set for
them, often restricting their full potential. It’s not their fault. They grew up in a
society determined to churn out better employees, not people determined to live
their purpose. Having succeeded and failed, Derrick eventually found his voice and
now spends his time helping others find their significance in life. His primary drive
now focuses on being Life’s Fridge Cook; helping driven individuals convert their
life’s experiences, good and bad, into the ingredients for the Sauce of Their Life.

https://derricklgreen.com
https://wafflesandwhatnot.com
On Instagram @theofficialderricklgreen
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-green-676191b4/

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Meet Carrie Jean Shephard: the go-to statewide Business Coach & Trainer at the fresh Alaska Women’s Business Center and a serial entrepreneur with ventures like Toast of the Town, The Nave, End of Summer Camp, and Bespoke Data under her belt. She's a key player behind Alaska Startup Week, 1 Million Cups, and a cofounder of Spenard 2nd Saturday. Justin and I have loved Carrie for a long time so let’s dive in to this week’s episode!

With her husband, she co-owns a coworking Airbnb to attract new talent to Alaska’s startup scene. On the forefront of innovation, Carrie Jean is now diving into the AI scene with a new venture aimed at revolutionizing workplace training for the creative minds.

Eyeing a future that blends tradition with entrepreneurship, she dreams of introducing a Chinese Tea Garden inspired by her roots in Suzhou, China, and later, a bespoke fragrance brand. Carrie Jean embodies the spirit of community, innovation, and making waves. She’s all about connecting, inspiring, and shaping a vibrant future where creativity meets resilience.

Book a free coaching call (yes, it’s always free and paid for by your tax dollars) by registering at https://businessimpactnw.org/

Get the resources you need at sba.gov and bookmark AKV3.com immediately.

Join the FB Alaska Startups Group for funding, training and community updates.

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Kass Smiley has been a touring Comedian and Singer-Songwriter in Alaska for almost 15 years, where she was a fixture of the Anchorage comedy scene. She is also the Founder and chief organizer of the Alaska B4uDie Comedy Festival since its inception in 2018. When she isn't producing comedy shows, she can be found supporting local artists and organizing for reproductive rights.

https://www.alaskab4udiefest.com

Insta @b4udiefest
Twitter @b4fest

Vogue model, digital equity advocate, filmmaker, and athlete... THE Brittany Woods-Orrison! Brittany (she/her/that auntie) is Koyukon Dené from Dleł Taneets, Alaska, a small village on the Yukon River. For her grade school years she split her time between growing up in the village living the traditional subsistence lifestyle and going to school in Fairbanks. She attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka then continued her academic athlete career at Menlo College in the Bay Area of California. After graduating, Brittany went on a roadtrip across the Western states before moving back home to Alaska. Brittany is the Broadband Specialist for AKPIRG and Native Movement which are both part of the Just Transition Collective. Outside of work Brittany is a model, athlete, and filmmaker. Brittany practices her culture through learning traditional skills, making regalia, tanning hides, harvesting, and practicing Denakkanaaga.

Insta: alaskan_on_the_globe

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alaskanontheglobe

AKPIRG: https://www.akpirg.org

Native Movement: https://www.nativemovement.org

JTC: https://www.justtransitionak.org

Alaska Native Filmmakers Intensive 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3S6OfS3QQ_BjyidW7IKYlx37KJaCeiY1

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Shaylyn Goard is an award-winning actress, a singer, dancer, model, small business owner, military wife, and homeschool mama located in Anchorage. She is currently directing “Mean Girls, Jr” the musical with Alaska Theatre of Youth. Get your tickets to this amazing show at alaskatheatreofyouth.org.

Today’s episode is brought to you by The Alaska Current. Visit The Alaska Current for what's happening in Alaska news, arts, and culture.

Shaylyn Goard is an actress, singer, dancer, model, small business owner, military wife, and homeschool mama located in Anchorage. She has a degree in Musical Theatre & Dance, and has performed professionally on tours, at theme parks, on cruises, and with regional theaters on the east coast, and enjoyed film and commercial work on the west coast. Since moving to Alaska in 2020, Shaylyn has performed locally with Anchorage Community Theatre, Cyrano's Theatre Company, TBA Theatre, and taught with Alaska Theatre of Youth. She has won several local awards and competitions these few years, including first place for the NATS Advanced Artists Musical Theatre competition (2021 & 2022), Broadway World's Best Supporting Performer in a Musical (2022 Hello Dolly! & 2023 First Date), Best Direction of a Musical (2023 Alice in Wonderland), and Press Picks second place for Best Female Vocalist (2022). Although her first love is performing on stage, Shaylyn believes strongly in serving the community through the creation and honoring of all kinds of art.

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/

Juliah Barnett is a Fashion Designer who owns Redemption Apparel AK. https://redemptionapparelak.com/ She co-hosts the Redemption Podcast with Staci Leigh. Julia also works as a project manager for the incredible nonprofit MyHouse.
You can see Juliah's new fashion collection in the upcoming Trend Alaska Fashion Fundraiser.

Check out your hosts:

Blaze Bell:
https://www.blazebell.com/
https://www.blazebellmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blazebellbliss/

Justin Williams:
https://www.tiktok.com/@justineatsalaska
www.instagram.com/justineatsalaska/