Live with the Alaska MEP

Curt Anderson  00:02

Okay, hey, David, dude. We’re in Alaska. How are you, brother?

Damon Pistulka  00:08

I’m great Curt, and I can touch you.

Curt Anderson  00:10

I know we’re actually we’re in person for like, okay, so, guys happy Thursday. It’s special live. So it’s three o’clock in Alaska. So that’s seven o’clock on the east coast. It’s four o’clock where you’re from Seattle. And so we’re here with Dr. Alyssa Rodrigues at the Alaska MEP. Man, we’ve as this week been just magical or what a great week. It’s been

Damon Pistulka  00:33

incredibly valuable and just getting around and a listen person and the rest of the MEP team and the wonderful manufacturers that we get to talk to

Curt Anderson  00:42

absolutely. So Dr. Lissa, please, welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being the hostess with the mostest. So we’re in Anchorage, Alaska. So just talk a little bit about what’s going on here at the Alaska MEP. Yeah, so

Alyssa Rodrigues  00:55

we we help manufacturers to succeed basically we we help them if they need to grow if they’re looking to become more efficient, having a hard time hiring people getting their materials, all those sorts of things. That’s what we’re here to help what. And so we’ve been lucky to have both of you here for several days. We had a fantastic training down in Kenai all day long group of manufacturers just saying how wonderful it was game changer. I believe I have a nice little little quote from somebody being a game changer. And so just so excited to be able to offer this to our manufacturers in Alaska. Yeah.

Curt Anderson  01:29

Yeah, yeah, this is wonderful. So MEP is a manufacturing extension partnership. There’s an MEP in all 50 States a lot of exciting things. Just real quick, I know you have to run. I’m just talking about some of the industries up here and some of the manufacturers that you’re working with.

Alyssa Rodrigues  01:44

Yeah. So we have a lot of really, I think really cool manufacturers in Alaska that before I kind of got into this field I didn’t even know we had so of course we have seafood processing, which everybody’s really familiar with. We got boating, shipbuilding, which kind of you know, that makes sense. But we make all sorts of stuff. We make clothing, we make all sorts of food, coffee, we make beer, we make alcohol, wine, you name it. And then we make tea. What am I? Wait a minute, what

Curt Anderson  02:13

do you guys make here by Nietzsche? I’m just I’m asking for I’m asking first friend. Just wondering when I heard tea. I’m just kidding. So lots of an eye. Like we have great manufacturers here in the room. There’s all sorts of different things that they manufacture. We’ve seen different food and all sorts of different things up here. I know you need a run any parting thoughts that you want to share with everybody about what’s going on in manufacturing here in Alaska,

Alyssa Rodrigues  02:35

so much potential with Alaska manufacturing, I think in Alaska, we just kind of think that manufacturing doesn’t work. It’s just simply pressing. But it’s not. We have lots of manufacturers that have been around for years, and making it work. And anything that we can do to help them compete in an ultra competitive global market is going to be fantastic to help Alaska’s economy needs diversity in our economy. And manufacturing is a fantastic way to get it done.

Curt Anderson  03:00

All the cool kids are going to manufacture and I hear that’s what everybody’s been talking about up here in Alaska all week, and we’re hearing it in the lower 48. So it’s a hey, that’s how we’re here. So hey, we’ll give you a hug. So thank you. I know you need to get running. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So yeah, we’re all good. So okay, well let you run. I know you have an appointment to get to. So Damon, just talk a little bit about what you’ve been experiencing this week.

Damon Pistulka  03:25

It’s been it’s been great to be able to go out and see the manufacturers, you know, out there and making it happen in Alaska. It’s very inspiring. I just sold products we’ve seen right and

Curt Anderson  03:37

great people, right? Hey, speaking of like, really cool manufacturers, you know, Speak of the devil. So our so Samson, how are you, brother? Happy, happy. Awesome. Happy Thursday. So welcome to LinkedIn live. And just share a little bit about your what’s going on with you, your company, just share with everybody what’s going on?

Samson Shepherd  03:57

Yeah, so my name is Samson shepherd. I am the owner of Arctic Manufacturing Services here in Anchorage, Alaska. We provide engineering and manufacturing services, specifically machining and metal work. And yeah, we’re a growing thriving company that enjoys our time off and then making things awesome. So

Curt Anderson  04:15

you get you graciously gave Daymond a little tour yesterday. super impressive with your company, what you’re cool machinery, cool product. Just talk about some of the solutions from the products that you’re offering to the market.

Samson Shepherd  04:28

Yeah. So one of the main products that I’ve brought to market about two years ago is a Nordic ice skate. And so it’s a flatter, longer ice, skate and skate. Yeah. And it’s great on the wild ice and Alaska. In an Arctic area, it’s nice to be able to test that product for

Curt Anderson  04:45

years. Yeah. Well, that was fantastic. And as a father of a figure skater, man, I totally love seeing the skate. How about some of your engineering services? Let’s let’s go there.

Samson Shepherd  04:54

Yeah, so as a scamp mechanical engineer here in Anchorage, Alaska, I provide 10 improvement drawings. or HVAC or plumbing drawings for kind of the professional engineering side. And then I also help people with product innovation and product development. So somebody has an idea or a vetted product, I can help with producing engineer drawings. You know, maybe some prototypes even Yeah. And then hopefully, eventually you come back to me and we can make us more production.

Curt Anderson  05:19

Yeah. And that’s a cool thing is not only can you help bring that dream to life for that entrepreneur, you can actually create that prototype, take it to the next level, do the production run, and you kind of cover the full gamut laska manufacture like you don’t boy, there’s quite a there’s a geographically you know, there’s distance. There’s a lot of cool manufacturing. And that’s kind of your your in that community. What do you hear in boot, you know, boots in the street as far as like cool manufacturing opportunities here in Alaska? Let’s, let’s go there.

Samson Shepherd  05:46

Yeah, I think that the kind of world of machining and machine shops is interesting one, because it is based on digital files. So you can work with customers all over the globe. I tend to focus on local customers, because not trying to have a giant business just just trying to sustain myself. Yeah, there are enough customers here for me to kind of fill that need. Yeah. But I think that, you know, really, it’s the kind of high end automated manufacturing is the future. Yep. And that can be done with less people, less resources, and hopefully in more remote locations.

Curt Anderson  06:21

Awesome. Last question for you, the Alaska MEP. We’re had a cool workshop that they’ve put on. I know you and I’ve got we’ve met and got to work together through the last time up your impression for folks out there that are new to the MEPs.

Samson Shepherd  06:34

Yeah. So I have only worked with the Alaska AP. Basically, as soon as I went in business for myself, I realized that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership seemed to have the right words in it. I emailed factoring, and it’s great to kind of see the offerings that they’ve brought to the table. Yeah. Some have been applicable to me. Some have not been, but it’s free and it’s easy to be involved with. And Samuel, Alisa are very easy people to hear things about. Whether it’s manufacturing or just what they have.

Curt Anderson  07:03

That’s right. They’re very easy to love. Well, Samsung, thank you. I appreciate it. Yeah, appreciate. It was. This has been great day today. So who do we got next? Coming up. So all right here, here comes man, we’ve got Damon, I gotta check my pacemaker right now. So Holy cow, man. We’ve got we’ve got we’ve got hey, we’ve got we’ve got Virginia Lynn Peterson here and so Lynn, you’re I hate to say it demon. repeat offender right here. So she’s been on the program multiple times. So then we got to, and we might Damon you might have to bust my chops. You might have to put it out there. What happens smarter. But anyway, let’s talk about Lynn and your fierce entrepreneurial spirit. Talk about your company SWOOP what’s going on swoop

Virginia Peterson  07:48

so I am Virginia and Peterson like they said and I am the onerous whoop and we make bras and loungewear. It started as a need as I’m a nurse and could not find a bra that I like to wear for 12 hours, which I’m sure a lot of people can relate to.

Curt Anderson  08:05

Damon’s right.

Virginia Peterson  08:08

So I designed a bra. And the big thing that about our bras is we kept it simple. So we put rings and sliders in the front. We don’t do a hook and I in the back. We made it more supportive than a bra that but not as supportive as sports bra. So it’s like an all day everyday bra that’s perfect for nurses. We’re getting 12 hour shift for any busy women woman. We started that four years ago and now we’ve expanded into underwear bras shirt, shorts and tunics.

Curt Anderson  08:35

Nice possum Laska. MEP. Well, you’ve been working with them for a number of years. What’s What’s your impression of the Alaska MEP?

Virginia Peterson  08:43

Oh, my gosh, um, I think the biggest shout out I can give them is I wouldn’t be where I am and be standing in this room without the MEP. I think, you know, for me starting a business was never on my bucket list. It kind of came out of left field. I mean, I was like literally making these in a room in my house. And now we’ve just grown and grown and grown. And not having that business background. They are this incredible source and have connected me with which you guys can’t even see but the people that are in this room right now, there are just so many smart, wonderful, helpful people and without them EPF none of that would be here.

Curt Anderson  09:21

Wow. That’s so inspiring. And it is challenging as an entrepreneur, it gets a little bit lonely, right? Especially when you’re an you’re an accidental entrepreneur, you know, nurse that one day, you know and let’s go there, you know, so your your career, not a career nurse, but you’ve been nurse for a number of years, you’ve had great profession, you have your masters, you know, all sudden, you know, you wake up one day you’re like, Man, I have a problem. I have an issue and nobody’s going to solve it unless I solve it. What walk us through that process.

Virginia Peterson  09:49

Yeah, so I mean, for me it was basically I don’t know it was I like to be crafty. So I made a bra and I was like wow, this is like a really good work bra and then I made one for my friend. And she was like, Oh my gosh, this is a really good, good bra. And it spread like a wildfire. Wow, fire, right. And so then all of a sudden, everybody in my department wanted a bra. And then people I didn’t know one at a bra. And so it just kind of, you know, just built on itself. So yeah, here we are

Curt Anderson  10:21

in what I love is like, you know, you had the courage you had the tenacity to take a dream, bring it to life. And now this little side wasn’t even side was a hobby. They like, hey, a friend likes you know, and you’re like, man just kind of wear as well and you start sharing it. Now, like it’s turned into this, it’s not even a side hustle. Like, this is a business. And like you’re off the runway, we had a great conversation this morning. We’re talking about like inventory control, you know, talk like for other manufacturers that maybe, you know, talk to your previous self, when you had that dream, your idea? What are some strategies, some tips, some advice that you would share for an entrepreneur that wants to bring their dream to life?

Virginia Peterson  10:57

Um, you know, not to just keep bringing up the MVP, but I do think, for me, looking back, I think MVP, Small Business Development Center. And I do think it’s probably worth investing in a coaching class. Yeah, I would say that. I think that those three things for me have really helped me be where I am, you know, and I mean, gosh, I feel like I’ve listened to every business podcast and YouTube short and all things, right. So just education,

Curt Anderson  11:25

folks that are interested in learning more about swoop, where can they find you?

Virginia Peterson  11:29

We have an online store where Swoope, w e a r as wop.com. You can find all of your bra needs there and other items as well.

Curt Anderson  11:41

Awesome. Last question for you. What’s the future look like? At swoop? Just sky’s the limit? Just Are you just are you getting chills? On fire? Right, right. Right. Yeah.

Virginia Peterson  11:51

So um, you know, we manufacture almost all of our products here in Alaska. And we want to keep that going. We do. We do do some manufacturing outside of Alaska. And that is so we can bring the same items at a lower cost. Yeah, because it is very expensive to manufacture up here. Sure. But we don’t want to stop that. I mean, Alaska is one of our big inspirations and being in the mountains like we all wear today. Yeah. So incredible. Yeah. So we don’t ever want

Megan Militello  12:19

that to go away.

Curt Anderson  12:20

That’s right. So Lynn is like just a fearless mountain climber, man. And just you know, Kurt didn’t quite make it. So that’s a I’m not a young man anymore. So we’re gonna go without me. So they’re like, What are we talking about? So then, man, we love you.

Virginia Peterson  12:40

Thank you for coming up to Alaska.

Curt Anderson  12:43

Thank you. All right, who’s next? Miss Megan? Miss Magan. Who is who’s next? So man, we better Damon, we better sit down for this one. Oh, my goodness. gracious man. Oh, man, Maggie. Then, while I might just get choked up, we even have a United States here. So Damon, another repeat offender here. So Megan, I’ve I don’t really know where to start. So a little background, I knew what’s going on?

Megan Militello  13:17

Oh, well. I was an air traffic controller in the army for a while. And now I own a granola company. It’s called elevated oats. We put fruits and vegetables as second ingredient in our granola. And we’re manufactured here in Alaska. My business partner lives in Washington. We’re about three and a half years old, and over 140 locations. And

Curt Anderson  13:40

well, first off, thank you for your service guys. We have we have a true American hero here. You did two tours in Iraq. And just you know, just thank you. We applaud you. We see you just worship you. So thank you for what you’ve done. And you know, talking about your entrepreneurial journey. I know like you’ve been on the show before, but just you know, for folks catching you for the first time. Like how did you become an entrepreneur? How do you go from military to air traffic control to like, you know, this relentless, tenacious, and you need a follow Megan on LinkedIn, man, but walk us through that process.

Megan Militello  14:16

Okay, great questions. Great questions, especially going from the military. Right. I joined when I was 17. So that was kind of like, high school military. Yeah. I racked two months, like after I turned Oh, really? Yeah, it was. Yeah. I turned 19 in Iraq, and then I turned 21 in Iraq.

Curt Anderson  14:33

Did you guys? Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

Megan Militello  14:39

So my father is an entrepreneur and my grandfather is an entrepreneur. My grandfather actually just sold his business that he’s had for I don’t even know 40 plus years. My father has several different companies so I have always had the

Curt Anderson  14:57

Yeah, Jr. DNA like you don’t You have a choice, right? Yeah.

Megan Militello  15:01

And then you just start thinking in a different way your brain works operates in a different way as an entrepreneur, right? You see all these opportunities, problems that can be solved. And that’s kind of what landed me on to the food thing because I was doing aviation, but everyone around me was eating crap. What do we have available to us? And I was living in Hawaii, so everything was like me. Rice, mac salad, right? Nobody’s eating fruits or vegetables. So when I moved to Alaska, I was like, Okay, this could be something a way to help people like how can we give people healthier options? Elevated? Oh, it’s just turned into a way bigger thing than I ever expected as being

Curt Anderson  15:42

right. Isn’t it? Awesome. Yeah. So now let’s slide gears. Let’s talk about the Alaska MEP. So now now, you’re actually you’re on the board. Right? How are you know what? You know what, and I would be regretful, if I didn’t share, guys, if you please tell, where can they find your TED talk?

Megan Militello  16:01

Okay, so if you go to I’m just gonna say ted.com. Yeah. Or you could just go to YouTube, but it’s called The Power of starting over. And that was my TED talk last year. But

Curt Anderson  16:12

yeah, so if you want to see just a moving inspirational TED talk, you absolutely. smurfing, as soon as you’re done watching this, go to ted.com. And watch Megan on her TED Talk. And so let’s go back to the last MEP, you’re on the board. What’s the last time you pee? You know, as an entrepreneur, it’s, it’s lonely. It’s challenging. What’s it? What’s MEP done? Or meant to you?

Megan Militello  16:34

Well, I think to just manufacturing is its own animal. Right, right. One realm of life. Yeah. So having, having people that are dedicated to manufacturing are a resource that we can reach out to and understand how they can help us. It’s huge, like that is massive. And then to have the networks connected nationwide is also huge, right? We have a bigger network than I think that we even think we do. And having that specialization, it only makes it better for our knees. Right? What did we say? Like goes down until it just gotta keep, like, that focused energy. Yeah, makes it so much more helpful for those that are actually in manufacturing. Right, right. Yeah,

Curt Anderson  17:24

absolutely. Love it. So again, thank you for your inspiration. Thank you for everything that you’re doing. 2023 what’s inspiring you what’s like, what’s moving forward for your future?

Megan Militello  17:34

We’re gonna come out with cutback. Nice. Look out for a cup of elevated oats cookbook and we’re gonna so you can have some healthier options at home. Make some stuff at home for yours. Awesome.

Curt Anderson  17:43

Well, Megan, thank you. Love heavy. Man, this is fantastic. Stacey. Do you want to come up? Let’s get Stacey up here. We’ve got man. Got Stacy in the house. We have another amazing incredible manufacturer. Stacy, welcome to the program. Sure a little bit about your company. What’s going on at GC Handrail?

Stacey Dean  18:05

Well, we manufacture cable handrails for people to do their, their DIY project at home, and take care of their own stuff. Yeah, so we supply the tools also so that you can install it yourself. And we have great videos for you step by step on how to put it all together.

Curt Anderson  18:20

Awesome in where would they find all these awesome videos?

Stacey Dean  18:23

They’re on our YouTube page. Or you could just go to our website and find the links. All right there.

Curt Anderson  18:28

So let’s back up a little bit. Let’s get underneath the hood of GC Handrail. How did this brainchild How did this little super innovative product come to life? Let’s let’s go there.

Stacey Dean  18:37

We have a remodeling company. And so we were making them for ourselves, actually, first, we brought other people’s and found that their product was really lacking. So we’re having our own. And it’s been about 10 years, we started having our own. And then about four years ago, somebody said, Hey, where’d you get those? And so we made it ourselves? And they’re like, we sell them to us or like thought of that one, right? So we went ahead and did all that. But before we we we put them on the market. And we actually actively sold the product. We made sure we had our videos or how to videos in place. We made sure we had our instructions, and exactly how everything was supposed to go together so that we were not putting the cart before the horse. Right.

Curt Anderson  19:22

Awesome process. Let’s get it now, if I understand correctly, did you join the board for the Alaska MEP? Yes. And that’s what does Alaska mean P done for you meant for you. Let’s let’s what inspired you to get on their board. Let’s go there.

Stacey Dean  19:35

Well, first, I took a lot of the classes and really enjoyed the fact that they were willing to bring in people that are much higher caliber to teach than what we had been had seen previously in Alaska, because I had taken SBA classes and SPDC classes and other you know, associations, classes and stuff and never really felt like the instructors were of the caliber I was looking for. And so it was really excited when I took the Look at the classes and saw and really paid attention to who actually was going to be teaching versus, you know, because I’m looking for more than just Alaska people, right. And so and you guys had been teaching for a while you knew what you were doing and the in the links that you had all the information that you provided was so much more than what a local person could give us.

Curt Anderson  20:23

Well, well, thank you, Stacey. Did my mom call you? So? No, that was very kind. But you are an incredible inspiration. I have the honor and privilege of being part of your business for the past couple of years. And just share like, what’s going on with GCC handrail for 2023, I think you have some a little bit of exciting.

Stacey Dean  20:43

Oh, we bought commercial lot. And well, actually, it’s industrial property. And we’re getting ready to build a building. And so we’re actually going to be moving into our own place and hopefully no longer have to rent. It’s a little ways out. But we’ve got the property purchase.

Curt Anderson  20:57

How cool is that? And then just question how like, how are sales going this year?

Stacey Dean  21:03

We’re up two and a half times over last year, two

Curt Anderson  21:05

and a half. Drop the mic right there, right, two and a half times over last year. So yeah, you are doing amazing work.

Stacey Dean  21:14

We’re just you know, it’s partly your health, for sure. I mean, just that information that has been so helpful when it comes to just simple SEO. SEO is just thinking about your taglines and things like that. And it’s going to search because people find us on Google, right? If they don’t see us on Instagram, or Facebook first. So yeah, so we’re just we’re having a lot of fun. And you guys have made it to stay fun.

Curt Anderson  21:43

Well, perfect. Well, Stacey, thank you for all you’re doing. You’re making manufacturing really awesome. All the cool kids are going in manufacturing, you’re one of them. And so just a lot of exciting things here in Alaska. So thank you. So again, GC handrail, check out the website, check out your YouTube videos, all sorts of great information. And so thank you. Thank you. Appreciate you. We pre hanging out with you this week. And we actually thank you for the tour yesterday. Yes, we got to. Yes, we got to check out in your two dogs root, Ruby and right. Yeah, so we got to hang out with the dogs yesterday. And so it was just great hanging out. So check out Stacy’s website. And again, thank you for all that you’re doing. We appreciate it.

Stacey Dean  22:23

Well. You know, not many people want to come to Alaska this time. Oh, are you kidding? Oh, it’s

22:30

this is? No.

Curt Anderson  22:35

Man I Yeah, June 1. We could anybody can stay where it’s warm, man. It’s like just you know, tough guys come. That’s right. That’s right.

Stacey Dean  22:48

When you came in October that showed that to Alaskans that you’re willing to do the hard work and a lot of a lot of companies won’t come in. Yeah. So you guys coming in.

Curt Anderson  22:59

You know, I’m coming in January, January next time. So I’ll come here anytime. And I just I love it up here. So, Stacey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate you spending the day with us and week with us. Who do we got left? Mr. Brad? is in the house here. So we got Mr. Brad. I just want to check something real quick. So how’s it see? We’re good. We’re good. We’re good. Eight. We’ve got Brad in the house. Brad. How are you, brother? So hey, dude, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming today. Heather’s choice. Talk about you your company. What’s going on here? Oh, man.

23:33

Lots. So where do we where do you want me?

Curt Anderson  23:37

Anywhere you want to start? Man? What do you guys yeah, let’s start with what what is Heather’s choice what product the solution that you provide. It’s really cool cutting edge. Let’s go there.

23:46

Yeah, so Heather’s choice is a line of dehydrated meals and snacks. Yes, designed to be taken out on Adventures in the backcountry. Yep. So we make Just Add Water dinners and breakfasts. Now we also have a line of snacks. They’re a little coconut cookies called pack runes. Nice. So they’re a snack for your backpack? Yep. And yeah, we are. We’re really pushing to continue that our nationwide distribution. So we’re in major retailers like REI, nice Men’s Wearhouse. Awesome. Also, lots of little foam and shop stores around the country as well as obviously our our website. Yep. Amazon. So we’re really kind of everywhere right now.

Curt Anderson  24:25

Let’s go back to the birth of Heather’s choice. How did this entrepreneurial journey get started? Let’s go there.

24:31

Oh, well, I’m the wrong person to be representing this but person’s name is Heather. Yep. And she started the business just kind of out of necessity. Really. She was going on it back. Back country rafting trip. Yep. Needed to pack a bunch of you know, I think it was a month’s worth of foods in the backpack. And what she realized was through her prior experience as a nutritionist, the options that were out there weren’t weren’t gonna work. Great. Yeah, so she bought a little at home dehydrator started drying her own food. Yep. She shared some with some friends and essentially got there and just starting the business and

Curt Anderson  25:09

you got Derek. Yeah, I dare you to start a business. Another accidental entrepreneur, man. I mean, don’t you love it? Like, you know, this is a perfect example where like, you know, there’s a problem needs to be solved. And so what do people do? They go out and they solve that problem and get this thing started. So that’s what’s new and exciting that Heather’s choice what’s, what’s it looking like for this year?

25:28

Yeah. So new and exciting. We’re constantly looking at developing your recipes. People are always excited about different stuff. Yeah, that’s one of the things that’s differentiated us from the beginning is we’re a little bit more exotic with our flavors. So when we do things like curries, we have an African peanut stew that many people have never tried before. And it’s delicious. So yeah, it’s always fun to do the recipe development thing, right? We’re actually considering expanding into a much larger facility, right? We’re looking at equipment that’s more expensive than we ever thought it could be. But that’s all exciting stuff. So yeah, just really trying to embrace what comes with being a manufacturer.

Curt Anderson  26:13

Well, awesome. So I know you guys are big fans and advocates of the Alaska MEP. And can you just share a little bit of like your experience of working with the team here in Alaska at the manufacturing extension partnership?

26:23

Yeah, absolutely. You know, the MEP, came through in a really big way in 2020. For us, there were a few workshops that I attended, especially in regards to the supply chain side of things. And as you can imagine, getting things to and from Alaska is is a logistical challenge that a lot of people don’t have to write with right not to say that out of pity. Yeah, it’s just something that it became even more difficult when the pandemic. And so through going through those courses, we were able to really help get a handle on our supply chain, better way. And it introduced us to other concepts, you know, from the toilet away and things like that, that were we’ve implemented and we’re utilizing to this day, right. Alyssa and Sammy Jo, and the rest of the crew here have been nothing but supportive. Yeah, always reaching out and couldn’t be any more gracious or grateful.

Curt Anderson  27:23

Perfect. Last question for you where and how can people find you find your company find this amazing, incredible product? Yeah.

27:30

Yeah, so Heather’s choice.com is our website. Everything’s on there. It’s all for sale. It’s all in stock. Yep. Yep. Which is the first for this time of year. Nice. So that’s really good. Like I said, we’re on Amazon. And Rei workings, warehouse shields. You know, any pretty much any outdoor store in the lower 48? Or the red states, I should say, yeah. If you don’t have it there, then ask him for asking right

Curt Anderson  27:57

started asking your local store to get Heather’s choice on the shelf. So I tell you just another perfect example of the cool product. You know, when people are thinking like, you know, boy, what can be made in Alaska? I mean, there’s, we’ve just seen tons of examples this week, Taemin of just great products being made. And I tell you, dude, you and Heather are such an inspiration. We commend you applaud you salute you. Thank you. Appreciate you. Thanks for hanging out with us today. So okay, so um, who we got last costume? Did you want to come up here? Did you want to? Yeah, come on in. We got to get costume. And then if you guys want to stick around one more minute, or if you guys gotta go you gotta go. But all right, we’re, we’re gonna we’re gonna wrap up with Mr. costumes in the house. costume. Dude, what a great week. Just a quick introduction to yourself. You’re a teammate here of the last MEP. What’s going on?

Kassim Kurani  28:47

So costume Karani, I’m now the Associate Director for the Alaska MEP just joined here a little over a month ago. Nice come from a long time entrepreneur, my dad and I were Pizza Hut franchisees as a financial advisor. I have helped a couple of the people you’ve seen already on this podcast gets get started on their businesses. So kind of a my where my passion lies naturally is helping business owners either get started or take it to the next level.

Curt Anderson  29:15

Right. Awesome. Awesome. Just share a little bit some of the services that you serve folks out there that are not familiar with the Alaska MEP. What are some of the services that you guys who have solutions that you offer? Let’s go there.

Kassim Kurani  29:26

Oh, man, that’s

Curt Anderson  29:27

a big that’s a big venue right.

Kassim Kurani  29:30

I think the biggest thing is is that one of our biggest things is we act as connectors. So whether it’s you’re needing insurance you’re needing help with Lean Manufacturing, you’re needing help with Six Sigma bringing in getting rid of your variations constraint theory, however it is you’re facing whatever those problems are. We have either in house we have the talent to help fix it. Or we know the vendors you need to talk to right

Curt Anderson  29:54

right. You know a guy right right. Yeah, just fierce. Fierce networker, and so I can’t express how much Daymond I’ve enjoyed getting to know you learning from you, lifetime entrepreneur and just the experience, the expertise, the passion that you’re bringing to the MEP network. And just, you know, time and time again, when we interview people from that MEP, it’s, you know, it’s just blown away. Yeah, and just, you know, you bring such a unique flavor, pun intended, you know, we’ve been in the food business for years and years, because like, your customer facing you understand supply chain, you understand leadership, you understand, you know, so many different components and manufacturers make, you know, yeah, you’re manufacturing stuff every day, you know. So, you know, just share, like, you know, how you understand that entrepreneur in the trenches, like what they’re going through?

Kassim Kurani  30:44

That’s a difficult question, because you kind of have so many aspects of it. But it’s, I think the biggest thing that we always faced is, you know, the old cliche is that you can’t see the forest for the trees. Yeah. And a lot of times, that’s what we’re looking at is that people are getting so entrenched in what are the what is the widget that they’re building? Yeah, that they don’t understand how it’s getting used by their customers. Yeah. How is it really applying to the real world? And that’s one of those things that I think I told a little to add on earlier. Yeah, got to work with that the biggest strength I personally bring is the 30,000 foot view. Yeah. Is that you know, the strategic planning and how is it going to work? Six months, six years down the road,

Curt Anderson  31:28

and how you can see blind spots and just, you know, again, bringing your wealth of experience on how you covered things. So, Damon, I think we’re gonna start winding down here. So what an amazing, incredible week what a blessing. It’s been your parting thoughts? How would you know, I was just,

Damon Pistulka  31:44

it’s been, like I said many times already this week, it’s been so great. Just being able to talk to the manufacturers here in Alaska and learn more about the Alaskan AP. You guys have great resources, right? There’s so many cool manufacturers doing doing just wonderful things here. Like we’ve talked to today, we talked to earlier this week, we dial in Kenai talk, and so on. Yeah. It’s so cool. And when you get here and really understand how much is happening, right? It’s like we haven’t even scratched the surface. Yeah. And that’s just cool. I’m just excited just to be here.

Curt Anderson  32:17

Yep. I agree. So guys, we’re gonna wind down. And so this is little impromptu live. But we just want to give a big thank you and a huge shout out to costumes to Yeah, to everybody that’s listening. We want to just give a huge shout out to the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership. I say that right Manufacturing Extension Partnership. So just a big shout out to everybody here, all the manufacturers up here. And so this is just we’re having a great week. We’re coming back at you live tomorrow with a manufacturer very an Army veteran hero. He was injured in the Iraq War started a company so we get to interview him tomorrow. And so guys, we will see you next time. So thank you for everybody out there joining listening in and have a great whatever time zone you’re in. Have a great evening. Yes.

Damon Pistulka  33:05

Thank you so much, everyone.