Then the Alaska Federation of Native’s innovative and inspirational Alaska Marketplace competition came along and rocked our world. We had an opportunity to re-examine a lifelong dream to start our own business utilizing a cultural and sustainable resource in our own backyard, a way to merge Subsistence activity with commercial enterprise. Winning seed-money was a way to minimize the risk we would undertake in pursuing brand development. My sisters and I were going to hand-gather tundra botanicals and see it through to a finished product.

After five long years of careful R&D involving the navigation of a tricky supply chain for a roadless area the size of Ohio, employing technologically advanced value added processes, commissioning an ethnobotany study, utilizing contract manufacturers and their in-house talent (like cosmetic chemists) investing in the extra effort of verifying independent laboratory analysis of our source material for posterity and efficacy and dermatology testing, we are proud to have finally reached fruition as a skin-care company. On March 29, the front page of the Anchorage Daily News[i] announced the availability of our first product from our premier Quyung-lii[ii] line in our 1.7 oz. / 50 mL Anti-Aging Skin Serum.

The way we like to see it, we have managed to turn $90,000 worth of Alaska Marketplace seed money into a million dollar inventory of product along with another million dollar’s worth of extract and spent materials we can produce (such as toiletries) once we can finance those already formulated runs. We are a boutique line; we only need to make so many sales to become sustainable and keep in line with Subsistence philosophy in gathering only what we need and using everything we get. ArXotica is proud of the distinction of achieving a 100% resource utility, in that out of one harvest, many products are possible. For a better understanding of our story, you can look us up on YouTube[iii] for a visual aid of our award winning concept.

GCI, the Alaska Native Contractors Association, Bearing Song of Nome, the Sourdough Mercantile of the Ted Stevens International Airport and AK Starfish Co. are clients; we are currently working on a corporate gifts program.

Alaska Marketplace has done so much for us, even with minimal means, we look for ways to pay it forward by donating product to noble causes such as the Calista Heritage Foundation for youth scholarship, the Raven’s Ball to benefit the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation and to Catholic Social Services for the Clare House, a 24-hour women and children’s shelter. One day, we hope to be able to help sponsor Alaska Marketplace winners by contributing to the seed money pot and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. On behalf of my sisters and my partners, good luck to all entrants and quyana, thank you to all the sponsors that help level the playing field for rural Alaskans to enter the marketplace as business owners.

Michelle Sparck
Guest Blogger & AKM Winner
www.arxotica.com