On Wednesday, October 1st, as part of Alaska Entrepreneurship Week, a panel of local Seward Businesswomen came together at The Rowdy Radish to share their insights on business ownership, overcoming imposter syndrome, the lessons they’ve learned, and resources they have found most helpful. 

 

Panelists include:

 

  • Briana Murphy of Mother of Millions, the first mobile seaweed hatchery in Alaska, invested in the long-term health of our oceans.

  • Emily Larson of Emily Jordan Photography, specializing in destination weddings and elopements, shot in front of the wild canvas of Alaskan landscapes. 

  • Natalie Norris, of Red Eye Rides- a woman-owned transportation company much needed in Seward. 

  • Sadie Allen of Resurrection Bae, who has steadily grown in the Alaskan handmade craft community in her five years in business, specializes in whimsical polymer clay creations. 


 

In spite of the massive steps forward we have made as a society concerning gender equality, financial literacy is still underemphasized in the education and upbringing of young women. Learning from and seeing female representation in the business world is not only empowering, it is essential.

 

“The biggest blessing I have ever given myself is understanding my cycle and knowing that I am not a man,” says Emily Larson when discussing how she has overcome imposter syndrome and what tools she uses in her day-to-day life. 

 

She explained how our capitalistic business world is structured around the 24-hour hormone cycle of a man, rather than the 28-day cycle of a woman. Emily shared how she aligns her tasks with her cycle: using the menstrual phase for generating ideas, and the follicular and ovulatory phases for strategic action. She encouraged people to just take notes for a few months, as one will inevitably notice patterns in their own cycle to identify which times of the month offer physical energy, reflection, creativity, action, etc- it is different for everyone.

 

Briana Murphy spoke of taking it one step at a time and being clear and to the point when reaching out to people, “Once you kind of get past that initial bit of self-doubt, you can fake it till you make it and take yourself seriously. It comes with taking those initial first steps, like filing an aquatic farm permit with the state, for me. The more you start those conversations with people, it just all builds from there.”

 

Natalie Norris of Red Eye Rides shared that she struggles with dyslexia and ADHD and that, initially, she can get caught feeling overwhelmed by paperwork and contracts with a lot of fine print. The lesson she’s learned? In these moments, it is best to take a step back and slow down when feeling engulfed by the heavier side of business. She discussed how helpful it is to have trustworthy peers to be honest with who can offer honest feedback and constructive criticism. 

 

When asked about what financial resources she has used, Briana shared that she was shocked to find how many resources we have in Alaska, like the Seward Community Foundation and the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Emily invested in herself by hiring out marketing and branding work to professionals in the field, helping her business gain traction online, which freed up space to focus more on the photography side of things. Sadie Allen said that starting small for market displays allowed her products to speak for themselves and helped her connect with her audience through her authentic personality and transparency, rather than spending loads on lofty display materials. 

 

Women have so many unrecognized strengths that benefit them in business and allow them to have an edge over their male counterparts. For example, Natalie shares that she so often connects with customers in meaningful ways when giving them rides by creating a safe space for people to share how they are doing. 

 

Sadie says, “I am a huge supporter of women’s rights, but I am also a huge supporter of women’s wrongs”. 

 

Women should be allowed to take up space, make mistakes, and not immediately have all the answers. It is through being bold and taking honest action that we are able to grow and learn in business. 

 

The panel wrapped up with a lively audience Q&A and complimentary refreshments. “Ladies Who Launch” was a highlight of Alaska Entrepreneurship Week and allowed time and space for women to gather and learn from each other here in Seward.