The 2 Best Home-Based Businesses To Start In Alaska [2024]
Interested in starting a business in Alaska in 2024?
We put together 39 of the best businesses you can start in Alaska today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of how you can start your profitable, home-based small business in Alaska.
Here's the full list:
1. Become a nutritionist ($42K/year)
If you're considering starting a home-based business in Alaska, becoming a nutritionist could be a highly rewarding opportunity. There's a growing demand for personalized nutrition guidance, and you could establish a successful practice offering individual nutritional coaching, meal plans, and health education. Haley Hughes is a great example of someone who took this path. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, she launched her nutrition counseling private practice, "Haley Hughes," after leaving her 9-to-5 job.
Her business, RDRx Nutrition, quickly gained traction, earning $1,800-$2,100 per month within the first year and amassing over 2200 Instagram followers. This success demonstrates that with the right strategies and dedication, you could also turn your passion for health and nutrition into a profitable venture. For more insight into her journey, you can read the full case study here.
RDRx Nutrition is a successful private practice that offers individual nutrition coaching, boasting profits of $1,800-$2,100 per month after just one year of business, and achieving a client base of over 2200 followers on Instagram alone.
2. Start a marketing agency ($2.94M/year)
Starting a marketing agency in Alaska could be a lucrative opportunity due to the state's unique business environment. With a relatively smaller but diverse market, local businesses often need specialized marketing strategies to reach their target audiences. By offering tailored marketing solutions, you could help these businesses grow without the hassle and cost of managing in-house marketing teams.
Additionally, Alaska's remote and dispersed population means that digital marketing and online strategies are especially crucial. Your agency could serve a vital role in connecting businesses with customers across vast distances through effective online campaigns. For inspiration and practical tips, check out some successful case studies on our site.
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Start a women's clothing line ($958K/year)
Starting a women’s clothing line in Alaska could be a rewarding endeavor due to the state’s unique fashion needs and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. With Alaska's distinct seasons and remote communities, there is a high demand for stylish, functional, and versatile clothing tailored to the local climate and lifestyle. You could carve out a niche by offering items that blend fashion with practicality, resonating with the adventurous spirit of Alaskan women.
Moreover, online retail has made it easier than ever to reach customers across vast distances, which is especially beneficial in a state like Alaska where populations are dispersed. Leveraging digital platforms like those recommended here, you could market your brand effectively and build a loyal customer base. For inspiration and practical advice, don’t forget to check out successful case studies of similar ventures.
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
4. Start a tour company ($898K/year)
Starting a tour company in Alaska could provide immense opportunities due to the state’s unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. With popular options like adventure and sporting tours, you could cater to thrill-seekers keen on experiencing Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and dog sledding.
Additionally, offering specialized tours like food and drink tours or historical sightseeing could attract tourists interested in local cuisine and Alaskan history. To explore more about this exciting business idea, check out specific details and read some successful case studies on Starter Story.
How Jessica Baumgart founded a successful food tour business in Denver, which broke even and started making a profit after just three months, generating $20,000/month in revenue from offering different food tour experiences.
5. Start a travel agency ($2.09M/year)
If you're an Alaskan passionate about travel and have entrepreneurial skills, starting a travel agency could be a profitable venture for you. Alaska's unique landscape and attractions create a high demand for customized travel experiences, making it an ideal state to offer specialized travel services. From arranging transport and accommodations to curating adventurous tours, you could capitalize on the state's appeal to both tourists and residents.
The growing interest in eco-tourism and adventure travel presents significant opportunities for a travel agency in Alaska. You could offer exclusive packages that highlight the state's natural beauty, such as guided wilderness expeditions or Northern Lights tours. To get inspired, check out success stories from other travel agencies who have thrived in this industry.
Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.
6. Start a specialty food business ($597K/year)
Starting a specialty food business in Alaska could be a rewarding venture due to the state’s unique food culture and abundant natural resources. You could cater to the growing demand for premium and unique food items by utilizing local ingredients such as Alaskan salmon, reindeer meat, and wild berries, which are highly valued both locally and globally.
Moreover, tourism and a strong emphasis on locally-sourced, quality foods provide ample opportunities for you to market your products to a wider audience. Additionally, the specialty food market is expanding at a 6.4% annual growth rate, which indicates significant potential for growth and profitability. For more details on how to get started, consider reading specialty food business and exploring successful case studies within this niche.
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
7. Start a bedding company ($8.89M/year)
Given Alaska's unique climate and remote locations, a home-based bedding company could thrive by catering to specific local needs. With long, cold winters, Alaskans place high value on warm, cozy, and high-quality bedding, making it an attractive market for products like thermal blankets, flannel sheets, and other comfort-focused items.
Starting a niche bedding business from home allows you to leverage online retail, eliminating the need for physical storefronts in far-flung locations. You could explore more details about this idea and learn from other successful entrepreneurs by reading their case studies. This will give you a practical roadmap tailored to Alaska's unique market conditions.
Sheets & Giggles, an eco-friendly bedding brand, earned nearly $500,000 and 6,000 orders in the first 6 months of business through Indiegogo, and utilizes pun-based marketing and a DTC model to tap into a fragmented, low brand loyalty market.
8. Start an art business ($737K/year)
Starting an art business in Alaska could be particularly rewarding due to the state's unique and striking natural beauty, which often serves as inspiration for artists. You could capture and share the essence of Alaska’s stunning landscapes, auroras, and wildlife, making your art highly appealing to tourists and locals alike.
With the growing popularity of online marketplaces like Etsy, as well as opportunities to feature your work in local galleries, craft fairs, and museums, you have multiple avenues to showcase and sell your creations. Check out our successful case studies about art businesses that have thrived, proving that this is a flourishing industry even in more remote and scenic states like Alaska.
Innerglow Art is a successful custom abstract painting business that incorporates scripture and personable connection with buyers to produce beautiful and unique artwork.
9. Start a jewelry making business ($2.98M/year)
Starting a jewelry-making business in Alaska could be an excellent opportunity due to the state’s unique cultural influences and abundant natural resources. You could incorporate local materials such as Alaskan gold, silver, and gemstones like jade and quartz, giving your pieces a distinctive, high-value appeal that resonates with both locals and tourists.
Furthermore, the jewelry market's steady growth, valued at $278B in 2018 and expected to reach $292B by 2025, presents a promising prospect for new entrepreneurs. To explore more about this idea, visit our detailed business idea page or check out successful case studies.
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
10. Start a natural beauty product business ($802K/year)
Starting a natural beauty product business in Alaska offers unique advantages, especially with the state's rich natural resources like wild-harvested herbs and botanicals. You could tap into the growing demand for eco-friendly, chemical-free skincare solutions, a market valued at $6.7 billion in 2021.
With a home-based setup, you could leverage local ingredients to create authentic, eco-conscious beauty products. To get inspiration and useful insights, be sure to explore our detailed guide on starting a natural beauty product business. Check out some successful case studies of others who have thrived in this niche.
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
11. Start a travel blog ($1.43M/year)
Given Alaska's breathtaking natural beauty and unique attractions, starting a travel blog focused on local experiences could be both fulfilling and profitable. You could share insider tips about adventures like glacier tours, dog sledding, and witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights, captivating a global audience eager to explore Alaska's wonders.
Additionally, partnering with local tour operators and businesses can provide valuable resources for your blog while creating mutual promotional opportunities. For more insights on starting a travel blog, visit Starter Story's detailed guide and explore successful case studies to get inspired by those who have already turned this idea into a thriving business.
Two friends started an online book club that now has 570 members and generates £10,500 MRR, by addressing the problem of 'Tsundoku,' charging a monthly subscription fee for one non-fiction book, one inspiring meetup, and one custom cocktail, inspiring conversation and community.
12. Start an online courses business ($1.41M/year)
Starting an online courses business in Alaska offers unique opportunities given the state's vast geography and the often remote locations of its residents. You could provide valuable educational content without the need for a physical presence, making it a flexible and scalable venture.
By focusing on a niche within mechanical engineering, you could attract individuals hungry for specialized knowledge, especially in a state with a strong focus on industries like oil, gas, and transportation. To see how others have succeeded with online courses, check out these successful case studies for inspiration and actionable insights.
Solopreneur Justin Welsh built a knowledge business through social media with over $2M in annual revenue and no full-time employees, offering flagship digital courses with a monthly revenue of $80K and $45K respectively, through LinkedIn and Twitter growth as well as organic and affiliate marketing.
13. Start a beverage company ($17.7M/year)
Starting a beverage company in Alaska presents a unique opportunity to tap into the state's growing demand for local and innovative drink options. Given the pristine natural water sources and the increasing trend towards sustainable and locally-produced goods, you could create distinct products that cater to a market eager for authentic Alaskan flavors. Additionally, the long, cold winters provide a great chance to introduce warming beverages like hot chocolate or unique brews that resonate with the local culture.
Furthermore, the tourism industry in Alaska is robust, with millions of visitors each year looking to experience local specialties. By developing and marketing beverages that highlight the state's natural resources and unique culture, you could attract both residents and tourists. For more details on this business idea, you can visit here or read various success stories from entrepreneurs who have thrived in this space.
BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
