We took advantage of the good weather recently and decided to begin the process of fleshing the hides we have from some of our meat animals that we've sold to customers.  We sell the animal as a whole and we keep the by-products which is different than the harvests/hunts where the hunter takes the meat, head and hide home. Scott does a fabulous job skinning the animals and then we believe, it is important, to utilize as much of the animal as possible.  In the Inupiat way of my grandmother, Mae Herman Blatchford, this shows respect for the animal and is practical.  We then found a tannery in Idaho that specializes in tanning bison hides.  It is Moyle Tannery out of Heyburn, Idaho. 

We take our by-product of bison hides to festivals, shows and events.  The other product we make is the mosaic bison skulls.  These are art creations that I create from the cleaned skull that my husband has prepared for me.  You can view them at www.akmosaic.com and see the variations of art pieces we have created together.  Both the hides and skulls are show stoppers, it gives us an advantage in getting people's attention.  Once they come over to talk to us, we then discuss our business with them. 

I have been approached by Alaska Magazine, Agricultural Journals and Art organizations to advertise these unique products.  Again, as a surprise, probably the most important outcome of the skulls is, not only the enjoyment of making them, but how it has been great for public relation.  I have had the mosaic skulls displayed in lodges along the highway, banks, gift shops and restaurants.  Along with our website, this gets our name "out there".

There's a lesson here, when you allow yourself to have the time (that is to fulfill your passion and become an entrepreneur) avenues open up and present themselves to you. 

E-news is important to us along with staying abreast with journals and magazines. Some of the publications via email or mail that we use regularly are as follows:

  1. Alaska Monthly Business Journal
  2. Alaska Journal of Commerce
  3. Bison World Magazine
  4. Capital Press
  5. Western Producer
  6. Made in Alaska & Webbs Consulting and Management Services, Inc.
  7. Buy Alaska, Alaska Small Businesss Development
  8. National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.
    120 Wall Street, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10005 - www.specialtyfood.com
  9. Whole Foods Market, Inc.
  10. Marketing Profs, LLC, 419 N Larchmont #42, LA, CA 90004
  11. Small Business News
  12. Global Food Collaborative