Business Voices

Juneau Chamber of Commerce
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

Business Voices is the Juneau Chamber of Commerce podcast focused on the people, ideas, and decisions shaping Juneau’s economy. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with local business owners, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who are working to build a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient business community. This show reflects the Chamber’s larger mission: to support entrepreneurship, encourage responsible and sustainable development, improve the business climate, and help make Juneau a better place to work, live, shop, and invest. Business Voices is a forum for insight, leadership, and shared perspective, connecting the people who care about Juneau’s economic future and the quality of life that makes this community worth building.

  1. 5h ago

    Building Juneau’s Future: Corey Baxter on the Trades, Workforce Development, and Community

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks sits down with Corey Baxter, representative for Operating Engineers Local 302, owner of Baxter Plowing, and past president of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. Corey discusses the important relationship between organized labor and the business community, the union’s apprenticeship program, and the growing need to recruit young people into skilled trades. He also shares his own 30-year career in heavy equipment, the challenges of seasonal construction work, and why supporting his neighbors during Juneau’s heavy snowstorms has become a personal commitment.

  2. Oct 24

    More Than Shoes: How Shoefly Creates Community in Downtown Juneau

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks talks with Sydney Mitchell, owner of downtown Juneau’s Shoefly, about the journey from opening a specialty shoe store in 2005 to building a business centered on customer experience, connection, and community. Sydney shares how Shoefly grew through a partnership, why service and kindness matter more than simply selling shoes, and how the store has become a welcoming gathering place for locals and visitors alike. She also discusses the importance of supporting independent downtown businesses, the challenges facing local retail, and her hopes for Juneau’s future.

  3. Oct 17

    129 Years of Movie Magic: The Gross Family’s Legacy in Southeast Alaska

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks sits down with Kenny Solomon Gross of Gross Alaska Theaters, the 2026 Chamber Business of Distinction award winner, to explore his family’s remarkable 129-year history in Alaska’s movie theater industry. Kenny shares stories of growing up in the business, bringing theaters to communities across Southeast Alaska, and creating memorable moviegoing experiences while giving generations of young people their first jobs. He also reflects on the importance of community, the lessons passed down through his family, and the bittersweet next chapter as the Gross family prepares to step away from theater operations and looks toward the future of Glacier Cinemas.

  4. Sep 12

    From Legal Practice to Financial Leadership: Lauren McVeigh’s Journey at True North

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks sits down with Lauren McVeigh, president and CEO of True North Federal Credit Union, to explore her unexpected journey from practicing family law to leading a community-focused financial institution. Lauren discusses how credit unions differ from traditional banks, the challenges of evolving technology and increasingly sophisticated fraud, and the importance of financial education and local partnerships. She also shares advice on building financial confidence, growing as a leader, and stepping outside your comfort zone to discover what you’re capable of.

  5. Sep 11

    A New Recipe for Success: Red Bird & Raven Brings Creativity to Juneau

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks welcomes Josie, owner of Red Bird & Raven, to talk about her journey from Charlotte, North Carolina, to opening a new bakery in downtown Juneau. Josie shares what drew her and her family to Southeast Alaska, the community support behind her new business, and her plans to expand beyond baked goods into hands-on baking classes and in-home dining experiences. From creative pastries and custom cakes to entrepreneurship and collaboration, Josie discusses building a business that reflects her passion while becoming part of Juneau's thriving small-business community.

  6. Aug 28

    From Printing Presses to Big Ideas: The Evolution of Alaska Litho

    On this episode of Business Voices, host Becca Parks sits down with Travis McCain, owner of Alaska Litho, to discuss his journey from paper routes in Juneau to leading a growing local printing and design business. Travis shares how technology, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace new challenges have transformed the company beyond traditional printing into signage, custom spaces, and creative solutions. He also discusses AI's role in the industry, supporting local artists, and the importance of helping others bring their ideas and dreams to life.

  7. Aug 17

    How Juneau Food Tours Turned Alaska Flavor Into a Business

    Food isn’t just something we eat. It’s one of the ways a community tells its story. On this episode of Business Voices Juneau, Juneau Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Becca Parks sits down with Midgey Moore, owner of Juneau Food Tours, to talk about building a business around food, tourism, storytelling, and the people who make Juneau’s culinary scene distinctive. Midgey shares how a childhood fascination with cooking eventually led to a Juneau food blog, a career with Travel Juneau, and ultimately the launch of Juneau Food Tours. She talks about landing Princess Cruises as a partner in her first season, adapting a food-tour model to Alaska’s cruise economy, building a team of local culinary hosts, and expanding into Jeep tours, private events, and custom food experiences. The conversation also includes the story of how Gordon Ramsay ended up filming in Juneau, why Midgey believes Alaska deserves to be recognized as a food destination, and how local chefs, restaurants, seafood, and entrepreneurs help connect visitors to the community. Midgey and Becca also explore what it takes to succeed in Juneau’s food industry, why food trucks and pop-ups can create opportunities for new entrepreneurs, and what Juneau’s evolving food scene can mean for retaining people and building a stronger local economy. Business Voices Juneau is the podcast of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, featuring the entrepreneurs, leaders, businesses, and ideas shaping Juneau’s economic future.

  8. Aug 17

    From Summer Job to Business Owner: Laura McDonald on Caribou Crossings, Tourism and Downtown Juneau

    On this episode of Business Voices Juneau, Juneau Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Becca Parks talks with Laura McDonald, owner of Caribou Crossings, about a Juneau business story that began with a teenage summer job and eventually led to ownership of one of downtown’s longtime locally focused shops. Laura shares how she started at Caribou Crossings at 16, grew into increasingly larger roles, earned her MBA with support from the business, and ultimately purchased the company from founder and mentor Tanya, on January 1, 2020. Just months later, the cruise industry shut down and the new owner found herself facing an extraordinary test. The conversation explores how Juneau businesses survived the pandemic, the importance of advocacy through the Juneau Chamber of Commerce and Alaska Chamber, and why small-business owners need a voice when government decisions affect their operations. Laura also talks about Caribou Crossings’ commitment to Alaska-made products, its relationships with nearly 80 Alaska artists, the changing expectations of cruise passengers, and why she proudly considers herself both a local Juneau business owner and part of the cruise tourism industry. It’s a conversation about mentorship, resilience, tourism, workforce challenges, supporting Alaska artists, and why Laura believes locals should rediscover downtown Juneau, not avoid it.

See All (18)

About

Business Voices is the Juneau Chamber of Commerce podcast focused on the people, ideas, and decisions shaping Juneau’s economy. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with local business owners, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who are working to build a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient business community. This show reflects the Chamber’s larger mission: to support entrepreneurship, encourage responsible and sustainable development, improve the business climate, and help make Juneau a better place to work, live, shop, and invest. Business Voices is a forum for insight, leadership, and shared perspective, connecting the people who care about Juneau’s economic future and the quality of life that makes this community worth building.

Information

  • Creator
    Juneau Chamber of Commerce
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Juneau Chamber of Commerce
  • Show Website
    Business Voices