SparkStory

Congrats to our client, Frontier Waste, for the incredible launch with a substantial wait list! When Sara Jokela and I started SparkStory Marketing we didn't anticipate that one of our favorite clients would be a new Waste company, but having the opportunity to imagine and build a new brand from scratch that matches the innovation and excellence of the owner, has been a true joy!
Who says that a brand in this industry has to be boring?

Link to the new website in comments.

P.S. Shout out to Josiah Dawley for the incredible design work too.

Great opportunity! Our client, Welcome Anchorage Tours, is growing! If you know someone thats a good fit, please pass it on!

We're growing! Welcome Anchorage Tours is hiring 2 new tour guides.
Here's what makes this different from most Alaska guide jobs: you start and end every day right here in Anchorage. No remote lodges, no living out of a duffel bag. Show your guests the best day of their trip: Turnagain Arm, Glaciers, Wildlife, Hatcher Pass, and sleep in your own bed that night.
What we offer:
$23–$25/hour to start, plus generous tips
Flexible hours: part-time or full-time
No CDL required
Small groups (11 guests max) mean real conversations, not a megaphone
A family-owned team with 900+ five-star reviews
Read our reviews and you'll notice something: guests mention their guides by name. Don, Sherrye. Elizabeth, Christopher and more. That's the kind of team you'd be joining, people who love Alaska and love sharing it.
If you know Alaska, love people, and want a guiding job that fits your life, we'd love to meet you.
Apply: https://www.indeed.com/job/tour-guidedriver-welcome-anchorage-23-25-hour-tips-no-cdl-required-35f7aa045e49d94a
Learn more about us! www.welcomeanchorage.com
Know someone who'd be perfect? Tag them below! 👇

We're a little stunned, honestly.
SparkStory has been named a Top 5 nominee for Best Marketing/PR Agency in the Anchorage Daily News Best of Alaska 2026 awards.
We launched this agency believing Alaska small businesses deserve big-league strategy without big agency prices. To see our community respond like this, so soon, Sara and I are truly grateful.
Thank you to our clients who trusted us with their stories, and to everyone who nominated us. This one belongs to you as much as it does to us.

If SparkStory has helped your business grow, we'd be honored to have your vote. Voting is open through June 28th Link in comments!

Happy Friday!!! It's a fun day when we get to see one of the brands we developed, not just online, but driving around! Go Frontier Waste -30 days and counting to launch!

Jennifer and I are Alaskans. One of our favorite things about Alaska is the wildlife.

I have been treated to be host to a mama and baby moose in my yard for nap time today. 🫎🥰

We know Alaska, I was born here like that little baby. We get local. We know what others don’t know, like don’t walk past that sleeping baby cause Mama’s coming for you 😂

Working with local businesses makes our hearts sing.

What’s your favorite part of being an Alaskan??

Feature Friday!!! Jennifer and I are always so thrilled when a project goes live. Today, we launched a brand refresh for Riverrock Insurance Services.

Riverrock helps older Americans navigate the complicated world of enrolling and choosing Medicare options.
Go check it out! https://plansforhealth.com/

The countdown is on: AI ALASKA launches June 1!
Sara and I have been talking with tourism leaders, marketers, service operators, and community builders about one big shift:
AI is no longer just on the horizon.
It’s already changing how customers search, ask, plan, book, and buy.
That’s why we’re launching AI ALASKA, a new community for curious, practical, Alaska-based business owners and teams who want to learn how to use AI with more confidence, clarity, and strategy.
Starting June 1, we’ll be rolling out:
AI community conversations
Hands-on AI labs
Social hours and networking
Practical examples for Alaska businesses
Simple ways to use AI in marketing, operations, customer experience, and planning
Now we want to hear from you:
What are you most interested in learning about AI?
Drop a comment with the number that fits you best:
Using AI for marketing and content
Your business showing up in AI search tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI
Building better customer experiences
Saving time with AI workflows and automation
AI for tourism, travel, and seasonal businesses
Something else? Tell us!
We’re building this for the people who are ready to learn, experiment, and move forward together.
AI ALASKA launches June 1. Let’s get ready.

AI and tourism at the Valdez Small Business Conference 2026. It’s so important to understand how people are searching and how to show up for them. Jennifer is a expert at this subject and has the heart to help small businesses compete and WIN!

Hey Valdez! Your town is so beautiful 😊 Jennifer and I are so excited for the Valdez Small Business Conference 2026. We're looking forward to tomorrow's kickoff!