SBA Honors Seward BBQ as Small Business of the Year

“I never took any money for it. I just went out there to have fun and keep it as a hobby, not a business,” he recalls. Higgins was eventually tapped by Miller Lite representatives to travel the state and cook for sponsored events and competitions.

It didn’t take long after arriving in one of Alaska’s prime tourist destinations to realize that Seward had no barbecue joint. Higgins, who had never owned a restaurant, soon purchased a site consisting of two trailers and six picnic tables. Since then, the space has grown to include two timber frame structures and a separate “cook shack,” among other improvements.

“Seward is a very unique place, unlike anything I’ve seen in the Lower 48,” Higgins says. “If you’re willing to work and provide a service or goods that are above average to superior, you’re going to succeed here.”

Higgins credits Firebrand BBQ’s success not to the throng of tourists who descend on the town of 3,000 residents on Resurrection Bay, but the locals.

“It’s the locals who turned us into what we are,” he says. “I don’t know officially, but I would say we’re one of the highest recommended places in town—from people working in Airbnbs, to hotel staff, to kids working on the boats. People ask them where to go to eat, and they point them in our direction.”

Because of these referrals, Higgins keeps his prices as low as possible. “I try to keep my prices where the deckhands or the front desk people can still afford to come over to eat. Because they’re the ones who elicit the other folks,” he says.

“It took hard work, being consistent, and showing the people they could trust us—that we weren’t going anywhere,” Higgins adds.

The couple will travel to Washington, DC, on May 3 with SBA honorees from every US state and territory for an awards ceremony. They are also in the running for additional national awards given during the event.

Not one accustomed to the limelight, Higgins admits, “Honestly, I’d just rather sit in the crowd and hang out.”

As soon as they return to Seward, the Higgenses will fire up the grill for the start of the visitor season on May 15.

Honored Cohort

Just days before National Small Business Week, the SBA announced more honorees from Alaska in different categories.

Last year’s Small Business Person of the Year for Alaska, Christine Hopkins, is recognized again with an award for her government logistics provider, ASCI Federal Services, as Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. “This recognition reflects the resilience of our team and the way they showed up during a critical period of transition for our business. I am incredibly proud of the work they do every day to support our customers and our community here in Alaska,” Hopkins says.

Anchorage-based remote sensor maker beadedstream is honored as Manufacturer of the Year for Alaska and for the Pacific Northwest region. “Building a new manufacturing line here in the Last Frontier takes an adventurous team, great customers, and a supportive community,” says beadedstream owner Brian Shumaker. “We are honored that the Alaskan and Pacific Northwest SBA teams named us Manufacturer of the Year.”

Campfire Kitchen in Sitka is the SBA Alaska Rural Small Business of the Year. “We are in the start of cruise season in Sitka, and like many rural businesses, we’re right in the thick of it,” say Campfire Kitchen owners Cambria Holmes and Lucas Bruckert.  “Campfire Kitchen has always been about creating a space for people to gather and connect, and it means a lot to be building that here in Sitka.”

The SBA Alaska Blue-Collar Small Business of the year is Alaska Athletics, a youth gym specializing in tumbling and cheerleading training. Owners Leon and Tehmi Reynolds say, “Alaska Athletics was designed to give kids and families a play to grow, stay active, and be a part of something positive. This recognition reflects the dedication of our athletes, the support of families around the state, and the strength of the community we’re proud to serve.”

The SBA Alaska Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year is Anna London’s Cyber Nomad cybersecurity services in Palmer.

SBA also honored three financial institutions that facilitated federal loans. Alaska Growth Capital was named SBA Alaska Lender of the Year, assisting the approval of twenty-two 7(a) loans worth more than $25 million. KeyBank was the Alaska 504 Third-Party Lender of the Year, supporting three loans totaling more than $2.5 million. And the nonprofit Spruce Root is SBA Alaska Microlender of the Year in its first year in the program, extending $180,000 in microloans to four borrowers.

“We are proud to recognize our outstanding lending partners, whose dedication and expertise in delivering SBA-backed financing help small businesses to access the capital they need to start, grow, and thrive in our state,” says SBA Alaska Acting Director Erica Rivera.