up of 49th State Brewing Co., the Denali Park Salmon Bake restaurant, Prospectors Historic Pizzeria & Alehouse, Sled Dog Groceries & Liquor and McKinley RV & Campground. The 49th State Brewing Co. opened in 2010. The brewery and restaurant feature award-winning handcrafted beers, sustainablyproduced food that often includes the beers among the ingredients and an energetic atmosphere right in the heart of Alaska. McCarthy and Jason Motyka are coowners of Denali Visions 3000. Originally from Anchorage, Motyka first arrived in the Healy area about 12 years ago. A Chicagoan and chef by trade, McCarthy never planned on living and working in Alaska. He was about to open a restaurant back in the Windy City when a vacation and a classified ad looking for summer help brought him to Denali in 2007. A year later, Denali Visions 3000 was named the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Team of the Year. “The recognition was certainly a big deal for us,” said McCarthy, 38. “We had a vision for what we wanted to do in the area and to create good will in our community. The demand was there to expand, to open
additional restaurants like 49th State. “We had a productive system in place and looked to duplicate the system for the other businesses.” ENTER FIRST NATIONAL BANK ALASKA
Managing five separate businesses during a mostly seasonal time (May-September) each year in one of the nation’s most beautiful locales brings unique challenges. A few examples include hiring and maintaining staff, upkeep and expansion of infrastructure and all financial matters. And while those don’t read differently from the job of running any other business, Denali Visions 3000 starts each year anew. “Almost from scratch,” McCarthy said. “Some of the businesses close down completely in the offseason, no water, no electricity. It’s like we reopen from the ground up each spring.” McCarthy and Motyka said a healthy, long-standing relationship with First National Bank Alaska has eased many concerns related to the financial aspects of keeping the businesses in line. Motyka
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Money can work more efficiently Make your money work faster and more efficiently as it comes into your business. Accepting credit and debit card payments is a huge convenience for your customers. Many business owners find this an easier way to reconcile their accounts each month, saving time and frustration. Other ways to put your money to work quickly and efficiently include Lockbox Service, for collection of customer payments, Wire Transfer, 24-hour deposit drop boxes, ACH Debit Origination, Contract Collections and Business Manager®.
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Learn more about these tools by visiting FNBAlaska.com or contact First National cash management specialists at 777-4685 or 1-800-856-4FNB from communities outside of Anchorage. 2014 Alaska Business Resource Guide Page 11