Alaska Native John Hillman spent years working away from his hometown of Hoonah, a remote Tlingit community in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago. When cruise ships began bringing tourists to his community in 2019, he saw his chance to return home. With support from Native CDFI Spruce Root, he and his wife launched Wilderness Island Tours, the area's only Indigenous-owned tour operator, sharing their culture and love of the local wilderness with visitors.

Difference Makers 2.0 is a new yearlong series that highlights how Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) work alongside their small business clients to accelerate change and create economic opportunities in Native communities. Join the Native CDFI Network and Tribal Business News as they shine a spotlight on the people accelerating economic change in Indian Country. Read the stories here and be sure to tune into the Difference Makers 2.0 podcast.

Meet Jamie Ann Bell (Ahtna Athabascan), who discovered baking was the perfect blend of her love for science and creativity. Starting with a homemade baby shower cake, she and business partner Linnaea Ward-Develice built Arctic Moon Bakery from scratch.

Despite a pandemic derailing their initial funding and forcing them into a high-interest loan, they persevered. Thanks to Cook Inlet Lending Center, a Native CDFI, they refinanced at 3% and now supply Alaska's largest coffee producer and local airlines with their treats. From navigating black bears to deliver mountain wedding cakes to shipping celebration cakes to remote villages, Arctic Moon Bakery is a testament to Native entrepreneurship and community support.

Difference Makers 2.0 is a new yearlong series that highlights how Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) work alongside their small business clients to accelerate change and create economic opportunities in Native communities. Join the Native CDFI Network and Tribal Business News as they shine a spotlight on the people accelerating economic change in Indian Country. Read the stories here and be sure to tune into the Difference Makers 2.0 podcast.

Winnebago chef Reggie Frazier started his culinary career whipping up dishes on a hot plate at Ho-Chunk Village Farmer’s Market — or Nį̄šoc Wahāgi Hoci in the Ho-Chunk language. He quickly turned his passion for cooking into a thriving brick-and-mortar restaurant and, now, a new food truck with loans from Ho Chunk Community Capital, a Native CDFI. Learn how R-Eatz is feeding the community and inspiring other Native entrepreneurs on the Winnebago reservation.

Plus, we asked Reggie and Ho Chunk Community Capital's Tony Wood what advice they'd give to aspiring Native entrepreneurs about starting a business.

Tony Wood's Advice:

- Native CDFIs like Ho Chunk Community Capital are available resources that many people don't know about, but can provide crucial startup capital and support.
- The most important thing is having the drive and determination to follow through on your entrepreneurial dreams, even when things get challenging.
- Talk with successful Native business owners like Reggie to share their stories and inspire others in the community.
- Highlight the importance of continuing to support and promote Native-owned businesses.

Reginald Frazier's Advice:

- If it's your passion, take the risk and go for it - no one can take that passion away from you.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help - there are programs and people like Tony who can guide you in the right direction.
- Supporting one another in the community as fellow Native entrepreneurs.

Difference Makers 2.0 is a new yearlong series that highlights how Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) work alongside their small business clients to accelerate change and create economic opportunities in Native communities. Join the Native CDFI Network and Tribal Business News as they shine a spotlight on the people accelerating economic change in Indian Country. Read the stories here and be sure to tune into the Difference Makers 2.0 podcast.