Success Stories

MEP Member

Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Story Title

Howling Wolf Furs Improves Business with New Web Site

Client Profile

Howling Wolf Furs, located in Clam gulch, Alaska has been working with fur for 27 years. Over the years, owner Sue Moore has honed her skills making mukluks, hats, cuspucks, clothing accessories and novelty items. Mukluks are soft boots traditionally made of skins, furs or combinations of the two. Cuspuks are a type of outer wear worn primarily by women in Arctic regions. Howling Wolf Furs specializes in custom work, using furs provided by customers and tailored to their specifications. The company employs 3 people.

Situation

Owner Sue Moore’s existing web site had no e-commerce capability. Ms. Moore’s internet service was complex, expensive and did not suit the needs of her small business. Ms. Moore became aware of the Alaska Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AMEP), a NIST MEP network affiliate, through one of AMEP’s existing state partnerships, the Alaska Manufacturing Business Industry & Technology (AMBIT) outreach program. Ms. Moore attended a Alaska Business Portal seminar and found that the outreach program included e-commerce capabilities for small businesses at low cost.

Solution

AMEP trainers worked with Ms. Moore to set up an e-commerce web site on the AMBIT Internet Portal, load her products onto an Internet shopping cart, upload media content and navigate the portal system. As a result of AMEP’s assistance, Ms. Moore is now able to conduct online sales, track those sales month-to-month and receive custom orders over the Internet at a cost that is better suited for her business.

Results

• Avoided $240 per year in web design fees.

Testimonial

“The training plus a year of free service to try out the business portal is a major benefit, and I know it will improve my business.”
Sue Moore, Owner