YPG "Make it Monday" Takeover - Vibing, Striving and T.H.R.I.V.E.ing: Professional Enrichment Opportunities

SBA Person of the Year, Kali Bennett, Owner, The Waterworks, and SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Graduates (see below) will speak to how they got to where they are today, what they've learned, and how they "do it all" as a small business owner.

SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. Graduates:

• Steve Busby, Founder of Greatland Adventures
• Bill Fischer, Owner, Main Event Catering
• Walter Harmon, Blitz Investments, LLC (Little Caesars)

Please come with your questions! The format of this forum will be very similar to the YPG's popular CEO Luncheons / Brews with the Boss events. SUBMIT A QUESTION

PLUS! Get a sneak peek at what's to come at the 9th Annual Alaska Young Professionals Summit! And hear from the Anchorage Community Concert Band.

ALL AGES WELCOME!
 

You might say hot water is in Kali Bennett's blood. Growing up in the ski hamlet of Girdwood, Alaska, she came of age downhill skiing while learning about hot tubs in her family?s business, The Waterworks. Leadership has always come naturally to Kali, founding a chapter of Rotary Interact and a small business of her own?cleaning hot tubs for The Waterworks clients, while still in high school.

Over the years, Kali's education has taken her around the globe, as a Rotary exchange student in Brazil, followed by two associates degrees in Santa Barbara, California and a few clothing design courses in Laramie, Wyoming, then finally back home to the University of Alaska, Anchorage. While completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis she purchased the legacy of her parents? business and became the second-generation owner of The Waterworks.

Under her leadership, The Waterworks has expanded, opening new locations between Soldotna and Eagle River, growing her team, and spearheading the path to digitally-enabled sales and service within the company. Now in its 47th year, The Waterworks thrived through the pandemic and under Kali's leadership and was able to purchase a warehouse in early 2021. In December 2023, Kali made a big move to acquire what soon will become The Waterworks flagship location hosting a Grand Opening May 10th, 2024. Kali has big plans to help even more Alaskans soak and sweat their way to wellness in the coming years.
 

Walter Harmon, Jr., is the managing partner for Blitz Investments, LLC, dba Little Caesars (Alaska). The company has had success building teams through positive culture creation.

With a passion for mentoring and youth development, Walter continuously strives to contribute to the growth of Alaska's young people. Born on Elmendorf AFB and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Walter developed an early fascination with entrepreneurship. He pursued his education at Eastern Washington University and American Intercontinental University, earning Communications and International Business degrees.

Walter embarked on his professional journey at Anchorage Telephone Utility (ATU), Alaska Communications Systems (ACS), and Cisco Systems, where he overachieved in sales and sales management roles for over three decades before retiring in October 2020 and acquiring Alaska's Little Caesars franchises with business partner Gabriel Lujan in 2019 Walter is responsible for the aggressive growth of Blitz Investments, LLC's franchise portfolio and Little Caesar's footprint within Alaska. He is dedicated to adding seven Little Caesars stores over the next four years, two of them in 2024, along with other franchise brands.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Walter enjoys bowling, golf, and cheering for his son's football team. He finds inspiration in young people and believes in the power of team athletics, having coached several sports for over twenty years. Connect with Walter on social media platforms to stay updated on his latest projects and insights.
 

UPCOMING FORUMS