Dream weaver

PALMER — Many dream of someday owning their own business, but three adults with disabilities in downtown Palmer have made their dreams a reality at Kristin’s Secret Garden. The West Arctic Avenue location in Palmer is home to three thriving businesses: Kristin’s Secret Garden, Becca’s Alpacas and Tony’s Flies.

“It was Becca’s dream to have a storefront,” said Stormie Peterson.

Peterson has been working with 22 year old Kristin Kaznakoff for five years. She originally only provided day habilitation services, but when asked to help support her business, she jumped at the opportunity. Kristin had a greenhouse alongside their building along West Arctic Avenue last year that she had purchased as part of a microenterprise grant through University of Alaska Anchorage. After the dreaded Palmer wind destroyed the greenhouse, she was looking for a new way to sell her seeds and plants.

“This is a very good environment for our clients to be able to learn to use the cash register, learn to use communication skills, learn the ins and outs of running a business, and learn the opening procedures and closing procedures,” said Peterson.

Kaznakoff sells nasturtiums, raspberries, strawberries, beets, and seeds. She is currently the only distributor of Alaska Grown nasturtium seeds in the state, and she also makes signs to go in people’s gardens.

“I love doing it,” said Kaznakoff.

Becca Allely tends to nine alpaca’s on Lazy Mountain. She doesn’t like to hogtie the alpacas for shearing, but loves the hard work that she puts in once all the wool has been collected and put into bags. The 38-year-old Allely will card, spin, and then begin threading the yarn. Allely sells yarn, hats, headbands, felt art and felt roses among other alpaca items at their store.

Tony Hepinstall also runs his business, Tony’s Flies, out of the store. Hepinstall ties flies with the help of Peterson’s husband, Lance.

“It’s a lot of work but it’s fun,” said Allely.

Peterson runs a ministry in Palmer called Celebrate Recovery, and marvels at her opportunity to serve her clients and interact with people for her ministry at the same time. Wolverine Academy next door is run by Scott and Kelly Godwin, and employs Peterson. They support her ministry and service of the trio of businesses within the storefront. Peterson was awarded the Direct Service Provider of the Year award in 2017. She credits the team of players that help her oversee the business.

“I put in countless extra hours all the time that I don’t get paid for because I care about their needs and their wants and their desires,” said Peterson.

A signed picture of Lt. Gov Byron Mallott sits on top of a shelf on the east side of the storefront. The picture was taken at the Iditarod start, and Lt. Gov Mallott is wearing a blue knitted hat. Allely took part in a key campaign and traveled to Juneau to advocate for adults with disabilities. Allely discussed her desires to see more adults with disabilities in the workplace with Mallott and gave him a knitted alpaca hat. She was overjoyed that he wore her hat at the Iditarod.

With the arrival of the summer tourism and gardening seasons weeks away, the growth that started in November 2017 will continue. Kaznakoff is in the process of building a mobile greenhouse trailer so that she can have a mobile location for her seeds and plants. Allely would one day like to purchase a mill so that she can produce more yarn and handle more wool, as well as eventually employing other adults with disabilities.

“Her biggest dream is to employ other adults with disabilities and give them the same opportunity she has had,” said Peterson.

Peterson said that many of the patrons will not limit themselves to one of the businesses in the storefront. Often, people will buy a little bit of everything. Soon to come to the storefront are glitter-roses: a bat of wool with glitter on it that Allely will make into felt roses.

“I’ve been helping them be successful and kind of encourage them, because they’re very capable. They’re such an encouragement because there are so many people out there that want to do things in life and they just kind of talk about it. Even though these guys have a disability, they are rockin’ it, dude! They are making it happen and they’re living their dreams. So it’s quite an honor to be a part of that,” said Peterson.