Spark Soldotna took place on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lone Moose Lodge in Soldotna. This was the fifth annual Spark Soldotna event since 2019.

The purpose of the event is for Soldotna and Kenai small business owners to present their business ideas to “Spark Sharks,” or judges, selected by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce. This year’s judges were Melodie Allen, Kelli Brewer, Sara Erickson and Erick Watkins.

“Our winner receives $4,000 as an education grant to help make their business vision a reality,” Sara Hondel, tourism and education manager for the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, said during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday.

The finalists for this year were Big Dawgs Hot Dog Stand, Madly Krafty, and Soldotna Sit and Stay.

This year the check was awarded to Madly Krafty, located in Kenai. Keddie Johnson and Melissa Kompkoff are the owners of Madly Krafty and said that they are going to use the money for a number of different things. According to a Facebook post from the business, they intend to use the funds to purchase a lighted sign for outside their shop, equipment from a local source and advertising. The company does not currently purchase from local vendors but described itself as “a local resource for vendors looking to have their art for sale printed on items.”

Johnson and Kompkoff, along with their 13-year-old son Emmett, were all very surprised and very excited that Madly Krafty was selected as the winner.

“The only thing that I think I can compare my excitement of winning would be to the excitement of winning Miss America,” Kompkoff said.

Jonas Oyoumick is interning with the Peninsula Clarion through the Kenaitze Indian Tribe Daggeyi internship program. This story has been corrected regarding the ways Madly Crafty plans to use their funds.