From Beyond the Line of Fire: Living through largest single fire in California History
As we contemplated go-bag contents and watched the relentless advance of the Beckwourth, River, Tamarack, and especially the Dixie fire over the last few weeks, one of our dearest Small Business Development Center counselors, Clint Koble was smack in the middle of the devastation. Clint lives at and manages a resort in Chester along Lake Almanor. Over the course of several days, Clint holed up at the resort, guarded by the command of fire fighters he so graciously hosted. The firefighters instructed him to park his car on the boat ramp and to take refuge in the car should the flames approach – they would protect him.
Guest Blog: Sierra SBDC Sierra SBDC’s In-Home Childcare Training Program Announced
The ripple effect of COVID-19 is still being felt in the Sierra and beyond. As the following guest blog (written by SBDC Business Advisor, Danielle Marshall) highlights, one area in particular where we’re still reeling from the pandemic is its disproportionate impact on women (especially women of color). We’re excited to announce an upcoming course taught by Danielle later this year that will hopefully help lessen the obstacles women face in reentering the workforce by helping entrepreneurs start in-home childcare businesses.
Photo of working mom by Charles Deluvio via Unsplash
Think Global, Shop (and Invest) Local
As we gear up for the holidays, we’ve been hearing a familiar refrain: Shop Local. The value of supporting local businesses is well established: money spent locally supports a friend or neighbor’s job, charities and youth activities, and thriving downtown districts. The same is true for supporting local non-profits; your investment will be returned directly to the community. But this year, shopping local — let’s call it spending local — means even more.
Impact, Stories, Resources: COVID-19 in the Sierra
COVID-19 may well be the biggest challenge of our time, putting politics, personal priorities, and party lines on the backburner as the world scrambles to keep up on news, contain the virus, and address the largest pandemic in modern times.
Martis Fund Down Payment Assistance Program Helps Local Families Achieve Homeownership Dreams
In October of 2018, Sierra Business Council was awarded the role of program administrator for the Martis Fund’s Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP). This program provides down payment assistance for median income Tahoe/Truckee locals hoping to purchase a home in the region.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities Abound at This Week’s Business Expo
Two years ago, I took the beautiful drive to South Lake Tahoe, CA to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s Business Expo at Harveys Lake Tahoe. I had heard about the party at the South Shore business event of the year and had to see it for myself.
Speaking for the Trees, Small Businesses, and Modern Community Planning
“I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees”. I read Dr Suess’s The Lorax to my kids so many times that I can pretty much recite it word for word. It seems practically prophetic that my profession led me to work for a triple bottom line organization where I speak for not just the trees, but the people, the community and economic prosperity by advocating for small businesses.
Could the Answer to Our Housing Problem Lie in the Triple Bottom Line? Part One
One might think that in the wake of Propositions 1 and 2 passing in November, with a combined funding power of $6 billion for housing programs, we’d be able to breathe a sigh of relief. As substantial as the funding might be, though, there remains a clear and present need to act quickly on the housing supply throughout California.
Holiday Shopping: Let’s Keep it Local and Keep it Friendly
We all move through the world as a customer of some kind. From ordering a coffee at the corner store to spending two hours on the phone with your internet provider (talk about fun!) every one of us are customers, clients, consumers of products.