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E*Spark – Exciting New Course Available @ Sierra Commons

Posted by robert | Friday, 16 Dec 2011 | No Comments »

Spark the Entrepreneur in You

E*Spark

Are you ready to strike out on your own, but haven’t quite figured out what you want to do?  Have you considered the Business Ignitor class but aren’t quite sure what your business is? Are you ready to have your inner entrepreneur sparked?  Right-Click, in partnership with Sierra Commons, is offering a course in just that: a viable business that aligns with who you are.  In ten sessions over four weeks, you will identify your talents, develop your understanding of entrepreneurship, embark in creative brainstorming, do market research, and develop and present three preliminary business concepts.  This course will make you “shovel ready” for the Sierra Commons Business Ignitor.

Course Description

Where does entrepreneurial inspiration come from?  We typically picture entrepreneurs as part genius and part workaholic; the superhuman among us.  Successful entrepreneurs, contrary to conventional belief, are not wild risk takers.  They are methodical thinkers who use an understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses to communicate and lead us towards a common vision of valuable products or services.

This course will show us that creativity is in all of us, and that we can develop and present viable business ideas that meet our personal criteria using a combination of creativity strategies, problem solving tools, and structured practice.  In this 4-week, 10-session class, we will quickly develop a close working group as we identify our core strengths and professional goals.  We will then use brainstorming activities and a bit of field work to develop three short business proposals: practice runs for the final pitch session. The final pitch session will be made to the class and to the Sierra Commons business team. (more…)

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Wicked Good Copy & Communications – Growing Nationally, Working Locally

Posted by robert | | No Comments »

Wicked Good Copy & Communications – Growing Nationally, Working Locally

Nevada City, CA – One year ago Wicked Good Copy & Communications launched from Nevada City’s business incubator, Sierra Commons. The firm focuses on copywriting, delivering proven results for a wide variety of clients, national and local, and they have rapidly added several prominent accounts. Now, building on the momentum of their success, they are ready to add even more and further grow the business.

Wicked Good’s national roster includes Discovery Communications, Gaiam, Mountain Hardwear, KEEN footwear and mortgage software giant, Ellie Mae. Local clients include, BriarPatch, Boga Paddleboards (Sierra Commons Graduate), Flour Garden Bakery, J.J. Jackson’s, Think Local First and the Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

This mix of local and national keeps creativity and variety flowing, helping Wicked Good to enjoy what they do that much more. (more…)

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Learn WordPress with Cat at Sierra Commons

Posted by robert | Wednesday, 14 Dec 2011 | 1 Comment »

Registration is open!

Where? Sierra Commons in Nevada City, CA.
When? Fridays: February 3, 10, 17 and 24th from 9:30am-12:00pm
Cost? $180
Prerequisites: You must first register and then complete payment via PayPal. Class size is limited, so register now to reserve your place.

About the class: This WordPress class series will give you all the tools and knowledge you need to launch your WordPress website (publicly or privately) and set it up for optimized success in marketing your product or service on the web. Each registered attendee will receive a rich, link-filled PDF the day after each class which outlines what we covered.

Registered attendees will also receive email support during the class and for 2 weeks after the class is complete. There will be plenty of time built into each 2.5-hour class to answer individual questions as we go along. (more…)

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Entrepreneur Fair With a Micro-Lending Party

Posted by robert | Monday, 12 Dec 2011 | No Comments »

WHEN - December 16th, 2011              6:30-9:00 pm
WHERE - Sierra  Mountain  Coffee  Roasters    671 Maltman Dr # 3  Grass Valley, CA 95945
WHO - Everyone – anyone can make a difference
WHY - To Help Raise Financing for Local, Small, Start-ups, Business Expansions, Inventors, – Other

 What is it?

There are two components to this event :

First – the “entrepreneurs” set up a table with their business plan and whatever else may be necessary to create an interest and show their inventions, ideas, new businesses, products, services, etc.

The second component – the public is invited to take part and become a “financial supporter”.  The idea is everyone is a potential investor, lender, partner, sponsor, donor, etc.   (more…)

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14 New Businesses Launching – Ignitor @ Work

Posted by robert | Wednesday, 7 Dec 2011 | No Comments »
Ignitor 2.0 Businesses Currently Launching @ Sierra Commons

CeeBeez Elixirs
Owner: Britt Bartlett
Private club

Heart of Nepal Ayurveda
Owner: Bonita Carol
Ayurvedic retreat center

Outer Barcoo
Owner: Diana Cobbe
Personal empowerment

Blank Slate
Owner: Ramsey Demeter
Apparel Collective

Right-Click Consulting
Owner: Mike Freedman
www.right-click.biz
Operations a la Carte

Evolution Studios
Owner: Kim Goode
Nevada City Pilates studio

Mediation Works
Owner: Deborah Gilcrest
Dispute resolution

Garden Exchange
Owner: Lizzie Hart
Farm and garden consignment marketplace

Horse training
Owner: Jodi LaChance

Nourish Nutritional Therapy
Owner: Victoria LaFont
www.nourishsystem.com
Certified nutritional therapist

Polly’s Paladar
Owner: Megan McCollam
www.pollyspaladar.com
A Supper Club

Of the Earth
Owner: Shari Phillips
Nutritional Consulting, Organic Catering/Event Planning

PAS-Time
Owner: Ronda Trujillo
Tools for HR

qatab
Owner: Matt Vanderpol
qatab.com
Website quality assurance web app

 Sierra Commons is Nevada County’s business ignitor. With a focus on creating jobs, incubating new businesses, and launching entrpreneurs, Sierra Commons provides education, mentoring, networking and a professional shared office in downtown Nevada City’s Stonehouse building.In just two years, the Sierra Commons business community helped hundreds of entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.  The Business Ignitor Course, our flagship educational program, is directly responsible for transforming 28 aspiring entrepreneurs into inspired business owners.  This six-week course brings together top professionals in our area to mentor, instruct and motivate students.  This fall’s course is under way, and its impressive roster of new businesses will directly and positively impact our local economy.  The next Business Ignitor Course is scheduled to start February 22nd, 2012, and we are currently accepting applications.E*Spark, our newest educational offering, will ignite students’ inner entrepreneur. It is geared towards individuals who are ready to strike out on their own, but haven’t quite figured out what business to start. In partnership with Right-Click, E*Spark helps students identify a viable business that aligns with their passions.

The four-week E*Spark course starts January 10th, 2012.With its hive-like, buzzing energy, our community office space provides low-cost, quick-start opportunities for new business to hit the ground running.  For as little as $150 per month, members have access to 20Mbps Internet, professional conference room, a downtown address, and a bevy of other benefits.  Memberships are available for individuals looking for a supportive, dynamic work environment that accelerates business activity and inspires productivity.

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Holiday Party and Silent Auction

Posted by robert | Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011 | No Comments »

Our holiday party this year will be on Tuesday, December 6th, at 7 0’clock in the evening. It’s going to be a lot of fun!

Along with live music and wine, we will also have a silent auction. Many of our members, instructors, and friends have generously donated over $1500 worth of their services and/or products. If you would like to contribute to our auction, please contact Robert at 265-8443.

Some examples of the services we will be offering at the silent auction are:

 

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TEDxGrassValley this December

Posted by robert | Tuesday, 22 Nov 2011 | No Comments »

Nevada City, CA – TEDxGrassValley, an independently produced event,operated under license from TED, will webcast the programming and talks from TEDxWomen on Thursday, December 1, 2011.

TEDxGrassValley
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Doors 4:30pm, Event 5-9:30pm
Unity in the Gold Country
180 Cambridge Court, Grass Valley, CA 95959

TEDxWomen is a one-day bi-coastal event taking place on December 1, 2011 at the Paley Center in New York and Los Angeles that focuses on women, and women’s issues. TEDxWomen type events are TEDx events hosted around the live webcast of TEDxWomen, and also feature local speakers. (more…)

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Two Part Seminar: Grow Your Business with Email Marketing and Social Media Marketing

Posted by robert | Tuesday, 15 Nov 2011 | 1 Comment »

Hosted by: Nevada City and Grass Valley Chambers of Commerce and Constant Contact

When: Tuesday, November 29th
Time: Part I  2:00 – 3:15 (15 minute complimentary snack break) Part II  3:30 – 5:30
Where: Sierra Commons (Stonehouse building), 107 Sacramento Street Suite 300, Nevada City, CA 95959
Cost: Complimentary to Nevada City and Grass Valley Chamber members, all others $15 (check or cash at the door)
Registration Required: http://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=0eek46g9etvwhm7hd5hrnv71zbz5vguu7tbez3n5uk941sxdxk5u
Parking: Complimentary parking at the Stonehouse lot or in the public lot across the bridge

(more…)

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An “Entrepreneur Fair with a Micro-Lending Party”

Posted by robert | Monday, 14 Nov 2011 | No Comments »

What is it?  In theory, it is an event where 20-40 inventors, new businesses, ideas, products, services, etc. set up a table in a large hall for a one day kick-off event.  Then the public is invited to see their presentations.  The public could then lend, invest, partner-up, buyout, donate, etc. depending on what their interest was.  It could be as little as $25 or as much as they wanted.

“At the core of capitalism is the so-called entrepreneurial spirit: Anyone who’s willing and able to cultivate an idea into a business has a chance to succeed. Under capitalism and the free market, everyone’s offered the same opportunity for success. That said, this shot at the big time is a largely theoretical one. Some entrepreneurs simply don’t meet the criteria that lending institutions rely on to avoid risk. Most bankers are, after all, capitalists as well, and the best way for a lender to ensure a profit is to lend to those likeliest to repay the loan. It’s a caveat (some would say, flaw) to the capitalist system: the door to wealth or self-sufficiency is open only to those who meet certain standards. (more…)

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The Basics of Business Accounting @ Thursday’s Lunch & Learn

Posted by robert | Tuesday, 1 Nov 2011 | No Comments »

Accounting in general, and how to read and use financial statements, is usually the difference between business failure and success, yet it is a source of confusion, frustration, and embarrassment for most entrepreneurs.

Come to Sierra Commons this Thursday 11/3 from 12-2pm for this SPECIAL Lunch & Learn Session.

Bring your lunch and learn from expert CPA Judy Nichols.

Judy Nichols is a CPA with many years of experience in her own public accounting practices, as well as teaching at the college level. She has provided consulting and accounting services to hundreds of small business clients and well understands the importance of their financial statement education to their business success. Unable to find an adequate and efficient source of this education for her clients, she developed an effective and easy to learn method to teach entrepreneurs the general concepts of:

  • accounting
  • the accounts and what they represent
  • how they get to the financial statements
  • and the relationships between the financial statements.

This is an introductory level workshop and is a necessary foundation for more advanced learning.

$5-10 sliding scale donation requested

 

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