It’s time to experience the livelihood you’ve always dreamed of. Sierra Commons is here to help.

Do you dream of seeing your food products on shelves at local stores or growing your brand regionally? Then the all-new Sierra Commons Food Entrepreneur Accelerator is for you. Take a deep dive with a cohort of like-minded founders and learn the fundamentals of starting and scaling your artisan food business.

What’s Included?

Built on the successful formula of the Business Ignitor Course, the Food Entrepreneur Accelerator focuses specifically on starting or growing food businesses.

The curriculum covers core topics and provides one-to-one advising, industry contacts, accountability meetups, and peer mentoring.

9 class sessions
Expert instructors
Roundtable discussion with established local food entrepreneurs
Present to a panel of funding and food professionals
Graduation celebration and food showcase

Registration opens

KEY DATES

Soon!

First day of class

July 9

Graduation party

Aug 8

Online Info Session

Recorded 12/11/2023

Meet the Team

Chelsea Bialla

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, BOBABAM
Having spent her career creating, building and investing in the emerging CPG (consumer packaged goods) space, Chelsea brings a unique perspective that connects brand to business strategy. Her expertise in early-stage food and beverage companies is rooted in her hands-on experience as an operator: KRAVE Jerky, SmashMallow, Peckish, and BOBABAM. Chelsea is a creative at heart with an obsession for food, packaging and consumer behavior. She's passionate about helping entrepreneurs translate their vision into something tangible that resonates with consumers the way they intend.
Website LinkedIn
Dana Frasz

FOUNDER OF FOOD SHIFT.NET
As Founder and Executive Director, I built Food Shift from the ground up - leveraging limited resources, hustling to gain exposure, taking on early projects, building a team, and proving ourselves as a key player in the food-to-people industry. I set the strategy for the organization and oversaw all program operations, marketing, fundraising, partnerships, and development. Under my leadership Food Shift helped spark and influence the national food waste movement, launched a successful social enterprise, and now plays a critical role in the Bay Area food recovery and distribution ecosystem.
Website LinkedIn
Arno Hesse

CO-FOUNDER, INVESTIBULE
My professional and personal passion is about empowering people and communities with solutions for placing their money into the future they want to live in.
It's about combining shifts in culture with technology innovations. With initiatives like Credibles, Investibule, and Slow Money, I've been applying new approaches to such emerging market needs.
Website LinkedIn
Amy Irani

DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, NEVADA COUNTY
Oversees permits, licensing, and certifications for food facilities, platform kitchen operations (PKOs), temporary food facilities (TFFs), mobile food facilities, cottage food , agricultural-related food activities, caterers, community events, food safety, and B&B / ag homestay
Website LinkedIn
Chris Maher

GENERAL MANAGER, BRIARPATCH FOOD CO-OP
Chris Maher is general manager of BriarPatch, a consumer-owned retail food co-op in California and Nevada County’s first commercial building certified by the US Green Building Council’s LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. In addition, he is the former vice president of National Co+op Grocers, which is a business service co-operative for 148 food co-ops with combined annual sales of nearly $2.1 billion.
Website LinkedIn
Michelle Peregoy-McHugh

MERCHANDISING MANAGER, BRIARPATCH FOOD CO-OP
Michelle has been working in the natural foods industry for over 20 years. Her range of experience is wide, from managing operations to working with vendors and distributors, planning promotions, and vetting products and brands. She enjoys camping with husband and dog and cooking and gardening.
Website
Ean Price Murphy

BUSINESS GROWTH SPECIALIST
After living in Brooklyn, NY for 30 years, Ean Price Murphy returned home to Grass Valley where she attended high school. Ean brings decades of experience with small business and non-profit finances. She has served on several non-profit boards and is honored to be the Treasurer of Sierra Commons.
LinkedIn
Mani Niall

FOUNDER, MANI'S TEST KITCHEN
Chef, Baker, Curious culinary tinkerer, Omnivore, Cookbook author, Honey ambassador, Focus on vegan gluten-free innovation space.
Website LinkedIn
Robert X Trent

FOUNDER SIERRA COMMONS
As the founder and Executive Director of Sierra Commons, Robert has taught hundreds of entrepreneurs - helping them plan, launch, grow, and sell their businesses. With a broad understanding of what it takes for companies to survive and thrive, Robert brings his facilitation skills to this course to inspire students to take their businesses to the next level.
robert@sierracommons.org (530) 265 -8443 LinkedIn Website
Tim Yamauchi

PRINCIPAL AT INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN
Tim has 30+ years of experience in Strategy Development, Business Innovation Initiatives and Capital sourcing. He has taken a leading role in several successful high growth start-ups and early stage companies. Tim also has been involved in a number of notable Social Enterprises include PRIDE Industries, one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in the USA and the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, a leader in diversity economic development for CA. Tim is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and holds an MBA from Harvard University.
LinkedIn
Kristine ZuaZua

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALLIANCE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INC.
With a mission to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, Kristine and AFWD orchestrates a range of programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information? Look here for answers to some of our commonly asked questions.

Yes. however, there are specific topics that address the needs of food product businesses. We hope that caterers and restaurants consider exploring adding retail products to their offerings. And if there are particular topics you’d like covered, please let us know. We adjust content once registration is closed to best meet the needs of our students.
Nope. When students from different stages in their businesses get in a room together, we all learn a little better.
APPLICATION EXTENEDE TO JAN 12.
Part of providing a great place to learn and work is attracting diverse talents and ideas. We are happy to provide a limited number of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Scholarships to ensure our classes include people from our community of different races, ethnicities, abilities, genders and sexual orientations. Email us at info@sierracommons.org for more information. Please use “DEI Scholarship” as the subject of the email.
APPLICATION EXTENEDE TO JAN 12.
Empowering Diversity in Food Entrepreneurship: Apply for Our DEI Scholarships!
Are you passionate about food entrepreneurship and eager to contribute your unique offerings to the local food ecosystem? Sierra Commons believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key ingredients to fostering innovation and driving positive change in the food industry and in our community.
Embark on a transformative journey with our Food Entrepreneurship Accelerator Course, where creativity and flavor meet business acumen. To ensure a rich tapestry of voices and experiences, we are thrilled to announce our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarships, inviting aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life to join us.
Why Apply for Our DEI Scholarships?
Inclusive Learning Environment: Experience a supportive and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity, enabling you to thrive and contribute authentically.
Mentorship from Industry Leaders: Connect with seasoned mentors and industry leaders committed to guiding you on your entrepreneurial path, providing invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
Financial Support: Break down barriers by accessing our DEI Scholarships, designed to make this transformative course financially accessible to a diverse range of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Networking Opportunities: Build lasting connections with a diverse cohort of fellow entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration and community-building.
Skill Enhancement: Acquire practical skills and knowledge essential for launching and scaling your food-related business, from concept development to marketing strategies.
Three scholarships will be awarded and announced by Jan 12th.
How to Apply:
Send an email to info@sierracommons.org with “DEI scholarship” in the subject line by January 12, 2024. Share about your business idea, and your unique story - highlighting how your background and life experiences contribute to the rich tapestry of products, perspectives, and offerings we aim to nurture in our accelerator program. If possible; send at least one reference from teachers, mentors, or professionals who can speak to your suitability for the scholarship; and any supporting documents that represent your need. The Sierra Commons’ board will be reviewing applications.
Important: Students awarded the scholarship should be prepared to pay $250 of the standard tuition of $659.
Don't miss this opportunity to turn your culinary dreams into reality. Apply now and be part of a community that believes in the power of diversity to shape the future of food entrepreneurship in our abundant and creative region.
Not at this time, but if you miss a class we will record the sessions and you can listen at a later date.
We are using Eventbrite for registration. The platform allows for PayPal payments where you can set up four interest-free payments.
We can only refund a cancellation if the course remains full. If you know of someone who would like to purchase your seat in the class, great! We can refund you within two weeks of cancellation
Of course. But we no longer accept chicken or duck eggs.