April Events and More from the BRC

April News and Updates from


the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center

Welcome to your April news from the Eastern Sierra BRC!


With spring upon us, businesses in the Eastern Sierra are hard at work planting seeds for an abundant 2026, and the BRC is honored to play a role in helping connect you with the information and resources you need to thrive.


See the information below about upcoming events and other updates, and we hope to see you at the BRC soon!


Thank you,


Meryl Picard


Director


Eastern Sierra BRC

Upcoming Events at the BRC

Small Business Mastermind Meeting Monthly at the BRC


Have you been curious about business masterminds, their value, and whether joining a mastermind would be a good move for your business?


At its core, a mastermind group is:


• Peer-to-peer support (not a class or lecture)


• A safe space to share challenges and ideas


• A group that offers feedback, perspective, and encouragement


• A built-in system for accountability


By hosting a mastermind at the BRC, we are also giving business owners the opportunity to connect and network, face-to-face, with other businesses in the area, who may be facing the same regional challenges.


The BRC is hosting an invite-only mastermind monthly, on the third Wednesday of the month at 4 pm. If you would like to join, or would like to find out if a mastermind is the right place for you to get the support and connection you need, please email BRC director, Meryl Picard.

BRC News & Updates

BRC Now Offering Business Microloans up to $5,000


This past month, we announced a new partnership with TMC Community Capital that allows the BRC to directly issue business microloans up to $5,000 (or walk you through a warm hand-off to the TMC team, if you need business funding up to $50,000.)


Their Milestone loan program was created to equalize access to business funding for small businesses that have historically been locked out of more traditional loan programs, so this partnership speaks to our mission of equity and inclusion, and we are proud to offer it to you.


To learn more, read the blog post here, or reach out to mpicard@sierrabusiness.org

Request for Proposals: BRC Seeking Marketing and Digital Media Support Contractor


The Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (ESCOG) and the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center (BRC) have issued an RFP seeking a contractor to provide marketing, website, social media, videography, and content marketing support and training to local small businesses participating in our programs.


The contractor will help businesses strengthen their online presence, create marketing assets, and craft training sessions and workshops designed to improve their ability to promote their products and services online.


To read the scope of work and proposal details, view the RFP here.

Share Your Expertise: Apply to Lead an Empower Hour


Our mission at the BRC is to create an environment of mutual support and encouragement that lifts all businesses up in the Eastern Sierra by providing an opportunity to share and grow skills with other business owners.


If you have a skill that you feel is a valuable addition to any small business owner’s arsenal– like HR/hiring, QuickBooks, Google Workspace/Excel, Square, time management, or word of mouth marketing– we’d love to invite you to join the experts who’ve led workshops in our Empower Hour series.


Past Empower Hours have covered everything from Canva to acquiring a business to mindfulness and stress management for entrepreneurs, and we’re always on the lookout for other topics the community would find helpful.


Hosting a session, generally held on Thursdays from 12-1:30 pm, is also a great way to network and connect with business owners who might need more hands-on help in your area of expertise. It’s also a turnkey way to host a workshop and grow your presentation skills, if that’s been on your radar– We provide the space, help with getting the word out to our involved community, and even lunch, and you provide the expertise.


If you’d like to propose and lead a session, reach out to Meryl Picard – Or, if you have a skill you’d like to learn and would like us to consider hosting a session on, please send Meryl those thoughts, as well!

Webinar Wednesdays: Ten Ideas for Growth Small Business Owners Are Missing Out On in 2026

Ready to grow your small business in 2026? In this free webinar replay, presented by our partners at the Bakersfield SBDC, Director Kelly Bearden breaks down 10 powerful opportunities you can act on right now.

From strategic financial management (way beyond just keeping the books) to leveraging technology and automation, mastering pricing power, and building strategic partnerships — this webinar is packed with practical insights to help your business thrive.

 

Ten Ideas for Growth Small Business Owners are Missing Out On in 2026

Stay Engaged with the BRC

Don’t forget to give the BRC a follow on our Facebook, Instagram, and our new LinkedIn page!


Also, a reminder that the BRC is available for one-on-one business guidance by appointment, and our space is available to rent for your next workshop, training, or company event. Please drop us a message to inquire about the space by reaching out to mpicard@sierrabusiness.org.

About the BRC: 

The Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center (BRC) is a one-stop location offering business development services and technical assistance, convening services, small business innovation and incubation services, and community development programming to communities, entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits in the Eastern Sierra.

Learn more: easternsierrabrc.org

Prepared by Sierra Business Council,


on behalf our partners behind the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center: Inyo County and the Bakersfield SBDC

Please note you are receiving this email because you signed up for updates on the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center.

Copyright © 2026 Sierra Business Council, All rights reserved.

 

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