July Events and More from the BRC

July News and Updates from


the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center

Dear Jason,


Welcome to your July news from the Eastern Sierra BRC


Below, you’ll find details about all our upcoming events and programs.


We’d love to see you soon at the BRC!


Thank you,


Meryl Picard


Director


Eastern Sierra BRC

Upcoming Events at the BRC

Empower Hour July 16: Leadership & Communication Styles


How do your leadership and communication styles influence the way you work with others?


Join Maitri Leadership facilitator Jered Cherry for an interactive session exploring the strengths, challenges, and opportunities that come with different leadership and communication styles. Through guided discussion and peer learning, participants will gain practical insights to strengthen their leadership and collaboration.


July 16 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.


Lunch will be provided. RSVP to reserve your spot.


A Mono County session is also in the works—stay tuned for details.

Digital Presence for your Small Business, 3 Sessions, July - September


Looking to build a stronger digital presence for your business? There are still three sessions left in our series of hands-on workshops.


Join local brand strategist Krystina Maixner of Chalk Fox Studios for this free workshop series designed to help Eastern Sierra small businesses strengthen their online presence.


Each session is shaped by participant interests, so when you RSVP, you'll have the opportunity to share the topics and challenges you'd most like to explore.


Upcoming Sessions:


July 28


August 25


September 29


Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.


RSVP to your preferred session here, and share more about what you would like help with so the sessions can be customized to participant needs.


A limited number of openings for free, one-on-one coaching and consultations with Krystina will also be available for businesses seeking individualized support. Come to an open session to connect with Krystina (or reply to this email) and find out if a one-on-one session might be helpful for your needs.

Matriarch Mixer at Blue Heron Farm: August 12, 5:30 pm


Join us at Blue Heron Farm to celebrate life at the height of the season, while learning to navigate the messy middle.


August 12 | 5:30 pm


Blue Heron Farm 475 Sierra Grande St, Bishop, CA


Our popular Matriarch Mixer series continues with a conversation about leadership, decision-making, and staying grounded.


Network with other Eastern Sierra women leaders and enjoy peaches on the farm– Dinner will be served. Please RSVP here.

Youth Pitch Camp DATE CHANGE - Now October 24-25


Collaborate, Connect, and Learn at our first-ever Youth Pitch Camp.


Following the “Side Hustle” curriculum created by the ACORN project, our region's youngest entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to gain valuable experience brainstorming business ideas, building a business plan, and pitching their ideas in a live showcase– all with the support of expert mentors.


October 24-25 | 9:30 - 4:30 pm with a pitch showcase (open to the public) October 25 at 5:30pm


No prior experience needed, and no need to come to the showcase with a real-life business idea. This program will teach you to identify business opportunities, plan the logistics of turning those ideas into action, and develop the in-person presentation skills needed to make a compelling pitch to investors.


Learn more and apply here.

Small Business Mastermind Meeting Monthly at the BRC


The BRC's monthly Business Mastermind brings together business owners to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and provide one another with feedback and accountability in a confidential peer-to-peer setting. The group is intended for entrepreneurs looking for ongoing support from others navigating similar business opportunities and decisions.


The mastermind meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. Participation is by invitation. If you are interested in joining or would like to learn whether the group is a good fit for you, reply to this email to connect with BRC Director Meryl Picard.

BRC News & Updates

Elevate Leadership: Four-Month Leadership & Management Program


Applications are open for the upcoming four-month Leadership & Management Development Program, facilitated by JaRae Birkeland and Jered Cherry of Maitri Leadership. The cohort-based program includes leadership assessments, individual coaching, peer learning, and practical management skill development for current and emerging leaders.


Program Cost:

$650 (subsidized) for Bishop Chamber members

$850 for non-members

Scholarships are available, and space is limited.


Application deadline: August 15, 2026. Apply here.


Learn more about the experience of the first Leadership & Management Development cohort here.

Regional News & Events

Cerro Coso Announces Approval of First-ever 4-year Degree Program


Cerro Coso Community College is poised to introduce its first ever Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security Technology degree program, which is to be delivered entirely online, making it easily available to Bishop and Mammoth Lakes area students.


In a Mammoth Times article announcing the program’s approval, BRC Director Meryl Picard said: “This is exactly the type of investment that helps rural communities thrive. At the Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center, we know that strong economies are built through education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Cerro Coso's new program represents an important step toward keeping talent in our region, attracting new opportunities, and preparing the next generation of leaders for an increasingly digital economy.”


Read the article here.

SoCalREN’s Future Green Leaders Summit - October 8th at Cerro Coso Community College


The 4th annual Future Green Leaders Summit (FGLS), hosted by SoCalREN, is being held in Bishop October 8th. It offers an exciting and inspiring day of learning for local students, exposing them to the many technologies and career paths in sustainability and energy efficiency.


To learn more, visit SoCalREN’s website here.

Training Resources from Our Partners at NorCal SBDC

Webinar Wednesdays: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights, What Every Small Business Owner Should Know


Learn how to protect trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, and patents, as well as the rights and limits of each one when intellectual property attorneys Jim Duncan and Ronnie Capaldi from Young Wooldridge joined SBDC director Kelly Bearden on this free webinar replay.

 

Webinar Wednesdays from the Bakersfield SBDC

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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