Welcome to your August news from the Eastern Sierra BRC

Please note that we have two sessions remaining for our Digital Presence for Your Small Business workshop being held August 25 and September 29. To facilitate the broadest reach in Inyo and Mono county, those sessions will be held online. Read on for more details and to learn about other upcoming events.

We’d love to see you soon at the BRC!

Thank you,

Meryl Picard
Director
Eastern Sierra BRC

Upcoming Events at the BRC

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.

Digital Presence for your Small Business, Now ONLINE August 25 and Sept 29

Looking to build a stronger digital presence for your business? Businesses across the Eastern Sierra have already learned vital skills for growing a digital presence at our two prior workshops– And, to ensure businesses across the Eastern Sierra can benefit, we’ve moved the remaining two sessions online.

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. Hear Krystina share more about the workshop on our LinkedIn page (and, give us a follow, if you haven’t yet!)

Upcoming Sessions:

August 25 & September 29
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.

RSVP here to get the Zoom link.

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.

Youth Pitch Camp 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.

BRC News & Updates

FREE, One-on-One Digital Presence Coaching: Limited Sessions Available, Reserve Yours Now!

Were you unable to attend one of our group workshops with Krystina Maixner of Chalk Fox Studio, or did you attend but feel like you really need some one-on-one time to address your specific needs?

The BRC has secured a limited number of slots for our clients to meet one-on-one with Krystina to address those.

Express your interest in booking a session here, and Krystina will be in touch to set the time that works best for you.

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

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 on 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.

Community Presentation: Eastern Sierra Agriculture Activation Plan

The Eastern Sierra Agriculture Activation Plan will provide local government, agricultural producers, and project partners with actionable, regionally informed strategies and resources. The goal is to address challenges facing farmers and ranchers, enhance economic opportunities, support environmental stewardship, strengthen local food systems, and raise community resilience.

Join the team for a community information session being held at the BRC Monday August 17th, 10 am- 12 pm. RSVP here.

Training Resources from our Partner at the Bakersfield SBDC 

Webinar Wednesdays: Webinar Wednesdays: Learn How AI Can Help Your Business Grow

Discover how small businesses are using AI to save time and make smarter decisions — without needing a tech background.

SBDC Director Kelly Bearden is joined by Small Business Specialist Ranjeet Singh Loa for an in-depth look at how the CSUB Small Business Development Center clients use AI for data analysis, sales trend tracking, email marketing, content creation, bookkeeping, and expense categorization — and much more.

Whether you’re a small business owner trying to make sense of your numbers or just curious how AI fits into everyday operations, this episode breaks it down in plain language with real client examples.