A new leadership team at Sierra Commons is recalibrating the nonprofit’s focus on business education in 2024 with two new pilot education programs already on the books.
“I very strongly feel that small businesses are going to save America. When small business is done well it’s an incredible force for positive change,” said new Board President Ean Price Murphy. Murphy brings decades of experience with small business and non-profit finances and for the past three years she served as Board Treasurer and taught classes for Sierra Commons’ Business Ignitor Course.
Four local leaders are excited to join the Sierra Commons Board of Directors, with new programs, the Food Entrepreneur Accelerator and Forest Entrepreneurship Training gaining traction. New Board Directors include: Leslie Kerns, Secretary Jean-Roux Bezuidenhout, Coryon Redd and Treasurer Lars Örtegren.
The new makeup of the Board represents a diverse background in local and small business that includes marketing and communications, accounting, alternative energy, technology, design, fundraising and volunteer recruitment.
“I hope my experience in fundraising and volunteer recruitment will bring more resources to invest in projects and programs at Sierra Commons. I’m most excited about building community awareness. Small businesses can access training, business advising and coworking at Sierra Commons to move their business forward,” said Leslie Kerns.
For the past 15 years, Kerns has served as the Registry Manager for the In-Home Supportive Services Program at Connecting Point. There she oversees workforce recruitment, enrollment and payroll for caregivers in the program.
Long-time Sierra Commons coworker and volunteer, Jean-Roux Bezuidenhout brings more than a decade of design and tech sector experience to the board.
“I bring a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, technological expertise and a genuine commitment to community welfare to the table. I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with Sierra Commons to drive positive change and empower local businesses and residents through innovative tech solutions,” said Bezuidenhout.
Always innovative and looking to bring sustainable jobs to the community, Sierra Commons is thrilled to bring two green energy experts into the mix.
“Sierra Commons is a leader in building a more sustainable and resilient small business community in Nevada County. I’m proud to bring my perspectives and experience in governance, strategic planning and community engagement to the role. I want to support the organization to be a vibrant cornerstone in our economy supporting the success of small businesses throughout the Sierras,” said Örtegren, Co-Founder of worker-owner Cooperative, California Solar Electric Co.
Coryon Redd is a returning Board of Director with significant insight into the organization’s history and mission. A Solar Design Consultant, he brings his experience as an entrepreneur, consultant, teacher, speaker and CEO.
Entrepreneurs are essential drivers of the local economy. At their March 26th meeting, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to adopt a 31-page two-year Economic Development Action Plan. Highlighted areas for expanded focus include building a strong foundation for local entrepreneurship, small business formation and supporting the county’s creative economy strengths.
Locally-owned businesses are significant drivers of the economy. In the U.S., small family-owned businesses are the country’s largest employer, employing a total of 61.6 million people, 45.9% of the entire U.S. workforce. Small businesses represent 99.9 percent of all businesses in the U.S., according to 2024 statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Sierra Commons offers heart-forward guidance and compassionate business education, connecting people with high-value resources to be successful. By creating a safe, supportive environment, entrepreneurs can explore their dreams and face their fears head-on to grow the confidence and knowledge needed to become important contributors to a vibrant local economy.
In 2023, Sierra Commons was involved with 14 new business start-ups, advised 83 businesses, spent 1,500 hours on one-to-one advising, held 46 accountability groups and supported the creation of 9 full-time jobs and 27 part-time jobs.
Read the full 2023 Impact Report at: https://www.sierracommons.org/impact-report-2023 Meet the Board:
https://www.sierracommons.org/board-and-staff
Learn more about Sierra Commons ongoing Business Education, Coworking and one-on-one advising at: https://www.sierracommons.org/