Heart-Forward Business Education

Everyone deserves to follow their calling. Our instructors teach courses year-round with our signature “heart-forward” style. Learn fundamentals in our business bootcamp, the Business Ignitor Course. Are you a foodie? Then dive into industry-specific curriculum with the Food Entrepreneur Accelerator. Or advance your career in forestry and build resilient communities by taking the Forest Entrepreneur Training. Keep sharpening your skills, gain confidence, meet new friends and have fun in a supportive, safe and engaging environment.

Offerings

“This is a great place to get some work done and an awesome community of eclectic folks”
— Rachel Kozloski

We’re Making a Difference

Sierra Commons Community Spotlight

  • Tom Durkin

    Tom Durkin

    Business: Sierra Roots
    Title: Creative Director
    Connection: Ignitor Grad Fall 2019

    Freelance journalist and columnist Tom Durkin is the creative director of the Sierra Roots/No Place to Go Project, which was just awarded a $69,969 grant from the Upstate California Creative Corps. The project will focus on ways to end homelessness and the lack of affordable housing. Photo by Linda Shulman

  • Kelly Moreno

    Kelly Moreno

    Business: Nevada City Home and Garden
    Title: Owner/Founder
    Connection: Ignitor Grad Fall 2022

    Soon after graduating, Kelly opened Nevada City Home and Garden on Broad St. Her shop features unique products, services, and events curated to beautify and satisfy your personal and gift giving home and garden needs.

  • Yinneboma Peterson

    Yinneboma Peterson

    Business: Heptagon Art Studio
    Title: Founder/Owner
    Connection: Ignitor Grad Fall 2022

    Yinneboma is the founder/owner of Heptagon Art Studio, which creates cartoons, comics, animations and video games for the world to love and be entertained. Yinneboma is also a DJ for KVMRx.

  • Melissa Collins

    Melissa Collins

    Business: River Valley Community Bank
    Title: V.P. Branch Banking Officer
    Connection: Business Sponsor

    Melissa Collins is the Vice President branch banking officer for River Valley Bank. She has spoken at Sierra Commons events and helped local small businesses understand financing options.

What People Are Saying

“This is a welcoming environment for work. It is so much nicer to have a community, especially when I work at a computer all day! Finding this place was the best thing that happened to me when I relocated!”

— Marta Macbeth

“Wonderful business community in Nevada County! I’m far more productive working here than from home, and the networking opportunities and friendly atmosphere make it a fantastic environment.”

— Kelsey Austin

Social Justice Statement

Our thoughts and support are with all those adversely affected by the continued structural discrimination and acts of violence toward the African American community and other marginalized groups in this country.  May we each examine our own conditioning and encourage others to do the same.

Land Acknowledgement - an important message from the Nevada City Nisenan tribe.