entrepreneurs

Those of you who have been reading this column for a while know, when I go to a festival, I bring nuggets back to you. I spent this last weekend at Wanderlust in Squaw Valley. This was my 5th year at the festival. As usual, it did not disappoint.

The Department of Business and Industry will host the sixth annual Governor’s Conference on Business August 17 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks.

Tomorrow, I am going to paint the word FOCUS on the wall at the Creative Center on Telegraph Street, owned by Jeffrey Pace of Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery. Four months ago, I wrote an article about focus and how it works to achieve your goals in life. If you missed it, you can read it here. Do you notice something missing from the article?

Are you ready for one of the best Wednesdays of the year? The annual Concert Under the Stars just gets bigger and better every year. Food trucks, a silent auction, an exciting live auction, and of course, some amazing music – this year, the Family Stone will be rocking the Brewery Arts Center Minnesota Street Stage. For some quieter entertainment, Doug Watson appears as ‘Will Rogers’ at Dangberg Home Historic Ranch. Take the kids to Galaxy Theaters tonight and introduce them to a timeless favorite, The Sandlot.

No matter how good you are at this thing called life, at one time or another, you may have agreed on a bad deal. This could be any type of deal. It could be a relationship that went south. You could have a bad deal with a vendor for your business. Or, maybe, you accepted a job you without asking enough questions and you feel stuck.

Today, we are celebrating the birth of our country and the freedoms we enjoy within it. Yet, today I feel pulled to ask you to go a little deeper.

A group of youthful entrepreneurs with the Young African Leaders Initiative visited Carson City this past week as part of a six-week tour of the United States.

This weekend, I went to Lake Tahoe with my Little. As a Big, with Big Brothers Big Sisters, beach time is fun time. But it’s also time to connect with my Little and talk.

The Pony Express rides again. Actually, the re-ride is an annual occurrence, and always comes right through the heart of Carson City. See the mochila hand-off at the corner of Second and Curry Streets today around 12:30 p.m. (but can be up to three hours early or late) and you can follow its historic route online HERE. The Nevada National Guard celebrates Flag Day and the Army’s anniversary on the Capitol Grounds at 10:00 a.m.

Creating change, whether it be in your home, community, or company, is a fine art. Consciousness, awareness of the environment you are in, and gentle communication are necessary. You can adjust your thoughts and actions to collaborate to create the change.

This last weekend was my birthday weekend. I followed none of my usual traditions, at least the way I usually do them. I went to a different retreat. I met new friends. I went to a different beach. I saw Wonder Woman in D-Box at Galaxy Theater inside Casino Fandango. Each of these new experiences gave me new perspective. It was then I realized there is comfort in routine. Yet, the real experiences come when you shake it up.

One of the rock star recruiters in my recruitment division, Heather, had a thought provoking question for me. She asked me about gun-shy job applicants. Lately, she had faced applicants who were plain tired. They had lost their fire.

Nevada based start-up companies looking for an opportunity to showcase their unique products or services while competing for cash and prizes should look no further. The Governor’s Conference on Business 2017 is hosting a business pitch competition as part of the annual business resource and networking conference.

Bike month rolls right along with an evening ride under the big, beautiful moon this evening. You’ll need a helmet and bike light, of course. The evening will be just as nice Thursday, when the annual RSVP Spring Carnival opens at Mills Park. Head to Dayton for the next installment of this month’s Historical Society Lecture Series as Kay Winters reminisces on life as a farmer’s wife in the 1950s and 60s. Ev Musselman rocks the stage at the Max Casino and you’ll find John and Cherie Shipley leading the jazz jam at Living the Good Life.

WEDNESDAY:

Today, I’m going to put on my career coaching hat for this column. Lately, I have run into a lot of educated professionals who are having difficulty finding gainful employment.

The sun is out more and the weather is warming up. With that, comes the need to protect against sunburn. Although the first sunburn of the season feels kind of nostalgic on my skin. I also realize that it’s a bad habit to develop.

When Robin McGregor attended her first Entrepreneurs Assembly meeting at Adams Hub for innovation in February of this year, she had no idea what to expect. Robin’s goal was to drive more people into Carson City Art Gallery, which she opened with her husband Rich, in September 2016. The gallery is located in a historic former stagecoach stop at 110 Curry Street in downtown Carson City.

I love taking clients on Monday mornings just before I write this column. I particularly enjoy the complementary consultations. Because, then I get to share with all of you! This morning, I was speaking with a lovely new client in Seattle.

“All children are artists. The problem is to remain an artist once you grow up.” — Pablo Picasso, Painter, Sculptor.

In the Fall of 2015, I was teaching to a group of high school students on the topic of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship. As examples, I shared stories about the imaginative minds of George Lucas and Steve Jobs.

Since its local launch in August, the Carson City chapter of Entrepreneurs Assembly has become the fastest-growing branch in the area, said Peggy Wynne Borgman, community curator at Adams Hub for Innovation.

Easter weekend is almost upon us and there are a multitude of egg hunts and festivities to choose from. Whether you live in Carson City, Dayton, or Douglas County or fancy the Easter bonnet and pet parade in Virginia City, there’s something in your neighborhood. Take a look at my Easter guide HERE, and go have a great time with the kids.

“I made a decision that incarceration would not be my last destination. God is not done with me yet.” — Anonymous

I remember when I first met Alyssa, along with a dozen other students, in my class. As they were reading aloud, and under her breath, Alyssa politely corrected the girl reading in the chair next to her. She was shy, wise, and well-spoken.

This morning, I was getting my morning coffee and gearing up for Motivation Monday at Adams Hub for Innovation. In the process, I overheard a conversation. Someone was looking for a solution. I had the answer.

This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking with a career coaching client who is late in his career. Within a few minutes of speaking to him, I knew I had to share his lesson with Carson City too. See, experience is a double-edged sword.

When I say the word challenge, how do you feel? Do you feel energized and ready to take it on? Do you feel afraid? Maybe you feel some other way? Challenge is a catalyst for change.

The Micromanipulator Company recently hosted the award-winning 2016-17 Eagle Valley Middle School Jedi Engineers of Carson City, along with school district officials, local businesses, families and friends.

During the Thursday, March 16 event at the company’s facility, the Jedi Engineers were presented with a proclamation from the Western Manufacturing Alliance naming them the first “WMA Junior Technology Advancement Partners” in recognition of their robotics achievements.

This week's edition of It's Your City with host Cortney Bloomer features Randy Gaa, secretary of the Carson City pedestrian, hiking and cycling nonprofit Muscle Powered.

The group promotes bicycle and pedestrian activities around Carson City. See the video below or go here.

Senator Ben Kieckhefer, whose district includes Reno and Carson City, introduced a legislative package Tuesday to strengthen Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and ensure Nevada is the destination of choice for business startups and entrepreneurs. The package includes a first-of-its-kind $45 million venture capital fund for businesses in the state.

The New Entrepreneur Network of the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation, together with the Carson City Library, will kick off the second Middle School Maker Camp during Spring Break, March 21-23, 2017.

Hello Carson City! If you went through a little column withdrawal last week, I apologize. I was traveling back from Brendon Burchard’s High Performance Academy. A coach and consultant’s education is never done and I am thrilled to come back armed with new insights, techniques, and research to boost your productivity and focus.