small business

Seven Douglas County businesses, including two from the South Shore, were recently honored during the 5th annual Spotlight Awards, recognizing their contributions to the community.

The awards were given at the Critical Issues Conference held on Thursday, September 27 and recognized businesses in the following categories: retail, restaurant, manufacturing and production, sports and recreation, entrepreneur, business and professional service, and tourism and hospitality.

There will be a free solar workshop for homeowners, business owners and schools offered by Liberty Utilities at the BaseCamp Conference Center at Squaw Valley on Thursday, April 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Small businesses in the South Lake Tahoe area are now able to receive mall business consulting through a partnership between Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) and the Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

There is an item on Tuesday's El Dorado County Board of Supervisor's agenda that caught many by surprise, especially those supervisors appointed to address the issue. Supervisor Shiva Frentzen is seeking conceptual approval of urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on the issuance of new vacation home rental permits in the unincorporated portions of the County located in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The holidays are upon us which means ‘tis the season to GO Local! Tahoe Chamber’s annual GO Local & Win! contest is kicking off on Small Business Saturday, November 25. Simply pick up a GO Local & Win passport at participating businesses or download one online, then shop or dine at any of the participating business through January 1, 2018. For every $25 spent contestants will receive a stamp on their passport. Completed passports are eligible to up to $500 in cash prizes and those that follow along on the @GOLocalTahoe Facebook page have more opportunities to win.

Liberty Utilities-CA serves nearly 50,000 electric customers in one of the most pristine areas of the country—the Lake Tahoe and surrounding region of Northern California. While it’s no surprise that our customers rank environmental responsibility as very important, it’s been a welcome surprise that they rank Liberty’s environmental stewardship higher each year. In 2016, 75% said we were environmentally responsible—up from 68% the year before!

Liberty Utilities has taken several steps in recent years that contribute to our customers recognizing our environmental commitment.

No, BumpBar is not a new watering hole in South Lake Tahoe. Instead, BumpBar is a nutritious bar with the pregnant or nursing woman in mind, and is the creation of local couple Dr. Amanda Weavil, MD and Scott Weavil.

BumpBar began in 2015 when Amanda, a South Lake Tahoe OB/GYN wanted to develop a nutrition bar for her patients who were either pregnant or nursing. Something they have and not worry about the ingredients.

Scott researched the large nutrition bar market and found there were no options for sale like they had in mind, something people could eat on the go that was healthy.

Not all changes to the City of South Lake Tahoe's master fee schedule results in higher fees for residents and business owners.

During Tuesday' City Council meeting, Kevin Fabino, Director of the Development Services Department, presented the new Fire/Life Safety Inspection Program, something all South Lake Tahoe businesses must participate in annually for the safety of their customers and staff. The SLT Fire Department conducted the inspections until 2011, but they were suspended due to staffing shortages until 2015 when a fire inspector was hired for Fabino's department.

What is Mammoth Lakes' loss will be Lake Tahoe's gain as the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce (Tahoe Chamber) has selected their new Chief Executive Officer from the mountain resort community to the south.

Craig A. Schmidt, the current Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce in Mammoth Lakes, will take over his new position on the South Shore February 6.

The Chamber's Board selected Schmidt, an accomplished chamber professional with 22 years of experience in business, workforce and tourism development.

It's a "win-win" situation for South Lake Tahoe area businesses, shoppers and diners starting November 26 when the Tahoe Chamber launches their GO Local & Win! campaign. Those enjoying local businesses are rewarded for shopping and dining locally and will earn credit for every $25 spent and have a chance to win hundreds of dollars in cash and gifts.

Business owners and operators also win during the "GO Local & Win" campaign as they have an opportunity to promote and expand their base of customers or clientele.

All candidates for South Lake Tahoe City Council were given the same questions. With just one day to go to the elections, we will be featuring their answers and a video of their interview with Tahoe Regional Young Professionals through the day.

JoAnn Conner, 67, Small Business Owner, 35 years in SLT.

Discuss your interest in serving on City Council. What is your prior experience in working with civic, community or governmental organizations?

I am endorsing Randy Vogelgesang for reelection to the STPUD Board. Randy is a long time local, having lived in the South Lake Tahoe community for 30 years raising a family with his wife, Cathy, and running a successful engineering firm as a small business owner. During the twenty years that I have known Randy and his family, I appreciate the honesty and integrity he has always displayed both personally and professionally.

Are you starting a business? Are you overwhelmed by a new business or bleeding money into your business? Entrepreneurs Assembly (EA), an award-winning mentor program that assists budding and existing entrepreneurs, is here to help!

To date, they have assisted over 250 unique entrepreneurs in only three years, guiding individuals to form real strategies that produce real results.

El Dorado County and its Board of Supervisors have been in full stride throughout the last year solving critical issues, making important changes to protect tax dollars and providing expanded services to the public.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to rescind the ban on single use plastic bags in retail outlets during Monday's meeting. Mayor Wendy David and Mayor Pro Tem Austin Sass were the only ones who wanted to continue the ban but were outvoted in the 3-2 vote.

Zawadisha's annual Holiday Bazaar is back again, and this time in a new location. Join them at the Blue Angel Cafe on Saturday, December 5 to knock out your holiday shopping while helping to change the world at the same time. The event will be held in the loft upstairs at the restaurant located at 1132 Ski Run Blvd. from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Entrance is free and all ages are welcome.

These are challenging times for businesses and many entrepreneurs are left without the guidance necessary to build sustainable businesses. Fortunately, the Tahoe Tactical Team is available to assist current and prospective business owners in their entrepreneurial journey. This past week, the Tahoe Tactical Team expanded its business coaching program to include businesses and entrepreneurs in Douglas County due to a grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

On June 14, 2014, the South Lake Tahoe City Council voted to delay the implementation of the second phase of the plastic bag ban in the city. Originally slated to begin on October 15, 2014, the Council, by a vote of 3-2, moved the start date out one year to October 15, 2015.

Now that the second phase of the ban has started, Mayor Hal Cole wants to revisit that portion of the ban.

Cole said he wants to undo the ban on plastic bags for retail stores and asked for the topic to be on an upcoming agenda.

Are you starting a business? Are you overwhelmed by a new business or bleeding money into your business? Entrepreneurs Assembly (EA), an award-winning mentor program that assists budding and existing entrepreneurs, is here to help!

EA begins its free monthly program on October 1st at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC). Sponsored by LTCC, Tahoe Chamber, Tahoe Mountain Lab and the Future Business Leaders, the ongoing program occurs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.

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Tahoe Tot Spot celebrates its grand re-opening under new ownership on Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m. Along with food, drinks and a Tahoe Chamber ribbon cutting, everyone is invited to meet Tahoe Tot Spot’s new owner Julie Koster Paradysz and learn more about this kid-centric business.

This free small business tax seminar is sponsored by the California Board of Equalization, the City of South Lake Tahoe, South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce and Tahoe Chamber. Register Here.

Topics include:

-Avoiding sales and use tax problems

-Forms of ownership

-Social media marketing

-Employee or independent contractor

-Loan programs and services

-Better business through better records

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Posh Finds has been opened in South Lake Tahoe since November 4, and owner Krystal Garcia is excited about what's to come. The store features lightly used clothing and accessories along with some new items she's been able to find at deep discounts.

"I like nice things but hate to pay retail," said Garcia. Her new shop has a large selection of designer jeans, shoes, tops, jewelry, dresses and little bit of everything.

She moved to South Lake Tahoe over five years ago and has been a stay at home mom. The store, she says, is a long time coming and will fill a void in the area.

Tahoe Chamber and Barton Health, in conjunction with Small Business Majority and Covered California, will host a free interactive event on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 on the state’s new health insurance marketplace, Covered California, and how it impacts small employers in South Lake Tahoe.

Healthcare Forum for South Lake Tahoe Small Businesses
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 4:00-5:30pm
Lake Tahoe Tahoe Community College, Board Room
One College Ave, South Lake Tahoe

Join TahoeChamber, Barton Health and Small Business Majority for a forum about what the healthcare law means for you, your family and your small business in the coming years. Will include a detailed look at the state and federal rules and an overview of the new coverage options available through Covered California.

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