Take the next step with your business idea

Build confidence, understand your customers, and create a practical plan for moving your business forward.

Journey Into Business is an online program from the IDRS Acorn Project for Native entrepreneurs, primarily in California and Nevada. It combines four group sessions with two individual support appointments.

Whether you have an idea, sell occasionally, or have already started a business, you can begin where you are. You do not need a business degree or a polished business plan.

Application deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026.

What you’ll gain

Leave with tools you can use to make decisions and move your business forward:

• A simple business model that connects your idea, customers, and income.
• A clearer understanding of your customers and how to learn from them.
• A short pitch that explains what you offer and why it matters.
• Marketing priorities that help you focus your time and effort.
• A better understanding of costs, pricing, and how much you need to sell to cover expenses.
• A practical action plan for your next 30, 60, and 90 days.

What we’ll cover

Session 1: Discover
| November 10, 2026 · 5:30–8:00 p.m. Pacific

Explore your strengths, clarify your business idea, and identify your customers. Begin mapping your idea using the CO.STARTERS Canvas.

Session 2: Promote
| November 17, 2026 · 5:30–8:00 p.m. Pacific

Practice explaining what you offer, develop your pitch, and choose marketing priorities that fit your business.

Session 3: Build
| December 1, 2026 · 5:30–8:00 p.m. Pacific

Work through costs, pricing, and how much you need to sell to cover your expenses.

Session 4: Launch
| December 8, 2026 · 5:30–8:00 p.m. Pacific

Set goals and create a practical action plan for your next 30, 60, and 90 days.

Support for your next steps

You’ll have two individual support appointments during the program to apply what you’re learning to your own business, ask questions, and work through your next steps.

What participation involves

• Attend all four live online group sessions.
• Complete two required individual support appointments, scheduled separately from the group sessions.
• Complete activities between sessions to put what you learn into practice.

You do not have to launch your business before the program ends. The goal is to build a clear plan and make progress from where you are today.

Meet your facilitator

Camille Koster is a Cherokee Nation citizen and a certified CO.STARTERS facilitator and trainer. She will guide you through the group sessions and help you apply what you learn to your business.

Have questions?

If you’re unsure whether Journey Into Business is right for you, contact Camille at camille@idrsinc.org.