IDRS Inc.'s Small Business Information Portal

Chemehuevi Journey Into Business
2025-04-30 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Chemehuevi Community Center, 1978 Valley Mesa, Havasu Lake, CA, 92363, United States
Come learn what it takes to build a small business in a collaborative process with Native entrepreneurs just like yourself. We’ll be building a mock CO.STARTERS Canvas so you’re prepared when you’re ready to launch your business.
This isn’t just for newbies. If you want to launch a new product or move into a new business or geographical area, the CO.STARTERS Canvas can be invaluable in getting your priorities strait before you start. We’ll also be integrating technology and showing how AI can help you fill out your canvas. The workshop will feature giveaways, prizes, snacks and more with attendance!
The Chemehuevi Indian Tribe’s Journey into Native Business powered by CO.STARTERS will take place Wednesday, April 30th from 3 pm to 6 pm. Registration is open to all community members and the workshop is free to attend. To register please click on the “Going” button above and fill in your information.
The Workshop will be held at the Tribal Community Center at 1978 Valley Mesa in Havasu Lake, California.
For more information, please contact our community host, Varner Escobar, Chemehuevi TERO Director. He can be reached at 760-858-5100 or by sending him an email at dir.tero@cit-nsn.gov.
You can also reach out to Mark Thompson from the IDRS Acorn Project at 916-803-7550 or at mark@idrsinc.org.
About Your Presenter:
Mark Thompson serves the Executive Director of Indian Dispute Resolution Services. He also guides the IDRS Acorn Project, IDRS’ microenterprise development program, where he provides entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to Native American entrepreneurs and works with businesses operated by Native American tribes to conduct feasibility studies, develop business plans, establish internal accounting procedures and secure grant funding to further economic development through the creation of small businesses in Indian Country.
Outside of his work for IDRS, Mark has formally been involved in several small businesses including a real estate company, a restaurant, and a mobile disc jockey service. Mr. Thompson received his BS in Business from University of California, Berkeley and completed the Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He lives outside Sacramento, California where he and his wife Mandi operate a small horse boarding facility and are raising two children, Zane and Marina.
This workshop is funded by the USDA Rural Development, the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Small Business Administration, the Elevate Initiative, and the Bank of America Foundation.

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