IDRS Acorn Project

06/06/2026

🌽🌽 Attention Navajo Nation Clients...Corn workshop coming your way from our partners at Tolani Lake Enterprises 🌽🌽

Yá'át'ééh!

Tolani Lake Enterprises will be hosting our fourth regenerative agricultural workshop! This is a free workshop open to all! Please call or email to RSVP to ensure we have enough food for all.

Here's what you need to know:

📅 Date: Saturday, June 27th
🕙 Start Time: 9 AM MST / 10 AM MDT
End Time: 3 PM MST / 4 PM MDT
📍 Location: Tolani Lake Enterprises

Food is provided
Limited stipends available

06/04/2026

🎯 Rez Business Reality Check

You Do Not Need Everything Figured Out to Start.

One of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship is believing you need to have everything perfect before taking your first step.

Many people delay starting because they think they need:
❌ A perfect logo
❌ A fancy website
❌ Thousands of dollars
❌ A detailed business plan
❌ Every answer before they begin

The reality?

Many successful Rez businesses started with:
✔ A skill they already had
✔ A need they saw in the community
✔ A willingness to learn
✔ Consistent action

No one starts as an expert. Every successful entrepreneur started somewhere, made mistakes, learned lessons, and kept moving forward.

Progress will always beat perfection.

If you have been waiting for the "right time," consider this your reminder that sometimes the best way to learn is by starting.

💬 What's one thing you've been putting off because you don't feel ready yet?

06/04/2026

The IDRS Acorn Project and Tolani Lake Enterprises attended Oweesta Corporation's Annual Native CDFI Access Convening this week to support financial literacy on the Navajo Nation. IDRS and TLE are very thankful to Oweesta for their support of our work.

06/04/2026

🛍️✨ The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF Program is excited to announce our third upcoming regional Etsy workshop! 🚀

The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites across California and Nevada during June and July to teach participants how to launch an Etsy store. But this workshop isn't just for Native artisans and craftspeople 🎨🧵. Anyone selling a physical or digital product 📦💻 will learn valuable skills to create stronger listings that help attract customers and increase sales.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to turn your products into professional Etsy listings that stand out online 🌟. In Selling on Etsy, you'll discover how to write stronger product titles and descriptions ✍️, use storytelling and keywords 🔍 to improve visibility, and create listings that reflect the quality, meaning, and authenticity behind your work. Participants will also learn how to use AI 🤖 as a simple tool to create polished Etsy listings faster and with greater confidence.

🏷️ Selling on Etsy
📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
🕛 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
📍 Washoe Native TANF (Alpine), 60 Washo Blvd., Markleeville, CA 96120

✏️To register, please visit: https://www.nativebiz.org/event/selling-on-etsy-alpine/

💰 This webinar is paid for in part by USDA Rural Development, the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, and the Elevate Initiative. 💰

The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF program has teamed up to help you launch your e-commerce journey. The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites in California and Nevada over four weeks Read more

06/03/2026

💰 GRANT ALERT: Funding Opportunities for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs 💰

Looking for funding to help grow your business? Here are a few grant opportunities currently accepting applications or expected to be available this month:

✨ **Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant**
• $10,000 grants available
• Complete eligible training courses to unlock your application
• Applications reviewed monthly through December 2026
• Free to apply

✨ **EmpowHer Grant**
• Up to $50,000
• For women-owned businesses creating positive community impact
• Deadline: June 15, 2026

✨ **Cartier Women's Initiative**
• Awards ranging from $30,000–$100,000
• Open to women-owned and women-led businesses with social or environmental impact
• Deadline: June 16, 2026

✨ **Kirabo Grant**
• $5,000 grant
• Supports entrepreneurs from historically under-resourced communities
• Includes business coaching
• Deadline: June 28, 2026

✨ **Amber Grant for Women**
• Monthly grants plus larger annual awards
• One application qualifies you for multiple funding opportunities
• Open year-round

📌 Before applying:
✔ Have your business description ready
✔ Know how you will use the funds
✔ Be clear about the impact the funding will have on your business
✔ Follow all application instructions carefully

Remember: Not every grant is the right fit. Focus on opportunities that align with your business goals and eligibility requirements.

06/03/2026

🛍️✨ The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF Program is excited to announce our second upcoming Etsy workshop in Nevada! 🚀

The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites across California and Nevada during June and July to teach participants how to launch an Etsy store. But this workshop isn't just for Native artisans and craftspeople 🎨🧵. Anyone selling a physical or digital product 📦💻 will learn valuable skills to create stronger listings that help attract customers and increase sales.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to turn your products into professional Etsy listings that stand out online 🌟. In Selling on Etsy, you'll discover how to write stronger product titles and descriptions ✍️, use storytelling and keywords 🔍 to improve visibility, and create listings that reflect the quality, meaning, and authenticity behind your work. Participants will also learn how to use AI 🤖 as a simple tool to create polished Etsy listings faster and with greater confidence.

🏷️ Selling on Etsy
📅 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
🕛 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
📍 Washoe Native TANF (Douglas), 1248 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, NV 89410

✏️To register, please visit: https://www.nativebiz.org/event/selling-on-etsy-douglas/

💰 This webinar is paid for in part by USDA Rural Development and the Elevate Initiative. 💰

The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF program has teamed up to help you launch your e-commerce journey. The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites in California and Nevada over four weeks Read more

06/02/2026

🚩 Entrepreneurship Trap #1: Building a Business Without Understanding Your Audience

One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is building a business before truly understanding who they are building it for.

In Native entrepreneurship, relationships matter. Community matters. Listening matters.

Before launching a product, service, or program, take time to learn:

✔ What problems people are actually trying to solve

✔ What your community values

✔ What people are already spending money on

✔ Where gaps and opportunities exist

Sometimes we fall in love with the idea before confirming there is a real need.

Good market research is not just about surveys and statistics. It is about conversations, connection, observation, and understanding the people you hope to serve.

Many successful Native-owned businesses started by addressing a need they saw in their own community. The stronger your understanding of your audience, the stronger your foundation for growth.

Before investing more time, money, or energy into your business, ask yourself:

❓ Have I truly listened to the people I want to serve?

The answers may shape your next best business decision.

06/02/2026

🛍️✨ Attention Western Nevada: The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF Program have teamed up to help you launch your e-commerce journey! 🚀

The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites across California and Nevada during June and July to teach participants how to launch an Etsy store. But this workshop isn't just for Native artisans and craftspeople 🎨🧵. Anyone selling a physical or digital product 📦💻 will learn valuable skills to create stronger listings that help attract customers and increase sales.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to turn your products into professional Etsy listings that stand out online 🌟. In Selling on Etsy, you'll discover how to write stronger product titles and descriptions ✍️, use storytelling and keywords 🔍 to improve visibility, and create listings that reflect the quality, meaning, and authenticity behind your work. Participants will also learn how to use AI 🤖 as a simple tool to create polished Etsy listings faster and with greater confidence.

🏷️ Selling on Etsy
📅 Monday, June 15, 2026
🕛 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
📍 Washoe Native TANF (Carson), 401 Washoe Street, Carson City, NV 89703

✏️To register, please visit: https://www.nativebiz.org/event/selling-on-etsy-carson/

💰 This webinar is paid for in part by USDA Rural Development, the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), and the Elevate Initiative. 💰

The IDRS Acorn Project and the Washoe TANF program has teamed up to help you launch your e-commerce journey. The Acorn Project will visit eight Washoe TANF sites in California and Nevada over four weeks Read more

06/01/2026

🌉 Attention Bridgeport Indian Colony: IDRS Acorn Project workshop coming your way 🌉

Turn Your Ideas into Action

Built on the proven CO.STARTERS Entrepreneurship model, this interactive three-hour workshop is designed to help participants move from 💡 ideas to action. Through guided collaboration, participants will explore their ideas using the CO.STARTERS Canvas, gain valuable customer insights, and define clear, actionable next steps.

Whether someone is just getting started, feeling stuck, or simply needs a refresher, this workshop provides the momentum needed to move forward with confidence. 🌱

📅 Monday, June 15, 2026
🕛 9 am - 12:00 pm
📍 Bridgeport Indian Colony's Administration Building, 355 Sagebush Dr., CA 93517

✏️To register, please visit: https://www.nativebiz.org/event/bridgeport-introduction-to-entrepreneurship/

The workshop is focused on three essential areas:

🔍 Part 1: Explore Your Idea
🛠️ Part 2: Refine Your Model
🧭 Part 3: Define Next Steps

In this workshop you will gain:

• Clarity around your idea
• A better understanding of your customer
• Tools to test and refine your concept
• A clear action plan to move forward

💰 This webinar is paid for in part by USDA Rural Development, the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz), and the Elevate Initiative. 💰

Turn Your Ideas into Action Built on the proven CO.STARTERS Entrepreneurship model, this interactive three-hour workshop is designed to help participants move from ideas to action. Through guided collaboration, participants will explore their ideas using Read more

06/01/2026

🌿 New Month. New Opportunities. 🌿

It’s the first day of a brand-new month, and that means a fresh chance to move one step closer to the vision you have for yourself, your family, and your business.

As Native entrepreneurs, many of us are building more than businesses. We are creating opportunities where there were none, honoring the work of those who came before us, and laying foundations for the generations that will come after us.

This month, take a moment to ask yourself:

✨ What is one goal I will accomplish?
✨ What is one habit I need to improve?
✨ What is one fear I need to stop letting hold me back?

Remember, success is rarely built in a single day. It is built through consistent action, even on the days when motivation is low.

Plant the seed.
Do the work.
Trust the process.
Keep showing up.

Your ancestors survived unimaginable challenges so you could have the opportunity to chase your dreams today. Honor that gift by taking action.

Here's to a month of growth, courage, and purpose. 💛