Annual survey invites Nevada business owners to share challenges, opportunities and resource needs 

The Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC) is inviting entrepreneurs around the state to participate in the 2026 Nevada Small Business Challenges Survey, an annual initiative designed to identify the issues most affecting Nevada’s small business community and help shape future business assistance efforts. 

As Nevada’s economy continues to evolve, understanding the experiences of business owners has never been more important. The survey provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to share the challenges they face, from access to capital and workforce shortages to inflation, marketing, regulatory issues and business growth opportunities. 

The information collected will help Nevada SBDC and its statewide network of partners better understand emerging trends, prioritize technical assistance programs, inform educational offerings and advocate for resources that directly support Nevada’s entrepreneurs. 

“Small businesses are the foundation of Nevada’s economy, and the best way to understand their needs is to listen directly to the owners who are creating jobs and strengthening their communities every day,” said Winnie Dowling, state director of the Nevada SBDC. “The insights gathered through this survey help ensure that future programs and services are responsive to the real-world challenges Nevada businesses are experiencing.” 

Each year, thousands of Nevada entrepreneurs contribute valuable feedback that helps paint a comprehensive picture of the state’s small business landscape. The results are used by economic development organizations, policymakers, community partners and business assistance providers to better align resources with the needs of local businesses. 

Nevada SBDC encourages business owners of every size and in every industry, from startups and home-based businesses to established manufacturers, retailers, restaurants and professional service firms to participate. 

The survey runs from July 20 through Aug. 30 and takes only a few minutes to complete. Responses will help strengthen Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for years to come. 

Business owners are encouraged to share their feedback through the survey, available in English and Spanish.  

– @unevadareno – 

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. As a Nevada land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu. 

About the Nevada Small Business Development Center 
The Nevada Small Business Development Center is a statewide business assistance program hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno. Nevada SBDC provides no-cost, confidential business advising, training and resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow and sustain successful businesses throughout Nevada through a network of offices and partners serving communities across the state. 

Media Contact:  
Brad Scribner 
Community Project Manager 
Nevada Small Business Development Center 
bscribner@unr.edu 
(775) 784-4748 

I wanna live on a houseboat with a dog, surrounded by lots of water and love. What could be more tranquil and ideal? I don’t know if statistics will bear me out, but I suspect nobody who has lived on a houseboat has ever started a fight with a neighbor or waged a war. Water is a calming elixir, and an enduring peacekeeper. Just walking to the shores of Lake Tahoe each day makes me feel terrific and ten years younger.

Perhaps it all started for me when I was a teenage lifeguard and pool rat who could sniff the air of a natatorium and tell you the chlorine count. As a water safety instructor I taught senior lifesaving, and was in hog heaven while floating in my clothes between classes…

In those three idyllic guarding years, I only had to make one save, and that was while vacationing in Hawaii. A Philippine gentleman got caught up in a rip tide off Pe’ahi, and instead of riding it out, he was panicking and fighting it. I kicked off my rubber slippers and went after him of course, but when I reached him, he was frantic and went grasping for me. 

I shouted for him to relax and assured him I would take him in, but he did not understand English, so I let him thrash around a little longer. But he managed to get hold of me and wrestled us into a tight death grip. I knew I had to get him off me or we were both going to visit Davy Jones down there in his locker, so I took a large gulp of air and let us sink together. He didn’t struggle long before abandoning me and paddling for the surface. Had he been able to hold his breath longer than me, well, I suppose we would both be down there playing poker with Davy. But I was finally able to grab him from behind and haul him in…

Once safely ashore, that Philippine gentleman, Catalino, gave me a genuine hug and fixed us both a bowl of Bebinca that was the best I ever had…and he told me, in his personal sign language, that his mother was one hundred years old and still smoking cigars. She was so weak that she had to rest her cigars on the windowsill while smoking them, but if I were to visit them in Manila, she would fix me a bowl of Bebinca that would beat anything I ever tasted before. Well, I was too busy to visit back then, but now that I’m retired, I could go visit, and savor Mom’s Bebinca, but then she would be 160 years old now, and probably smoking her cigars up there alongside Mr. Twain and Mr. Churchill…

So I will close here with apologies to the Bard. Instead of, “Get thee to a nunnery!” May I close with, “Get thee to a watery way!”

Audio: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, an award-winning resort nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of North Lake Tahoe, announces the promotion of Jessica Hillman to Wellness and Adventure Lead Specialist. In her new role, Hillman will lead the resort’s growing portfolio of immersive wellness experiences, curating innovative programming that blends movement, mindfulness and Lake Tahoe’s spectacular alpine landscape while mentoring her team, fostering collaboration across resort departments and developing new signature experiences.

“Jessica has played an integral role in shaping the exceptional wellness experiences our guests have come to know at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe,” said Andrew DeLapp, Resort Manager of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. “Our spectacular setting naturally inspires relaxation, reflection and adventure, and Jessica’s passion, expertise and creativity will continue to elevate the meaningful experiences that help guests connect with both our destination and themselves.”

Raised in Incline Village, Hillman developed a lifelong appreciation for the mountains, forests and waters of North Lake Tahoe. She joined Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe more than a decade ago and quickly discovered a passion for creating experiences that encourage guests to slow down, embrace the outdoors and reconnect with themselves through intentional moments of movement, mindfulness and exploration. 

Throughout her career at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Hillman has led many of the resort’s signature wellness experiences, including sunrise yoga, mindful forest walks, sound baths, breathwork sessions and seasonal wellness programming. She also helped launch the resort’s popular Sauna & Soul experience, a thoughtfully curated wellness program held during the new moon that combines guided journaling, sound healing, and access to the spa’s sauna and steam room, creating a restorative journey for both body and mind.

Hillman has continually expanded her expertise in holistic wellness throughout her career. She is a certified 200-hour yoga instructor, sound healer and Reiki master, with additional training in yoga anatomy, self-myofascial release, restorative yoga and accessible yoga. In 2025, she received Hyatt’s Wellbeing Award, recognizing her dedication to creating meaningful experiences that support the wellbeing of both guests and colleagues.

“There’s something truly sacred about the energy here, and it’s a joy to share the magic of my hometown with guests from around the world,” said Hillman. “More travelers are seeking experiences that foster restoration, connection and presence. I’m excited to continue evolving our wellness offerings by creating thoughtful experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and themselves, and discover Lake Tahoe in a meaningful and lasting way.” 

For more information or to book a getaway to Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, please visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com, or call (775) 832-1234.

About Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino

Situated among the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the award-winning Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers a premier destination based in the nature-infused setting of North Lake Tahoe. The resort is home to an on-site Adventure program offering daily guided activities to help guests explore the Tahoe outdoors with everything from group hikes to meditation sessions. Guests can enjoy premium amenities such as a year-round heated lagoon-style pool, two hot tubs, and a 25,000 square-foot Grand Lodge Casino. The resort also boasts the 20,000 square-foot Stillwater Spa featuring a variety of relaxing massages, facials and body treatments as well as state-of-the-art touchless therapies including the Cryobuilt Cryochamber, “Pearl” a revolutionary float orb, and the “Harmony” bioacoustic mat. The property showcases premier dining opportunities at the brand-new Osteria Sierra offering elevated Italian cuisine, pub-style fare at Cutthroat’s Saloon, and grab-and-go selections at Tahoe Provisions. Additional culinary delights include afternoon tea service on the weekends and a selection of world-class pastries created by the resort’s renowned team of pastry chefs. Recognized for excellence, the resort has garnered numerous awards including Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Smart Meetings Smart Stars Awards, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotel Awards.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, at 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, NV, 89451. For more information, visit HyattRegencyLakeTahoe.com or follow the resort on Facebook or Instagram.

About Hyatt Regency hotels 

The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 countries around the world. The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centers, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit. For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community. As a hospitality original, Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts are founded on openness—our colleagues consistently serve with open minds and open hearts to deliver unforgettable celebrations, effortless relaxation and notable culinary experiences alongside expert meetings and technology-enabled collaboration. The brand prides itself on an everlasting reputation for insightful care—one that welcomes all people across all countries and cultures, generation after generation.
For more information, please visit hyatt.com