Who We Are & What We Do
Our Mission Statement
The Talent Business Alliance supports local businesses at every stage of development. We foster a thriving and equitable business environment. We offer technical assistance, networking, marketing, and advocacy to create social and economic opportunities that expand the vitality of the community of Talent.
Vision for the Future
The Talent Business Alliance envisions a healthy and livable community where residents and stakeholders are empowered to build sustainable family wealth through small business ownership and a local supportive network.
“El Mercadito has been a success so far and we are grateful for the sponsorship and support of Talent Business Alliance that has allowed us to fund cultural events that center Latinx and BIPOC community."
Erica Ledesma, Coalicion Fortaleza
Our Story
The Talent Business Alliance (TBA) of Talent, Oregon has been active since 2005 (formerly the Talent Chamber of Commerce). After a period of volunteer inactivity due to COVID-19, a new board reactivated TBA in the spring of 2022 and is working to support the small business and nonprofit community in Talent, Oregon.
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Talent lost 60% of our businesses in the Almeda Fire, and the remaining 40% (mostly small businesses) are struggling in the wake of incredible losses from the fire and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Talent Business Alliance is building connections among local business owners, supporting their access to financial aid and business grants, increasing the customer base, and providing technical assistance to support the recovery of the business community.
Board of Directors
Meet the Staff Team
Colette Pare-Miller
Administrative Coordinator
Colette Pare-Miller serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Talent Business Alliance. After graduating from college in the Bay Area, Colette moved back to the Rogue Valley and began her work in the nonprofit sector ,beginning at the Family Nurturing Center in Medford, where she worked for seven years. Colette joined the Talent Business Alliance in 2022, and has been working to support Talent's small businesses community since then. Colette's education includes a BA in Research Psychology from Mills College in Oakland, CA. Colette also serves on the city council for the City of Talent, as the vice-chair for the Talent Urban Renewal Agency, and as the council liaison for the Talent Public Arts Committee.
Nica Vano
Outreach Network Specialist
Nica Vano has over 20 years of experience specializing in marketing, advertising, web development, data analytics, and business strategy. With a graduate school GPA of 3.87, she successfully elevated a local business's annual revenue to $22 million from under $10 million through innovative and effective business strategies with a tight marketing budget. Currently, she has transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she is bringing her expertise to the table to drive impact.