Meet Eliote Durham and Dharma Barsotti | Creative entrepreneurs, experiential events and environments

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eliote Durham and Dharma Barsotti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eliote and Dharma, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The importance of resilience, growth, and keeping an open mind to how our business is connected to things that are not obvious. We have two business, one is an event design and production company, BD+20, and the other is a tea and coffee shop, Top of the Trail Tea and coffee. They have ups and downs in different ways but we remind ourselves of the long term vision and look at roads which might not be obvious in order to keep going.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Whether it’s our event business or our Tea and coffee shop, at the core is the importance of the moment. Creating an environment that guests can feel comfortable and special at the same time always with at least a touch of luxury and a unique twist.

It was challenging to define what we do at first but after awhile when we could look back on our work as a whole the common threads appeared. Sometimes it takes time to define and develop what you do. There are broad categories such as “we do events” or “we are a coffee shop” but then you dig deeper to see what it is that is bringing our hearts and focus to these places. That was an important lesson for us to learn. Just let things develop and in time the picture becomes clear.

Quality, graciousness, cheerfulness, and respect are always important and should not be compromised.

Also, mean people suck and getting away from them is key to being able to flourish and thrive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is the best part about being in Groveland, there are so many fun things to do.

Arrival day we would start the day at Top of the Trail for Tea and coffee and a cinnamon roll or breakfast burrito. Then we would walk the town. Stopping in a Trail Less Traveled to check out bikes and outdoor gear. Some
Of our favorite shops are on the main strip including the Iron Door Store, Serendipity, The Grove Mercantile (great home made ice cream as well). We would hang out for an apertif in the Charlotte Hotel then Head over to the Iron door Saloon for Dinner, drinks and music.

Day 2 – all about the outdoors. We’d arrange a hiking trip with Echo Adventure Cooperative – they know Yosemite and the area and can always find something fun and unique for us. We’d finish the day at Around the Horn Brewing – great beer brewed in house and food to complement it.

Day 3- Wéd start the day at the Iron Door for breakfast (I love their eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes! CARB LOADING) then definitely dig in for an off road adventure with Miller’s Off Road adventures. They are the real deal. Wind down with a walk through town and a visit to Marvel for a bottle of wine and dinner fixings then watch the sunset from our deck while we grill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We always like to shoutout to each other because we have unwaving support for one another. In addition, we are so thankful for the awesome staff we have had and have, for years Cleo Montenegro was a backbone supporter at BD+20. Stephanie McKee really is building and pushing us to keep our Top of the Trail vision growing and going. Other folks are Rob Betia, Adam Woodruff, and Alex Vlahos. Laura Kramer helped us get off our feet at the coffee shop Huge help from family across the board especially Corinna and Chris Loh at the Iron Door, Eliotés mom, Carol Terrell and partner Clint Bach, as well as her Dad, Charley Durham and step mom Kris Pruitt. So many others who give us support, encouragement and faith. We are truly lucky.

Website: Www. Bdplus20.com, www.tottcoffee.com

Instagram: @BDPLUS20 @top_of_the_trail_tea_coffee