Inventors and small business owners may be eligible for free legal assistance when preparing and filing a patent application. The US Patent and Trademark Office offers the Patent Pro Bono Program which utilizes a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs to match volunteer patent attorneys and agents with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses to provide free legal assistance in securing patent protection.
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Small Steps and Passion Inspire ‘Pura Vida’
Buen Provecho Albuquerque is the only restaurant in New Mexico and one of only a handful in the United States that is 100% dedicated to “the taste of Pura Vida” — the flavors of Costa Rica. The restaurant, operating out of a charming space at El Vado open-air food hall in Albuquerque, is a labor of love for chef and owner Kattia Rojas. “Buen Provecho is my dream,” she says. “It’s my baby.”
Today, Kattia enlists 15 part-time staff to help her serve up to 400 plates a day from her restaurant, run a catering operation, and hand-roll tamales available for mail order across the country from a commissary kitchen. But in the beginning, it was just Kattia and her devoted husband and business partner, William, dishing out Costa Rican specialties at area farmers markets.
With a creative streak a mile wide and a zest for delighting her customers, she expanded her market menu week by week. “We started with tamales but then I said, ‘Oh! I think I can bring pastries.’ And then, ‘Oh! I think I can bring jams,’ and then ‘Oh! I think people will love my dessert.’ So by the end, I had like 30 different products in my little, tiny car,’” she laughs. “And every week was a task to load everything and go to market and come back with no space.”
Continue readingDoctors Need Capital Too
Martha Manquero-Butler witnessed firsthand the difficulties elderly patients face when trying to access health care. As a doctor at Texas Tech El Paso’s residency program, she helped by visiting patients where they were located instead of asking them to go to a clinic.
A few years later, with the support of family and savings, Manquero-Butler launched New Light Primary Care to bring the art and science of medical house calls to El Paso. It did not take long for the three-person practice to grow to 30+ employees who served more than 800 patients by 2017.
That’s when the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce referred Manquero-Butler to LiftFund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), for a commercial real estate loan that would help her acquire a building to serve as a base for staff and patients.
Continue readingGrowth Unlimited for Production Sewing Company
Veronica Fuller has been sewing for more than 40 years. It’s what she loves to do.
The owner of Sandia Pet Products migrated from Juarez, Mexico, 32 years ago and began working in sewing production facilities around Albuquerque, lending her expertise to manufacturing companies like Southwest Creations Collaborative, Marpac, and Sierra Peaks Corporation. In her off hours, she did custom sewing jobs from her garage. She made pillows, clothing, and more.
In 2022, Fuller’s employer at Sandia Pet Products was ready to retire from the 30-year-old business and turned to Fuller and another worker with an offer to buy the company.
Fuller’s colleague was not interested but Fuller jumped at the chance to take over the wholesale business that specialized in dog collars and leashes.
“I started asking questions and looking for loans,” said Fuller. “I asked [my former employer] Susan from Southwest Creations, ‘do you know of people I can borrow some money from? I’m a woman and I’m a Mexican.’” Fuller was directed to WESST, a business development organization that offers capital and technical assistance. “I called WESST and WESST gave me the loan.”
Continue readingLoan Officer Lauds Business Owners, Says ‘Entrepreneurs are Resourceful’
Angelina Romo believes small businesses in the central region of New Mexico are standing on their own again after the devastating effects of the pandemic. She should know. Romo is a loan officer with The Loan Fund, a nonprofit lender that offers loans and technical assistance to businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the state. Romo serves the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI’s) central region encompassing Albuquerque and surrounding areas.
“Many small businesses did a tremendous job learning to pivot with COVID limitations,” she said, citing clients who switched to selling sterilization items and protective gear or utilizing delivery services when they were unable to work directly with their customers.
Three years on, Romo sees businesses expanding their networks to achieve growth.
“Some of my independent trucking clients have even taken subcontracts with large corporations to ensure they continue to prosper,” she said. “Covid separated everyone for so long, but businesses have now banded together to continue growth and to survive.”
Continue readingKindling and Accelerant: Partner with Los Alamos National Laboratory
Technology entrepreneurs interested in learning about assistance available from Los Alamos National Laboratory should attend the free Showcase and Demo Day on Monday, July 17 in Los Alamos. The event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, laboratory employees, and others seeking information about commercialization activities and technology acceleration opportunities at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Seating is limited, and attendees are asked to RSVP in advance for the free event.
Continue readingApplications Accepted for Northern N.M. Tribal Economic Diversity Grants
The Regional Development Corporation is accepting applications for 2023 grants from its Tribal Economic Diversity Fund. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2023.
Continue readingPTAP Transitioning to APEX Accelerator
“One of the best-kept secrets*” in the business resource arena is getting better. The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (along with its PTACs – Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) is changing its name to the APEX Accelerator program as it redefines its vision and mission. The program offers assistance to small businesses interested in selling their goods or services to the government, educational institutions, and Tribal entities. The change will help the program increase and improve its program offerings, said Therese Rivera, Program Manager of New Mexico APEX Accelerator.
Continue readingState Lowers GRT Again
The New Mexico gross receipts tax rate will decrease by .125 percent effective July 1, 2023. This is the second decrease enabled by legislation passed in 2022, and it affects every business and purchaser in the state. Often thought of as a sales tax, GRT is slightly different because it applies to the sale of services, as well as tangible items.
Continue readingOERF Offers Low-Interest Loans for Building and Renovation Projects
The Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Fund offers low-cost financing for purchasing, planning, designing, building, surveying, improving, operating, furnishing, equipping, or maintaining land, buildings or infrastructure. Eligible businesses must be engaged in a project that increases the inventory of commercial space in New Mexico while creating or expanding economic opportunity in the state.
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