Gym Serves Elite Athletes Thanks to Loan Fund Infusion

Joe Justice, Loan Officer, The Loan Fund

By Joe Justice, Loan Officer, The Loan Fund

Steven Horwath spent his career as a fitness trainer working at Albuquerque-area gyms with highly motivated, competitive athletes. Two years ago, he leased a 3,000 square foot building on San Francisco Road and opened his own gym to cater to this elite crowd. Turning Point Strength and Conditioning provides structured, individualized workouts and state-of-the-art equipment designed to build strength, speed and agility.

Despite his years of expertise and a 40-page business plan, Horwath found a traditional bank unable to lend him $60,000 for his startup. However, the bank’s loan officer referred the aspiring business owner to The Loan Fund, a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that helps business owners and nonprofit organizations throughout New Mexico by providing loans, training and business consulting.

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Delegate Frees Small-Business Owners To Pursue Growth

By Finance New Mexico

By Finance New Mexico

Sooner or later, an entrepreneur has to know his limits and acknowledge that some tasks can and should be done by others to allow him to focus on the bigger picture. That requires delegation — trusting others, whether subordinates, partners or independent contractors, to complete an assignment as directed.

As obvious as that sounds, an entrepreneur can have a hard time trusting others with his “baby,” ultimately defeating many business objectives and stunting the company’s natural growth.

Many businesses in New Mexico start small, with the owner doing all the work that’s required to get off the ground. Continue reading

How Employers Can Make Discrimination a Thing of the Past

By Margaret A. Graham, Attorney, Montgomery & Andrews P.A.

By Margaret A. Graham, Attorney, Montgomery & Andrews P.A.

Employment discrimination is toxic for the employer, the perpetrator and the victim. It cripples productivity, creates a hostile work environment and hurts employee morale.

If allowed to continue, it can lead to costly lawsuits and damage a business’s image, reputation and brand.

The best way an employer can avoid being found liable for employment discrimination is to make equal opportunity the company standard — from recruitment to promotions, pay, benefits and training opportunities. Employers should know enough about employment law to recognize discrimination and the potential for discrimination when they see it and to ask for expert help if they are unsure.

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