Native American entrepreneurs, business owners, and community members in New Mexico can learn how to start a business at an online workshop hosted by the American Indian Business Enterprise Center at NMSU’s Arrowhead Center. The one-hour event, called From Idea to Enterprise, starts at 4:30 pm MDT on August 5, 2026. Registration is required.
Continue readingCategory Archives: New Opportunities
Unlock AI
The nonprofit lender DreamSpring is hosting two online workshops to help business owners initiate or expand their use of artificial intelligence. AI for Your Business: Getting Started takes place at 10:00 am MDT on Friday, July 24, 2026. The second session, AI for Your Business: Going Further, is at 10:00 am MDT on Friday, August 7.
Continue readingBusiness Technical Assistance is Part of the Job
Business owners looking for loans or lines of credit can face challenges that extend past financing needs. That’s why the nonprofit lender The Loan Fund offers business technical services to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations that need help with financial and other planning. Prospective borrowers can get assistance with developing their business plan, organization, and financial forecasts. Once they become borrowers, The Loan Fund clients can expect ongoing advice regarding marketing, cash flow, and other operational challenges.
Continue readingGovernment Programs Can Finance a Business
The nonprofit lender LiftFund is hosting an online introduction to government programs that business owners can tap into for business funding. The one-hour webinar takes place on July 15, 2026, at 10:30 am Mountain Daylight Time. Discover the latest government funding programs and resources available to help finance and grow a small business in 2026.
Continue readingMicro-Grant Deadlines Coming Up
The Regional Development Corporation (RDC) is accepting applications for up to $3,000 in capital from its Micro-Grant Fund. And the national organization, Local Initiatives Support Corporate (LISC), is accepting applications for up to $5,000 in funding from its FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab fund. The criteria for each program differ widely, but both represent small business grant programs that can give new business owners critical funding for their enterprises.
Continue readingBook Offers Business Insight Gained Locally
Anne Haines, founder of the nonprofit lender DreamSpring, has collaborated with two local authors to share insights on building a business. Grit and Growth draws on DreamSpring’s 30-year evolution from a tiny startup to a national leader in small business development. Authors Anne Haines, Amber Kani, and Laura Marrich — along with Yashoda Naidoo, founder of Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café and one of the entrepreneurs who shares her story in the book — are hosting a book release conversation at the DreamSpring headquarters in Albuquerque on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Light refreshments will be served. Missed the event? Scroll to the link below to order the book.
Continue readingSBA Doubles Loan Maximum
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides loan guarantees to lenders, giving borrowers access to higher amounts of capital than the bank could offer on its own. As of July 4, 2026, the SBA is increasing the maximum amount that borrowers can access through its 7(a) and 504 signature lending programs.
Continue readingUncover Profit Opportunities
Small business owners building the skills to manage and grow a business can tap into B:Side University, a free web-based platform that breaks down complex topics into clear, actionable guidance that aims to help entrepreneurs navigate everything from financing to daily operations. B:Side University is hosting a live session on Zoom on June 3, 2026, to help business owners uncover profit opportunities.
Continue readingRelationships Matter More than Credit Score
Nonprofit lenders understand there are legitimate reasons and unforeseen circumstances that can cause credit scores to drop below what most traditional banks deem the minimum for granting a business loan. Nonprofit lenders such as WESST emphasize character and relationships more than they do credit scores. WESST will explain what this means during a webinar on May 21, 2026. The webinar is conducted monthly to introduce business owners to the WESST lending program.
Continue readingNo Loan Collateral? No Problem
Small businesses that have been in operation for at least six months may be eligible for a collateral-free loan. The Credit Builder loan is an entry-level loan designed to help New Mexico businesses build or strengthen credit while accessing working capital. The Rural Express loan is similar and is for businesses located in rural areas of New Mexico. Neither Credit Builder nor Rural Express requires collateral, and both are offered by the nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) known as B:Side Fund.
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