Author Archives: Taura Costidis

Web-Based Services Aim to Make Business More Manageable

Posted on by

web toolsThe Internet has linked New Mexico businesses with a worldwide web of customers, and it’s also provided a universe of cost-cutting and time-saving tools that are simplifying many aspects of running a business. Better yet, many of these tools are free or affordable.

Many businesses already use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to advertise products, offer discounts and interact with customers. Even critical comments from customers help businesses by pointing out correctable problems with service or products; they’re a cheap form of damage control and quality control. Continue reading →

Accion Loan Helps Couple Expand Tea Business Beyond New Mexico

Posted on by
By Justin Hyde, Accion loan officer

By Justin Hyde, Accion Loan Officer

Hoa Tran Luong and her husband, Vi, were in a relatively enviable position when they approached Accion New Mexico ∙ Arizona ∙ Colorado in 2012 for a loan to expand their Boba Tea Company beyond Albuquerque.

The Luongs had financed their own startup in 2005 using money from another Albuquerque business — Noble Collectibles. Over the next seven years, that first Boba Tea Company location spawned four more stores.

“Boba Tea came to us with strong fundamentals in place for their loan request and a great vision of the next stage of their business’ growth,” said Jordan van Rijn, a senior loan officer at Accion.

Continue reading →

Entrepreneurs urged to “Come WESST”

Posted on by
By Cindy Wilson, Regional Program Coordinator and Trainer, WESST

By Cindy Wilson, Regional Program Coordinator and Trainer, WESST

Anthony Urquidez sees two types of clients at the Roswell office of WESST, where he is regional manager: the aspiring entrepreneur who walks in the door – almost on a whim – armed with little more than an idea, and the would-be business owner who arrives with a business plan and a clear idea of what she needs, whether it’s a loan or instruction in computer skills or tax preparation.

All are welcome at WESST, which serves small businesses from offices in Roswell, Albuquerque, Farmington, Rio Rancho, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.

The nonprofit small business development and training organization helps clients find loans when traditional lenders have turned them down, and it provides expert advice for people who don’t have the resources to hire a certified public accountant or attorney, Urquidez said.

Continue reading →

Perspective as Important as Persistence When Running a Business

Posted on by
By Finance New Mexico

By Finance New Mexico

Business leaders are a hardy breed, loath to admit trouble and express anything but optimism and confidence. This tough façade is handy when applying for loans, seeking investment capital and competing in the rough and tumble marketplace.

But it’s hard to maintain when customers are drifting away, employees are quitting, cash flow is falling short and a new product is taking too long to reach market. It’s hard to stay externally cool when internal fears wear down nerves and mental stability.

Continue reading →

Facility Tours Highlight New Mexico Manufacturers

Posted on by
Claudia Serrano

By Claudia Serrano, Projects Coordinator, New Mexico MEP

The New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership will celebrate the state’s manufacturers on Oct. 4 by leading facility tours in Deming, Albuquerque and Farmington.

Manufacturing Day in New Mexico is part of an effort by MEP organizations nationwide to show the American public that many products are still proudly and efficiently “made in the U.S.A.”

Local legislators, their field agents, customers, vendors and members of the general public are expected to spend the day visiting several New Mexico businesses that fabricate products used in major domestic industries.  Continue reading →

Economic Gardening Cultivates Growing Albuquerque Business

Posted on by
By Dr. Beverlee J. McClure, president and CEO, Association of Commerce and Industry

By Dr. Beverlee J. McClure, president and CEO, Association of Commerce and Industry

RIEtech Global had reached a transitional stage with its high-precision motion control products when the Albuquerque company was chosen in 2012 to participate in a pilot program designed to help successful companies expand their reach and refine their business models for the next stage of growth.

The pilot program, called Economic Gardening and sponsored by the Association of Commerce and Industry, PNM and Lovelace Health System, was created by Chris Gibbons in Littleton, Colorado. The Edward Lowe Foundation scaled the program to be applied nationally. The program takes an intensive, interventionist approach to economic development by helping second-stage growth companies enhance job and revenue growth. This is different than focusing on startups or recruiting outside businesses.

Continue reading →

Collateral Support Program Helps New Mexico Businesses Leverage Loans

Posted on by

By Finance New Mexico with assistance from the New Mexico Finance Authority

Editors Note: This program is now administered by the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Find updated information about the Collateral Support Participation Program.

US_Treasury_07110005In 2011, New Mexico was authorized to receive $13.1 million from the U.S. Treasury Department as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative — a product of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

The funds are channeled to the Collateral Support Participation program administered by the New Mexico Finance Authority in collaboration with the New Mexico Economic Development Department. The program helps creditworthy small businesses leverage private lending when they can’t obtain the capital required to expand and create jobs. Continue reading →

Participation Loan

Posted on by

A participation loan allows a bank to transfer some of its risk to a third party, thereby either enabling the bank to make a loan it might not otherwise make or to provide better terms than it could offer on its own. Participating entities include government agencies such as the SBA and USDA, which purchase part of the loan. Participation loans are initiated by the bank, and each participation program has its own rules.