Business owners interested in selling products or services to the government should attend the Government Contract Business Expo from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on February 27, 2024, at the Las Cruces Convention Center.
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You Don’t Have to be a Skier to Learn from the Ski Lift Pitch
Entrepreneurs and investors come together on February 5 and 6 in Taos during the Ski Lift Pitch, a pitchfest event designed to introduce New Mexico high-growth startups to equity investors. Pitch companies were selected in early January from submitted applications, but startup founders are encouraged to attend as observers to learn what goes into a successful pitch.
Continue readingFree Access to ASCEND2.0 Educational Videos
Interested in learning about intellectual property? Or maybe you’re ready to start a new technology business and aren’t sure how. These topics and more are now accessible on the ASCEND2.0 website. ASCEND2.0 is a collaboration of entrepreneurs, funders, and educators to help technology startups gain traction.
Continue readingNMSBA Program Accepting Applications for Leveraged Projects
The NMSBA program allows Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories to apply their unique expertise and capabilities to help for-profit, New Mexico small businesses solve critical challenges. Technical assistance is provided at no cost to the businesses and is rendered in the form of laboratory staff time and incidental materials.
Continue readingNew Owners Put Silver City Tile Company on Path for Growth
Within two years of purchasing Syzygy Tile Works in Silver City, Josh and Carolyn White knew they needed to expand the business to meet national and international demand for their high-end, handcrafted ceramic tiles.
Josh had worked for the company for 16 years before the previous owner retired, and he quickly made improvements to shorten production times. But with employees needing as much as three years to fully learn their craft, customers were waiting four to five months for product delivery.
The Whites knew this was an unsustainable interval. In 2020, they contacted the state Economic Development Department to ask what resources were available to small manufacturers. They were referred to New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP), a nonprofit dedicated to helping small manufacturers streamline production and become more competitive.
Continue readingAdaptation and Skills Sustain Farmington Machine Shop
Founded in 1980 by Ivan Clay and Ellis Groomer, Clay Groomer Machine Shop (CGMS) has fulfilled the San Juan Basin’s machining needs by producing quality work in a safe and timely manner. Their success has been a result of always going above and beyond customers’ expectations.
Clay Groomer historically provided on-site and mobile machining, mechanical and welding to oil, gas and industrial sites, including the Four Corners Generating Station and Navajo Mine. CGMS has since expanded the company vision to include things such as, but not limited to, selling pumps manufactured by Weir Minerals and industrial mixers made by Ekato. In addition, CGMS takes great pride in being the only authorized New Mexico distributor of air starters made by TDI. CGMS has ensured employees have been trained and certified by each manufacturer – with some workers traveling as far as Germany for training. Clay Groomer Machine Shop is able to offer manufacturers’ warranties on service work, including complete product rebuilds.
How they got here
In 2012, Clay’s son, also named Ivan, and Groomer’s grandson, Joe Warren, took over the business. It was a time when industry and the economy in the Four Corners area were rapidly changing.
Continue readingPatent Legal Assistance – for Free
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.
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 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.
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