The Albuquerque co-working organization FatPipe and the business development organization WESST want to help businesspeople become better leaders. FatPipe is offering a six-workshop series called “What type of leader are you?” and WESST’s Rio Rancho center will host virtually “Position Expectations,” a workshop to help business owners and managers provide clarity to employees and team members.
Continue readingTag Archives: New Mexico business
Regional Agencies Still Have Money to Lend
Money is still available through New Mexico’s regional Council of Governments (known as COGs) that created emergency loan funds during the height of the pandemic. The Working Now Revolving Loan Fund created by North Central New Mexico Economic Development District and the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) created by Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments continue to accept applications from small businesses in their service areas.
Continue readingTechnical Assistance Advisors Offer More Than a Loan
Matilda Scheurer purchased Teresa’s Tamales in January of 2021, and she did it with help from The Loan Fund, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). In addition to obtaining a loan to purchase the long-time Cleveland, New Mexico restaurant, Scheurer got access to a technical advisor she can call when she needs business advice, feedback, or an answer to a question.
Joaquin Amador is The Loan Fund’s Technical Assistance Advisor in the northern part of the state*. Based in Santa Fe, Amador helps provide loans and lines of credit to small businesses and nonprofits and then offers technical support to ensure those businesses thrive.
Amador is well-positioned to offer assistance. With more than 20 years of management and marketing experience ranging from tech startup to multibillion-dollar global businesses, he is equipped to offer advice on strategic issues like business improvements, as well tactical challenges such as online marketing and search engine optimization. Two advanced degrees – an MBA from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Science from the University of Chicago – give Amador a wide range of business knowledge he can share with The Loan Fund’s clients.
Continue readingSee First-Hand What VCs Look For
CNM Ingenuity is hosting its popular Ski Lift Pitch at Taos Ski Valley on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Startups have already been selected to pitch, but entrepreneurs can learn what venture capitalists look for in a fundable start-up by attending the event. Fund managers representing more than $300 million in investable capital from funds around the country are expected to attend.
Continue readingBlack Business Summit Kicks Off Black History Month
The City of Albuquerque, in collaboration with a multitude of partners, is kicking off Black History Month with a summit that aims to equip Black entrepreneurs and business owners with the resources to help their businesses grow. February is Black History Month, and the summit will take place February 7 and 8 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Continue readingStore Front Repair Program to Offer $2,500
The Las Cruces Bulletin has reported that eligible Las Cruces businesses may apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to help repair storefront property damage that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2021. According to the article, applications will be accepted starting Feb. 1, 2023, until the program funding runs out. The Las Cruces Economic Development Department will manage the program.
Continue readingGas Service Company Grows with Help from LiftFund
After years of working for a large corporation in the gas & propane industry, Randy Peralta decided to pursue his own entrepreneurial project that would allow him to draw on his experience and be his own boss. In 2021, Peralta launched Gas Register Specialty Services, known as GRS Services, a mobile gas meter calibration company. Peralta’s specialty business serves commercial clients from Lea to San Juan counties.
While 28 years of technical experience in the propane industry were imperative for the nature of work that GRS Services set out to offer, operating a sole proprietorship did not come without its challenges.
“Having experience in the propane industry did not necessarily prepare me to handle all of the business and operational aspects,” said Peralta, adding that while he learned a lot in the field during his years in the industry, financial reporting and project management were new to him. He also needed to attend what he calls ‘meter school’ to be able to legally calibrate both electronic and mechanical meters.
Continue readingSprints Propel Businesses Off the Starting Block
Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University is accepting applications for several upcoming business sprint programs. BizSprint Roswell, a 6-week business acceleration program for startups and existing businesses located in the city of Roswell, is accepting applications until the end of the day on February 6, 2023. AgSprint, another 6-week business acceleration program — this one for existing or aspiring agricultural businesses located anywhere in the state — is accepting applications until February 15. And Feb. 27 is the deadline for San Miguel County businesses to apply to join the BizSprint San Miguel cohort.
Continue readingAbq Sunport Looking for Vendors
According to a January 18 Albuquerque Journal article, the Albuquerque International Sunport is undergoing renovations that will make room for up to ten retail businesses and 16 concessions. Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and the airport authority plans to issue an RFP seeking retail vendors by the end of March 2023.
Continue readingSBA Looking for Rural, Women-Owned Businesses
Women-owned small business owners located in rural areas are invited to apply to join the US Small Business Administration’s free Ascent Rural program. Ascent offers group virtual learning sessions that provide a forum for program participants to meet with other women who have been selected for the upcoming Ascent cohort. The program is a combination of online self-guided learning using the Ascent platform, as well as group virtual sessions.
Continue reading