Tag Archives: WESST

Small Business Loan is Most Recent Help for Gallup Family Business

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Robert Slover leaned on the WESST Farmington Women’s Business Center for extensive one-on-one consultation sessions in the early days of his cell phone repair business. Cell Phone Doctor sells new and factory-refurbished phones, including iPhone, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and Android, and it services all brands of cell phones and tablets. The business also sells PlayStation and Xbox gaming systems and can network unlock phones. When the Gallup business was ready to expand, Stover turned to WESST again, this time for a small business loan.

Slover’s relationship with WESST initially focused on cash flow and financial planning. Soon after, Slover worked with consultant and trainer Holly Patterson to understand how to use digital marketing tools to improve his social media postings. Help with marketing strategies aimed at growing his target markets was next.

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Two Events for Women Entrepreneurs

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The business development organization WESST is collaborating with New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP) to offer two events specifically geared for female business owners and women entrepreneurs. Visit WESST on October 25 to hear from three extraordinary women about how they built their businesses, and join the Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion online on October 30 to learn about resources for women entrepreneurs. Both events are part of Manufacturing Day activities in New Mexico.

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Mfg Day Supports Manufacturing Companies

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October 4 is National Manufacturing Day 2024, and this year’s theme underscores the mission of this annual celebration. “See Yourself in Manufacturing” encourages students to envision well-paying careers that now include technology, design, AI, and boundless creativity. Mfg Day is celebrated the entire month of October in New Mexico, and while events are largely geared toward students, there is plenty for manufacturers and businesses with employees.

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Small Business Training Series

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The nonprofit lender and small-business training organization WESST is collaborating with the Sandoval Economic Alliance and the New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) to offer a six-part training series designed to empower business owners and entrepreneurs in key areas of their business development.

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New to Loans? This Will Help

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The nonprofit business development organization WESST is offering a workshop to introduce small business owners and entrepreneurs to its lending program, which includes SBA loans. Participants will learn about the 5 C’s of credit as they pertain to the lending industry in general vs how WESST determines loans. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the next steps.

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WESST Offers Financial Literacy Training

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The nonprofit economic development organization WESST is now offering financial literacy training through its Money Learning Lab. The lab brings small business makers, doers and dreamers together to access tools that will help build their business.

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WESST Named NM Microlender of the Year

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The small business development organization WESST was named the 2024 Small Business Administration’s New Mexico Microlender of the Year. The award was bestowed on May 1, 2024 at the SBA New Mexico Small Business Awards Breakfast. The SBA celebrates National Small Business Week by honoring outstanding entrepreneurs and resource providers while putting a spotlight on the people who run the 33 million small businesses in the country.

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WESST Helps Clients Help Others

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Brenda Ramos Almeida helped her husband start J&B Gardens while working full time as an office manager for another contractor. In 2019, she turned to WESST, a nonprofit business development organization, for one-on-one counseling and workshops to help her manage the Northern New Mexico landscaping business as she maintained the company’s books. It wasn’t long before she spotted a need and decided to start a service to assist others with bookkeeping and acquiring permits and applications for their own small businesses.

Libelula Financial focuses on the Spanish-speaking small business community. Being bilingual, Ramos Almeida knew she could provide customers with the highest quality of service in both Spanish and English, offering bookkeeping and general business assistance.

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Growth Unlimited for Production Sewing Company

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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.”

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