A Small Business Line of Credit from WESST Is Helping Ground Floor Build a Strong Foundation for Growth. When Matt Kreitman and Robbie Lipworth opened Ground Floor LLC in July of 2007, they had no reason to anticipate the storm that would soon engulf the national property market. Fortunately, their business strategy – by necessity [...]

Rochelle Williams not only stands out in the male-dominated construction industry, her dedicated work ethic has driven Construction Reporter to thrive during the recession. The only locally owned-and-operated business of its kind in New Mexico, the company publishes an online bid calendar that covers public and private commercial construction projects out for bid in New Mexico and surrounding areas.

Medical Practice Solutions offers medical billing and credentialing services to health care providers. The firm currently employs 18 people and has experienced consistent growth in its 18 months of operation, adding one or two new clients each month.

Juanita Finger is a talented artist-entrepreneur who hopes to one day have the craft of bead weaving recognized as a legitimate art form. She came to WESST in 2010 seeking assistance with marketing, website development, and sales techniques to help her grow her startup bead weaving business, Tokay Beaded Art.

When Silvia Terrazas first came to this country, her driving entrepreneurial desire kept her focused while she tackled two major barriers: 1) She spoke only Spanish; and 2) Her son was born with one foot which required new prosthesis’s as he grew. Regardless of the adversity she faced, Silvia’s strength and tenacity were instrumental in helping meet business goals.

In 2007, Nancy started Recycle Runway, an environmental education entity that uses fabulous couture garments that Nancy creates from recycled “stuff” to capture the attention of people worldwide. As she has advanced her mission, she has encountered numerous challenges that would daunt the energies and focus of the most seasoned professionals.

Yet, Nancy remains steadfast in her commitment to succeed – as an educator, as an artist and as an entrepreneur.

Artist-entrepreneur Agnes Chavez came to WESST in 1996 hoping that a little marketing guidance could take her art business to the next level. That same year, the emotional rewards and tangible results that she was experiencing from teaching young children Spanish helped her realize how she could combine her love for art and language into a marketable, viable business: teaching Spanish to children through art, music and games. She called her new business, Sube, which means “rise” or “ascend” in Spanish. That’s exactly what Chavez has been doing with her business ever since.

For Diane Holloway, reaching a low point gave her the momentum to leap from pastry chef to successful entrepreneur. She moved quickly from no job prospects to using a $5,000 SBA microloan from WESST to grow a trio of eateries. Now, Holloway’s sought-after destinations sit within a single city block in Silver City, New Mexico: Diane’s Bakery & Deli, Diane’s Restaurant, and The Parlor.

Organic skin products may seem like a relatively new concept in the ever-growing “green” market place, but Krysia Boinis and Greg Martin have been in the business since 1996. The roots of this organic skin care manufacturing company began with Krysia making candles in her garage. That process evolved into Krysia forming a line of private-label, hot-pour skin care products. Krysia could see a niche sprouting in the natural cosmetic industry and wanted to enter the market.

As a therapist working with adults with developmental disabilities, Matt Poel was often frustrated by the limitations he saw imposed on his clients by the agencies that provided their residential care.

“It was so restrictive,” says Poel, 34, who admits to being a long-time champion of the underdog. “I kept thinking, `Just let them try it! Who cares?’”

Jeanette and Martin Candelaria are growing a profitable and successful business in an industry where many companies are struggling. Their combination of extremely high quality printing and mailing services along with a positive attitude and flexible customer service keep the customers and jobs flowing.