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WESST Helps a Santa Fe Small Business Flourish

Santa Fe New Mexican, December 13, 2011

Ron Midgett opened New Earth Orchids out of a greenhouse in September 2010. A little over a year later, his orchid business is thriving. How has he been able to turn a profit during one of the nation’s worst economic downturns that has hit many New Mexico businesses particularly hard? Midgett attributes much of his company’s success to the assistance he received from various local economic development organizations.

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WESST Helps Artisans Get the Price Right

Finance New Mexico, December 4, 2011

Many small-scale artist-entrepreneurs never consider the underlying costs of getting their product or service to market. In this article, Kim Blueher, WESST’s Director of Lending, explains how WESST works with small-scale producers to help them add up the true costs of doing business and why understanding the pricing model of a business is one of the best investments a business owner can make.

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WESST Receives Federal Grants and a Loan for Small Businesses and Community Development

NM Business Weekly, October 26, 2011

USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner and USDA Rural Housing Administrator announced today that WESST will receive two grants and a loan from USDA Rural Development totaling more than $675,000 for the development of business opportunities in rural New Mexico.

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CNN Money Profiles the WESST Enterprise Center in Albuquerque as one of “7 Hot Startup Incubators”

CNN Money, October 6, 2011

Business incubators provide fledgling startups with training, counseling, facilities, office space and access to funding. Here, CNN Money profiles “7 Hot Startup Incubators” — and the WESST Enterprise Center gets top billing.

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Women’s History Month Honors Four Unsung Heroes

Roswell Daily Record, March 6, 2011

Four local women were honored at the 12th annual Roswell Women’s History Month Celebration brunch at the Roswell Musuem and Art Center, Saturday morning.

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Start-up Resources Abound for Entrepreneurial Women at WESST

Local IQ, February 24, 2011

New Mexico agency helps women-owned firms chart path to success with training, resources and essential support.

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Business appreciates the informal camaraderie that comes from working around other incubator businesses at WESST

New Mexico Business Weekly, January 14, 2011

WESST Enterprise Center provides support and resources that help accelerate growth during the start-up phase and encourage long-term success.

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Classes, funding help to nourish Make My Lunch

New Mexico Business Weekly, January 7, 2011

Financial Literacy Program offered by WESST helps nourish local catering business.

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WESST Receives Best Places to Work Recognition

New Mexico Business Weekly, December 2, 2010

WESST was among the companies honored by the New Mexico Business Weekly for creating enjoyable workplaces and satisfied employees at its annual “Best Places to Work” awards breakfast.

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WESST Ready to Celebrate 21st Birthday With a Big Bash

The Albuquerque Journal Online, November 8,2010

WESST is having a coming-of-age moment this week. The nonprofit that helps business start and grow is celebrating its 21st birthday with a big bash Wednesday in an event that includes speakers, music, door prizes, food, birthday cake — and, of course, wine and a champagne toast.

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Allstate bestows $25,000 on WESST

New Mexico Business Weekly, Monday, September 27, 2010

The Allstate Foundation is giving WESST $25,000 for its individual development account program.

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Four WESST Clients Honored Among 25 Small Biz Heavyweights

New Mexico Business Weekly, Thursday, July 22, 2010

The New Mexico Business Weekly honored 25 outstanding small companies at its first-ever Small Business Heavyweights awards celebration Thursday morning.

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Mentors Help Women Business Owners Reach Their Goal

New Mexico Business Weekly, June 25, 2010

Launching a small business can be exhilarating, but also terrifying. Women business owners say their mentors have pushed them to take plans off the shelf and make them reality, to believe in their own abilities and to take risks. Many say their mentors have been a crucial catalyst for their success.

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How to Finance A Growing Business

The Wall Street Journal Online, June 13, 2010

This article shares the various financing options available to small businesses, starting with the easiest (lines of credit) to the more difficult (sizable bank loans) to secure when your business is beyond the start-up phase.

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Silver LEED Certification With the Use of Indoor Plants

Living Walls and Vertical Gardens blog, June 2, 2010

Read about how WESST earned Silver LEED certification (a third party rating system offered through the U.S. Green Building Council) for its use of indoor plants as a unique air filtration system.

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WESST receives $15,000 IDA Grant from Allstate Foundation

PR Newswire, December 7, 2009

The Allstate Foundation awarded a $15,000 IDA Grant to help WESST continue its financial literacy and IDA program that benefits low income residence of New Mexico.

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WESST Receives Best Places to Work Recognition

New Mexico Business Weekly, December 3, 2009

WESST was among the companies honored by the New Mexico Business Weekly for creating enjoyable workplaces and satisfied employees at its annual “Best Places to Work” awards breakfast.

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WESST Executive Director Agnes Noonan Honored as Top Performing CEO

New Mexico Business Weekly, October 29, 2009

WESST Executive Director, Agnes Noonan was honored as a Top Performing CEO by the New Mexico Business Weekly.

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WESST to Receive $500,000 to Increase Affordable Lending Access

From the website of U.S. Senator Tob Udall, October 1, 2009

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall today announced Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST) in Albuquerque will receive $500,000 to provide access to affordable lending for low-income New Mexicans. The money is part of the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program through the U.S. Treasury Department.

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Strong Strategy for a Weak Economy

Finance New Mexico, September 9, 2009

As companies search for the most efficient ways to spend limited marketing resources in a weak economy, more and more are turning to SEO as an affordable alternative to traditional marketing.

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WESST Lands $55K Distance Learning Grant

New Mexico Business Weekly, August 11, 2009

Residents in rural areas of New Mexico will be able to access WESST’s business training programs more easily, thanks to a grant from The Aspen Foundation.

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WESST Receives $800,000 For Its Small Business Incubator

New Mexico Business Weekly, July 24, 2009

WESST has landed an $800,000 federal grant for its new business incubator in Albuquerque.

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WESST Employee/Client Gets Invited to the Green Inaugural Ball

The Wall Street Journal Online, January 12,2009

Nancy Judd’s latest ‘trashion’ couture collection, “Campaign for Change,” which was fashioned from discarded Obama campaign materials, has caught the eye of environmentalists, who plan to showcase her clothing at the Green Inaugural Ball.

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