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WESST Assists Refugees in Becoming Entrepreneurs
New Mexico Business Weekly, April 27- May 3, 2012 –
When Victor and Lazara Reyes, political refugees from Cuba, arrived in Albuqerque in 1995 they soon realized that there was no locally-based distribution company for Latin American foods. The couple tapped into a federal microenterprise program via WESST that assists people designated as refugees. Loans from the program helped Victor and Lazara launch Latin Distribution, a company that hit more than $2 million in sales in 2010.
WESST Enterprise Center Starts Construction on Digital Media Studio
New Mexico Business Weekly, March 30, 2012 –
That will change when the WESST Enterprise Center opens its digital media studio this summer. Construction has begun on the 1,000-square-foot studio, thanks to a grant from Comcast, and support from the federal Economic Development Administration, the state, city and private supporters of WESST. Comcast is contributing $200,000 for capital improvements and equipment and $200,000 for in-kind use of its airwaves, said Doug Lee, Managing Director of the WESST Enterprise Center business incubator in downtown Albuquerque.
Taking a New Look at Your Business: WESST Campaign Geared Toward Women
Las Cruces Bulletin, March 30, 2012 –
March is Women’s History Month, a fitting time for WESST to kick off its newest campaign, “Invest in Yourself and Your Business.” (WESST, which originated as a small business resource for women, has since opened its services to everyone.) “We believe networking is very important, especially for women, so we have planned monthly networking meetings, as well as a series of classes to help people in all areas of their business,” said Jennifer Craig, WESST’s Regional Manager.
Video Studio to Connect Businesses to Resources
Finance New Mexico, March 25, 2012 –
A digital media studio that opens soon at the 3-year-old WESST Enterprise Center business incubator in downtown Albuquerque will provide more resources to entrepreneurs and small businesses in New Mexico.
Women’s History Brunch Honors Four
Roswell Daily Record, March 25, 2012 –
The 13th annual Women’s History Month celebration brunch, sponsored by WESST, was held Saturday at the Roswell Museum and Art Center where participants recognized achievements of women throughout the generations, and honored the local contributions of Barbara Gomez, Deborah Goluska, Diane Whetsel and Sage the rescue dog.
WESST Helps a Santa Fe Landscape Business Get Off the Ground
Santa Fe New Mexican, February 20, 2012 –
Christie Green is a Santa Fe entrepreneur who developed her business as a landscape designer with the assistance of WESST and other small businesses assistance programs including a government-backed, no-interest loan from Century Bank. According to Green, Studio Succession is a “collaborative design, development and consulting firm, with a slow, integrated approach to the landscape.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
WESST has been with me from the beginning of my business, through the good times and the lean, always partnering with me for my success. They are real people who really care. I will continue to recommend them to all my business clients for Marketing, SEO, small business loans as well as good, solid, smart 
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