WESST BLOG
WESST Named 2024 SBA New Mexico Microlender of the Year
We are thrilled to announce that WESST was named the winner of the 2024 SBA New Mexico Microlender of the Year award! Our Lending Team includes Sandro Tonini (VP of Lending), Melissa Williams (Loan Operations Officer), Teresa Rodriguez (Bilingual Loan Assistant), Adriana Martínez Guzmán (Special Programs Manager), and Humberto Hijar (Financial Capability Consultant). Their passion for service and tireless dedication to our clients is the reason we received this recognition. We are so proud of our amazing team and feel honored to receive this award! For over 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)…
WESST Pop-up Shop Spotlight: Rio Refills
After a two-year hiatus, WESST is excited to host the 5th annual pop-up shop (Oct. 14th 11a-4p, 609 Broadway Blvd NE) where you can shop locally and find unique Made in New Mexico products and…
WESST Pop-Up Shop Spotlight: TinCan Fabric and Textile
After a two-year hiatus, WESST is excited to host the 5th annual pop-up shop (Oct. 14th 11a-4p, 609 Broadway Blvd NE) where you can shop locally and find unique Made in New Mexico products and…
WESST Pop-Up Shop Vendor Spotlight: Kokopelli Design Studio
After a two-year hiatus, WESST is excited to host the 5th annual pop-up shop (Oct. 14th 11a-4p, 609 Broadway Blvd NE) where you can shop locally and find unique Made in New Mexico products and…
WESST Pop-Up Shop Vendor Spotlight: Worthington Farms
After a two-year hiatus, WESST is excited to host the 5th annual pop-up shop (Oct. 14th 11a-4p, 609 Broadway Blvd NE) where you can shop locally and find unique Made in New Mexico products and…
Fuel Cost-Saving Tips for Small Businesses
The high price of fuel is creating rising prices for all kinds of goods and services as businesses struggle to cover their costs. Small businesses that use vehicles as part of their daily operations will…
LaDonna Hopkins: A Fond Remembrance
A Fond Farewell I first met LaDonna Hopkins at a community event in 2008. I was immediately struck by how focused she was on me as we stood and talked in the middle of a…
“Leadership IS the Difference” – A Conversation with Bettye Pressley
One of my favorite aspects of working at WESST is getting to know our supporters who make this work possible. I’ve especially enjoyed getting to know Bettye Pressley through our regular phone calls. Bettye always…
Celebrating WESST Clients at Happy ½ Hours
In-person gatherings are back, but virtual gatherings are here to stay! WESST is pleased to have hosted two of our virtual “Happy ½ Hour” events in 2022, where we heard from our clients and showed…
Staff Spotlight: Tom Ragan
Tom joined the WESST team in October 2021 as the Studio Manager for the Comcast Digital Media Studio. We are happy to have him as part of the WESST family and hope you enjoy learning…
Are Your Employees Truly Engaged?
Global surveys indicate that many people are unhappy at work. In fact, it’s been estimated that over 70% of the workforce consists of passive job seekers. These people are not actively looking to leave their…
Ways to Support a Woman Owned Business
Go out of your way to shop at women owned businesses What is the best way to support women owned businesses? With your dollars. Businesses need customers to thrive and being intentional about where you…
The Trend Toward Solopreneurship
As home-based business ownership continues to trend upward in the U.S., Rio Rancho is certainly keeping pace. In fact, over 70 percent of the business registrations in Rio Rancho are for home-based businesses. This trend…