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)…
Money Matters: Financial Empowerment Through Knowledge & Tools
Why does financial empowerment matter? For some, finances can be a thrilling and exciting part of owning a business and/or living everyday life. But let’s be honest, only a few feel that way. For most,…
Thank You for Supporting WESST, Sunny505!
If you’ve ever received an annual report from WESST or visited our website, you’ve probably noticed the beautiful, compelling designs that characterize WESST’s brand. More recently, you might have seen WESST on television! Across the…
Funding Challenges for Female Entrepreneurs
Four out of every ten businesses – totaling over 12 million in the U.S. – are owned by women, and the number of women-owned businesses has increased 114% over the past two decades. In fact,…
What is an Entrepreneur?
What makes someone an entrepreneur? Am I an entrepreneur? Are you an entrepreneur? Do I know any entrepreneurs? The word “entrepreneur” seems to be thrown around everywhere, describing everyone, doing anything. It’s used to describe…
Wells Fargo “La Escalera” Grant Supports Spanish-speaking Entrepreneurs
It is well-documented that COVID-19 and the resulting economic fallout have disproportionately harmed Latino and Black-owned businesses. WESST’s focus on supporting historically underserved entrepreneurs, including women, people of color and people who earn low incomes,…
Staff Spotlight: Adriana Martinez Guzman
Adriana joined the WESST team in September 2021. We are happy to have her as part of the WESST family and hope you enjoy learning a little more about her. What made you want to…
“Kentuckian by birth, New Mexican by the Grace of God” A Conversation with Kathie Winograd
WESST’s work is made possible thanks to the support from our generous donors and community leaders. Kathie Winograd, CNM President of 13 years, new Executive Director of Albuquerque Economic Forum, and WESST Visionary, is both!…
Staff Spotlight: Katie Knipe
For this month’s blog, we decided to switch things up a little and do another staff spotlight in order to introduce you to Katie Knipe, our VP of Development. Prior to joining WESST, Katie was…
Orange Shirt Day – A Time For Healing, A Time To Share Knowledge
Orange Shirt Day (which is also known as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation) September 30th is a day to honor the Indigenous children who were forcibly taken away from their families through the…
Boosting Hispanic Entrepreneurs During National Hispanic Heritage Month
During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15- October 15), we honor the achievements of Hispanics across the United States. It’s the perfect time to celebrate Latino small business owners’ contributions to New Mexico’s economy and…
11 Ways to Grow Your Small Business and Celebrate During National Small Business Week
From September 13 – 15, we salute National Small Business Week, a time to celebrate and appreciate the entrepreneurs and small businesses that keep our economic engine purring! WESST once again would like to focus…
WESST Receives $200,000 SBA Women’s Business Center Resiliency and Recovery Demonstration Grant
The U.S. Small Business Administration issued 14 grant awards of up to $200,000 each to organizations in 13 states as part of the Women’s Business Centers (WBC) Resiliency and Recovery Demonstration Grant under the SBA’s…