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)…
Announcing more new HOPE Loans!
WESST launched the HOPE Fund (Helping Open Possibilities for Everyone) in 2020, a “no barriers to accessing capital” approach for people of color and low-wealth New Mexicans. We’re proud to announce our second and third…
Announcing the Launch of Our New Website
We’re excited to announce that our new and refreshed website is live. The updated site includes easier navigation, with dropdown menus for both mobile and desktop versions. We’ve also improved the structure of our content,…
Our First HOPE Loan Fund Recipient – Breanna Tso
The HOPE Loan Fund: Helping Open Possibilities for Everyone A key contributor to economic inequality in the United States are the large and persistent racial and ethnic disparities found in business ownership and performance. Barriers…
Interview with James Lopez – WESST Donor and Owner of ABQ Apartment Movers
We are so grateful to WESST’s wonderful community of supporters, from our generous individual, foundation and corporate donors to our in-kind donors who support WESST with their time, talents, and services. James Lopez is a…
Looking to Start or Invest in a Business in an Opportunity Zone? Well, What are Opportunity Zones, Anyway?
Opportunity Zones are a new way to finance projects in underserved areas of our state’s cities, towns, and tribal areas. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 provides for the governor of each state…
BE INSPIRED: KOB 4 Hosts Digital Summit to Support Local Small Businesses
On December 9, WESST’s partners at KOB 4 hosted “BE INSPIRED to innovate and adapt your business,” a virtual event designed to inspire and uplift small business owners and provide some helpful takeaways to help…
Get Your Business Online or Expand Your Digital Presence
Digital Media Marketing – WEBSITES, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND E-COMMERCE with Empower by GoDaddy in partnership with AEO. As we have seen in our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, it is more and more…
Staff Spotlight: C. Sandro Tonini
In our last blog of 2020, we are delighted to introduce you to Sandro Tonini. Sandro came to WESST at the beginning of September as the new Bilingual Business Consultant and Trainer for Albuquerque, NM….
Join WESST on #GivingTuesday – December 1, 2020!
Small and micro-businesses (those with fewer than 20 employees) are essential components of New Mexico’s economy, representing 83% of all businesses. WESST’s business development services are an important part of the strategy to support economic…
Pivoting a Small Business During COVID-19
Small businesses make up an essential part of any economy; they are crucial in creating jobs and providing services and products that larger businesses sometimes cannot. Small businesses in New Mexico are no exception to…
National Women’s Small Business Month!
October is National Women’s Small Business Month, which means it’s time to celebrate women-owned businesses everywhere, as well as the outstanding progress female entrepreneurs have made over the years. Did you know that: Women own…
How To Make Remote Performance Reviews Work
One of the greatest challenges any small business faces is the effective delivery of employee feedback, and especially those periodic performance reviews. In the time of COVID-19 and its remote nature, many managers now find…