WESST Client Profiles

AGA Smör is a Santa Fe, New Mexico-based business with Swedish influence making artisanal seasoned butters with goal of enhancing meals and simplifying the daily cooking experience. Anika’s entrepreneurial journey began with her then two-year-old daughter, who was deep in the life-changing moment of experiencing solid foods. Wanting to create more flavorful and easier options for parents, the idea of flavored butter was born. 

There was a steep learning curve getting into the food business. Anika had to gain a manufacturer’s permit, which was an arduous process, and she had difficulty finding sustainable packaging options. She invested her own money, which eventually ran out, and she faced challenges many start-up businesses face, with planning and time management, all while trying to work a full-time job. 

Some solutions came with persistence, and a lot of help came from WESST Santa Fe, where she met Patty Sipe. Anika credits Patty with helping her obtain a business loan, allowing her to have the financial capability to move forward. Applying for a loan with WESST required her to get her financials in order and plan for feasibility and get her ducks in a row. The loan was vital to make her dream possible, but the sky is the limit.