Pieced by Lane
- Mar 25
- 1 min read
Rhonda first learned about WESST through a promotional flyer and was immediately interested in our Native Women Rising (NWR) program. She attended an orientation in October 2023, and at the time, she was looking for opportunities to turn her art into a sustainable business, and she wanted to connect with other Native entrepreneurs.
One of the main obstacles Rhonda faced in starting and growing her business was learning how to transition from being an artist to becoming a business owner. She had the creative skills and passion for silversmithing, but she quickly realized that building a sustainable business required another set of knowledge: pricing, marketing, financial planning, and long-term strategy. “Navigating those areas on my own felt overwhelming at times, but now, I feel like the guidance from the WESST Farmington team has led me in the right direction,” says Rhonda.
WESST helped Rhonda shift from treating her craft as a hobby to operating as a business. Through the NWR program, she gained practical tools around business planning, financial organization, and goal setting. She began looking at her numbers more closely, evaluating her sales channels, and making intentional decisions on where to shift her focus. Rhonda credits the individual consultations with helping her narrow down business strategies that worked for her.
Participating in WESST’s Native Women Rising program was a pivotal step in growing my business. As a Navajo silversmith, I not only gained tools in business planning and financial organization, but also confidence and community. WESST’s support helped me move from simply creating jewelry to intentionally building a sustainable brand rooted in culture and purpose.
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