WESST PROGRAMS
WESST is a home to entrepreneurs providing a support system of consulting, training, incubation, and lending to help all New Mexicans start, strengthen, and grow their small businesses through sustainable business models, financial empowerment, and job creation.
TRAINING & CONSULTING
WESST offers training classes and workshops to help small business owners understand key aspects of finances, management, and marketing.
We provide industry-specific trainings, such as for childcare businesses, tailored to community needs. WESST also offers one-on-one consulting to support entrepreneurs from startup to expansion. Our experts guide clients in strategic planning, marketing, financial analysis, and business management.
LENDING
WESST is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and microlender, offering small business loans with accessible interest rates ranging from $500 to $150,000 to New Mexico entrepreneurs who may not meet the criteria for traditional bank loans.
WESST’s lending services are offered hand in hand with supportive services to ensure borrowers are growing sustainable businesses.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
CAPITAL READINESS PROGRAM
Entrepreneurship is a core American value, creating opportunities for individuals to pursue business ventures. Through the assistance of a grant from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), WESST's Capital Readiness Program aims to bridge gaps in entrepreneurial opportunities faced by New Mexican business owners.
​
PROGRAM PILLARS
-
Capacity Building: Technical assistance and curricula to build scalable, investable businesses.
-
Access to Capital: Support navigating State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs, government initiatives, investor meetings, and crowdfunding opportunities.
-
Access to Networks: Connections with mentors, coaches, and peers to address specific business challenges.
WHAT CRP OFFERS
-
Free one-on-one consulting and technical assistance
-
Training and educational workshops on business growth and capital readiness
-
Networking opportunities with peers, mentors, and industry experts
-
Support in accessing capital and understanding funding pathways
WHY IT MATTERS
-
Expands opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs
-
Strengthens small business ecosystems
​
For questions or more information about WESST's Capital Readiness Program,
please contact Marcela Mendoza at mmendoza-palacios@wesst.org.
SUCCESS STORY
CRP IN ACTION
"WESST has been essential in helping me manage my time, finances, and the quality of child care I provide. WESST took the time to carefully explain difficult concepts. Their guidance made complex financial topics much easier to understand and apply to my business."
Maria Granados, Owner
Bubble Dreams Learning Center Environment LLC
Las Cruces, NM
NATIVE WOMEN RISING
WESST's Native Women Rising program is dedicated to fostering financial self-sufficiency by empowering Native American and Indigenous entrepreneurs to explore, launch, and grow successful businesses.
​
WESST provides a clear, accessible path for both aspiring and current Native American business owners to stabilize and thrive.
BUSINESS TRAINING
We offer cohort-based training and workshops on vital business topics, including marketing, social media, pricing, bookkeeping, and business planning.
​
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
Participants benefit from one-on-one business consultations tailored to their specific needs and goals, as well as peer mentorship.
​
ACCESS TO RESOURCES
We connect entrepreneurs with crucial resources like capital, referrals, and financial education.
​
ACCESSIBILITY
Services are offered in-person and virtually to ensure maximum accessibility and impact.
Zachariah Ben
Navajo/Diné’é
Heather C. Gomez
Jicarilla Apache
Joseph Toledo
Jemez Pueblo
NATIVE WOMEN RISING IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY:
WESST recognizes the critical need for more child care and is actively working to build the supply of quality child care in New Mexico.
​
WESST offers its established expertise in consulting, training, incubation, and lending to help individuals start and grow sustainable child care businesses. WESST offers the following initiatives as part of its focus on supporting the child care industry:
CRECER​
CRECER stands for Capacity Resources for Enhancing Care, Excellence, and Resilience and means “to grow” in Spanish. CRECER is WESST’s child care initiative. It provides and leverages robust business development resources to increase the supply of high-quality licensed child care in New Mexico. With support from the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (NM ECECD), CRECER New Mexico provides numerous free resources.
​
CRECER programs and support efforts are focused on the following priorities:
-
Increase the Supply of Quality Childcare for Children Ages 0–5
We support the establishment and expansion of childcare businesses across New Mexico through targeted training and consulting focused on key financial and business management needs. Our lending program complements these services by providing childcare providers with access to the capital needed to start, expand, and strengthen their businesses.
-
Increase Quality Through the FOCUS System
Programs under CRECER, including child care accelerators, help childcare providers understand New Mexico’s FOCUS quality standards and navigate the steps needed to advance within the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
-
Increase Use of Child Care Subsidy
Child care accelerators help childcare providers understand and effectively utilize New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), increasing access to affordable, quality childcare for eligible low- to moderate-income working families while supporting provider financial sustainability.
CHILD CARE ACCELERATORS
WESST collaboratively hosts child care accelerators throughout the state that help increase the supply of quality child care for families and improve economic opportunities for caregivers. Our child care accelerators offer professional development, coaching, and expert support to grow high quality programs.
THE (Training Home Educators) New Mexico Accelerator is a child care business accelerator in collaboration between Growing Up New Mexico, WESST, and Partnership for Community Action (PCA). This six-month, bilingual program is for family and home educators throughout New Mexico. The Lea County Child Care Accelerator is a six-month virtual and in-person bilingual program for child care providers within Lea County.
2025 IMPACT
-
51 child care providers graduated from THE Accelerator
-
47% new providers​; 53% already licensed or registered providers
-
64% Spanish speakers; 37% English speakers
-
-
48% increased their revenue
-
41% are caring for more children
-
89% reported their caregiving is better
CHILD CARE
WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER
ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTING AND TRAINING DESIGNED TO HELP WOMEN BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT THROUGH SELF-EMPLOYEMENT.
WESST is proud to be a part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center Program by hosting a statewide network of Women’s Business Centers.
​
Through the management and technical assistance provided by Women’s Business Centers programs, entrepreneurs are offered comprehensive training and one-on-one consulting on a vast array of topics to help them start and grow their own businesses.
​
At WESST, we understand the unique challenges and needs of female entrepreneurs. Our Women’s Business Center’s programs are designed to be flexible and responsive to those special needs. We offer a variety of workshops designed to help aspiring and established women business owners succeed — many of which are scheduled during evening hours to accommodate busy daytime schedules. Topics can range from money management and Quickbooks training, to leveraging Facebook and writing an effective Business Plan.
​
Individual consulting appointments can be arranged to discuss a specific topic in depth, at a time that’s convenient to the client. While our Women’s Business Center Programs are geared to women they are open to anyone, at any stage of their business development.
​
For more information or to register for any of our Women’s Business Center training or networking events, check out our upcoming trainings.