El Coco Pirata LLC
Jorge and Carmen Cruz Garza are the proud owners of El Coco Pirata LLC, a unique culinary gem in the heart of Roswell. The now-franchise owners’ journey began several years ago, when they were inspired by their love of food and desire to bring something new to their community. The Cruz Garza family encountered hurdles along the way, from complex licensing requirements and financial restraints to leasing an adequate building.  Dedicated and determined, they kept going and re
Flauteria Los Borrachos, LLC
Flauteria Los Borrachos, LLC is a food truck business born during the pandemic, located in the South Valley area of Albuquerque, NM. Their specialty is flautas ciudad Juárez style and other Mexican dishes. Carmen has always been interested in being her own boss. Prior to the pandemic, she operated Hamiel Bridals, an event center and dress shop for special events, including weddings and Quinceañeras. Because of the pandemic, she was forced to shut down her business as no event
The Magic Cookery & Naples Drizzle
The Magic Cookery offers a full-service professional commissary kitchen for food service providers. Designed with the client in mind, The Magic Cookery is fully registered and compliant with the FDA. In addition to kitchen services, they offer packaging and bottling facilities. Additionally, The Magic Cookery is home to Naples Drizzle their original manufacturing brand. Naples Drizzle is a line of hot sauces that include their best selling namesake Italian hot sauce. Cheryl C
Mi Casita Restaurant
Noelia and Miguel Saens come from a long line of entrepreneurs. Several family members are experienced restaurateurs or have been involved in their family restaurant business. For eight years, Noelia and Miguel worked for her uncle’s full-service restaurant. They learned all they could, and when they felt they were ready, and had her uncle’s blessing, they started their own restaurant. They began researching the requirements necessary to open a restaurant, such as acquiring a
Nini's Produce, Foods, and Crafts LLC
Jeannie Benally, owner of Nini’s Produce, Foods, and Crafts LLC, is a farmer living in the rural community of Fruitland, NM. Through training and consulting with our WESST Farmington WBC, she has learned how to profit from her produce by diversifying and expanding her products and actively participating in local markets. Jeannie sells traditional vegetables and crafts from her produce to sell during the off-season. Roasting and selling local pumpkin seeds has proven to be a f
Paleteria La Reyna Michoacana
Silvia Terrazas first heard about WESST through word of mouth back in 1999. She was getting ready to open her first business, a Spanish-language video rental store. In 2000, Silvia received a $1,500 loan from WESST for her grand opening. Fast forward 25 years, and Silvia has continued to work with WESST and is now preparing for her second grand opening of her food truck. After receiving her initial loan, Silvia continued attending WESST workshops, learning how to write a bu
Paleteria Michoacana El Paraiso
Veronica Machorro and Simon Luna, husband and wife, own Paleteria Michoacana El ParaÃso. They sell paletas (popsicles) in a wide range of delicious flavors, from light and fruity to creamy with a bit of spice. They also sell sandwiches, fruits and desserts. Veronica and Simon used to work for Simon’s brother who owns a dulceria. They noticed that many people came there to buy their ingredients to make paletas. Veronica and Simon have always wanted to own their own business, s
Peter Piper Pizza Franchise
Daniel Sedillo had been working at Peter Piper Pizza store in Roswell, NM since he was sixteen years old. He had managed the store for five years. After all the hard years of learning, Daniel was given an opportunity of a lifetime. The owner of the franchise wanted to sell the Roswell, New Mexico location and extended the invitation to Daniel to buy and own the store outright. Financing was the most difficult part of the acquisition. After numerous attempts with different ban
Pioche Food Group
Pioche Food Group is a Native-owned and operated small food service business in Farmington, NM. Justin Pioche is an Ashihii Dine’ born for the Bit’ahnii people and he owns Pioche Food Group in partnership with his sister Tia Pioche. At an early age, his first experience of amazing food came from his grandmother Lorene. With a simple piece of hot frybread and pea soup made from fresh produce planted in her garden, he was hooked. During his senior year in high school, he plac