STORIES OF IMPACT

At WESST, we believe the heart of our mission is best told through the journeys of the entrepreneurs we serve. In our Client Stories section, you’ll find inspiring accounts of New Mexican business owners—at every stage of their ventures—who have been transformed through WESST’s consulting, training, lending, and incubation support. These stories highlight how we partner with clients to turn ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses, showing the real impact of guidance, financial tools, and persistence.

From wellness centers, retail brands, and service businesses to manufacturing and tech enterprises, each narrative underscores how tailored resources, mentorship, and belief in their vision helped these founders overcome obstacles, build confidence, and grow with purpose.

A group of six people standing at the storefront for Reloved Ineriors, smiling and celebrating a grand opening

Reloved Interiors

Albuquerque, NM Carleen connected with WESST in August 2025 after hearing about our organization. She was in the early stages of starting her business, Reloved Interiors, and looking for guidance on how to get started. She didn’t know where to begin, but she worked WESST to register her LLC with the NM Secretary of State and NM Taxation and Revenue for Gross Receipts Tax. Carleen began to learn and understand the ins and outs of compliance regulations and obtained her Albuque

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Pieced by Lane

Aztec, NM 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 becom

CREATIVE ARTS

Sandia Pet Products

Albuquerque, NM When Veronica Fuller’s former boss was selling her wholesale product business, Sandia Pet Products, she came to WESST after a referral from a friend to explore her options. At the time, she didn’t have the funds to purchase the business, but through consulting and training, WESST and Veronica worked together to realize her path to entrepreneurship. Veronica’s main challenge was accessing the capital she needed to purchase the purchase. Through WESST, she rec

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Ebenezer Hats

Alamogordo, NM Chelsea Hayes, founder and owner of Ebenezer Hats, was working with Trish Livingston, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at New Mexico State University Alamogordo on her business when Trish recommended connecting with WESST. Chelsea began collaborating with Humberto on her business venture, and this recommendation opened up valuable opportunities for guidance and support. " WESST helped me refine my approach and take the next steps in grow

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Surprise Balloons

Hobbs, NM In 2023, Elia Gonzalez learned about WESST through Sergio Polanco, the President of the Hobbs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She became familiar with WESST’s services and how they could potentially help promote what was, at the time, her project. She attended a WESST training, decided to start her small business, and that ‘project’ became Surprise Balloons. One of the main obstacles Elia faced was how to get started. She had the knowledge and skills but did not kn

CREATIVE ARTS

Ii’ni Marketplace

Tohatchi, NM As Laris Manuelito began planning for her business, Ii’ni Marketplace, the biggest obstacle she encountered was securing funding for start-up businesses. She didn’t have collateral or prior business experience. Laris connected with the WESST Farmington office and learned about Native Women Rising, a special initiative focused on serving Native entrepreneurs. Laris, a Diné woman and a U.S. Army veteran, found there was a noticeable lack of dedicated support for

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Andino Mini Market

Santa Fe, NM Gina Auz needed assistance with a start-up business and learned about WESST from the City of Santa Fe Economic Department. She has always considered herself an entrepreneur, but because she is a mother of five who also worked full time, she wasn’t able to dedicate the time she initially wanted or needed to follow her dream. This changed when she was encouraged to reach out to WESST. When she was told about WESST, Gina learned we had bilingual staff who would be

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De La Rose Flowers

Hobbs, NM In 2023, Marisol Chaves Salcido was working as a server at a restaurant in Jal, New Mexico, spending her evenings and weekends on floral designs. Despite having no formal training, Marisol, a self-taught floral artist, developed her skills working alongside her mother. It was clear she had a unique talent for creating beautiful and heartfelt floral arrangements. Her former employer suggested she meet with WESST, and she soon began discussing her dreams of starting

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Accent Flowers

Roswell, NM Suzie Fresquez has never shied away from hard work! Suzie originally was hired to do a job at a floral shop; however, as she worked to gain experience, she honed her skills and realized she had a real talent and a passion for floral design and the floral business. Suzie worked for the business owners for four years. Recognizing she was more than just an employee, and it was her true calling, the owners offered their business to Suzie when it was their time to move

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