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
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
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
Bernina Sewing and Design
Surrounded by colorful fabrics and thread, Marsha Cowan, laughed when asked how her business was doing in today’s economy. “We’re making it,” she said. The fact is that the business has grown considerably during their eight years of operation. She and her husband, Izzy, work fulltime in their delightful Bernina Sewing and Design Center and they are able to employ 11 other people. Marsha admits that she is more interested in the sewing and design aspect of the business while h
Boujee on a Budget Bridal
Christina Starr founded Boujee on a Budget Bridal to offer high quality, affordable options for budget-conscious brides. Based in Albuquerque, they also have an online store and ship to all 50 states. Seeking to expand into a larger location in January 2024, she approached WESST for loan assistance. Initial consultations highlighted that Christina needed to focus on bookkeeping before she could access a loan. WESST helped her address her financial statements and connected h
#bowbymom
Sara LaMontine comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Sara watched her dad start a restaurant over 20 years ago and role model the examples of hard work and determination. In December of 2016, Sara began making bows for her daughter. Soon, people began commenting on how much they liked her bows and asked her to make bows for them. When she realized there was such a market, she began to formulate her business idea. On January 1, 2018 Sara started #bowbymom, which creates one of
Cell Phone Doctor
Cell Phone Doctor is a family-owned business serving the greater Gallup community and the Navajo Nation. Cell Phone Doctor sells new and factory refurbished phones and services all brands of cell phones and tablets. They sell several cell phone models, including iPhone, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Android and PlayStation, and Xbox gaming systems. Cell Phone Doctor can also network unlock phones and complete basic repairs on phones, tablets, computers, and game systems. The WESST F
Color Wheel Toys
Color Wheel Toys is a pop-up toy store that opens seasonally for the holidays. They sell creative toys, craft supplies, bulk Lego bricks and other fun items designed to encourage imagination, learning and exploration. Owner Keri Piehl first started Color Wheel Toys in 2017, primarily as a way to encourage parents and children to explore fun, colorful and unusual toys as an alternative to licensed toys and electronics. Keri also wanted a way to offer families art supplies and
Dara's Upholstery
Dara initially came to WESST back in August 2021 to consider applying for a loan, relocated soon after, and returned both to Roswell and WESST in 2024. She needed help in growing her upholstery business, Dara’s Upholster & Drapes, in the Roswell community and also knew that she needed business management and marketing help. “I learned how to dismantle furniture and some rebuilding techniques, but I had to teach myself the skill of upholstering the furniture. I started my bus