Fire of the Sandias
A recently retired nurse practitioner, Marsha Sours walked into her first WESST consultation in November 2023 saying, “tell me I’m crazy, but I have this idea.” Her idea was to start a candle bar in Albuquerque. She had visited one in Indianapolis and was inspired to bring something similar back home. With no prior business experience and unsure where to begin, she was referred to WESST by her CPA. Marsha was looking for guidance and she found it. She was introduced to DreamB
Gifts, Baskets and Beyond, LLC
Gifts, Baskets and Beyond is a retail business that provides gifts for every special occasion. Clients can customize and build their own gifts or buy ready-made gifts. The business has a retail location at the Cottonwood Mall and offers a delivery option. The store also sells other items such as purses, clothes, and selected items according to the occasion: Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays, Weddings and more. Isabel Licano came to WESST in 2017 when she had
Gypsie Soule
Gypsie Soule is the destination for fashionable, fun, unique, boutique women’s clothing in Ruidoso, New Mexico. They take special care in selecting quality clothing and accessories perfect for everyday life, going out or that special occasion. Maryellen Self has worked since she was 15. She always believed that one must do what they can, and she has never been too proud to do what needed to be done. At a very young age, she started working in the oil industry and worked her w
In the Middle
Jessica Lucero came to WESST with a background in media marketing and experience in starting and managing an organization. She already had a strong draft of a business plan and a clear vision for her non-traditional thrift shop, In The Middle. However, like many aspiring business owners, her greatest challenge was access to funding. She had heard of WESST through her business mentor, her very own stepdad. He suggested working with WESST because he knew we helped women start
Luna and Luz
“Luna and Luz” (Tess’s daughters’ middle names) is a retail shop, located in the historic Albuquerque Old Town district. Her shop showcases nearly 200 local artisans, including many women-owned and Albuquerque-based businesses. Tess is in the business of invigorating the local economy and making our community rich by supporting vendors and artists who are true makers. She finds purpose through the creation of experiences and cultivation of relationships within the local artis
Maman Atelier
Maman Atelier manufactures and sells lingerie using environmentally friendly fabrics. Kai Lani Mayer, owner, believes that garments should be made to endure years of well-loved wear and, with proper care, can become more beautiful with time. She sells online and attends pop-up shops and events around the state to promote and sell her lingerie. Kai Lani has been a WESST client since 2019. Her first class was Power Tools for Your Business. She decided to take that class to help
Mi Casita Home Decor
Gloria Rodriguez comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Her father was a panadero, a baker of Mexican pan dulce, for 50 years. Her mother, a caterer of Mexican delicacies, and her brother and sister-in-law continue the bakery legacy, running a tortilla factory. After a successful career in bilingual education, Gloria transitioned to pursuing her passion for artesania. She learned about WESST through a family friend and fellow WESST client, Paul Gallegos, owner of Cutbow Coffe
Mrs. Bee's Children's Books, LLC
Diana Henson resides in the rural area of Dexter, NM, and has managed her farm for many years. She had heard of WESST through a friend and knew they provided business support. Diana had just started thinking about writing children’s books, and she reached out to WESST Roswell in August 2022. She wanted to pursue her love for writing, particularly children’s stories, and incorporate her experience of living on a farm and taking care of animals. At the time, Diana was also co
Nifty 50’s Gift Shop & Cool Classics For You
Growing up in Roswell, Melissa and Orlando loved their community and always wanted to be a big part of it. Opening their own business had been a lifelong dream. When Orlando, who is an award winning classic car restorer, saw an old building become available, their wheels started turning! With Orlando’s classic car restoration experience and Melissa’s love of the 50’s style clothing and elegance of the era, they knew it was a perfect match for a new business. The local market