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
Eagle Drums
Born in Albuquerque and raised on the Cochiti Pueblo reservation, Gilbert “Eagle” Herrera has 35 years of drum making experience. At 45, the fourth generation drum maker learned the art process from his father, Redbird. When his father Redbird decided it was time to stop making drums, Eagle was determined to start creating his own style of drums while also continuing the traditional drum maker style that has been in the family for years. Eagle carefully selects Aspen trees fr
Feral Lore Perfumes
There is just something to be said for child’s play and exploration in fields of flowers. As a young girl, little Kate discovered her love for aromatherapy by blending petals together to smell their remnant on her fingertips. Upon reflection, Ms. Viers shares, “I created Feral Lore Perfumes with a desire to share my passion for natural aromatics with the world.” Given her extensive education in aromatherapy and herbal medicine, she was able to formulate the blends we experien
Fire of Sandia: A Candle Bar
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