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
Paris Bridal
Paris Bridal sells wedding attire and accessories, plus fashion attire for events such as Quinceañeras, proms, and homecoming. They also offer design services and decorations for special events and provide special orders for any occasion. Sanjuana Arreola was raised by her mother, a seamstress, in a small community in Mexico. Her mother’s dedication, talent and artistry excited Sanjuana. She remembers rummaging through her mother’s sewing boxes, fabrics and projects. All of i
Rocky Ridge Gas + Market
Rocky Ridge Gas + Market is a Navajo-owned convenience store providing fresh food and reservation staples to the Rocky Ridge, AZ community and surrounding area. They curate “Grandma Baskets,” a selection of popular foods and staples, for relatives who want to provide Shima’ sani (grandmother) with her favorite foods as donated purchases from the market store. It is also a gas station, providing fuel to travelers and locals within a 20-mile radius of the Navajo Reservation. Ge
The Santa Fe Sewing Studio
Susan has been creating fleece hats and accessories for many years. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she and her family now call Santa Fe home. Susan was four years old when she began to sew, and at the age of 19 received her AAS degree in Fashion Design from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York). She went on to work on Seventh Ave in the garment district for several years as a designer and pattern maker. Susan started with fleece ha