Gents Day Spa
Emelita “Lita” Lujan opened Ladies and Gents Day Spa in January 2012 as a sole proprietorship (with the intention of incorporating within a year). Her unique full-service day spa was divided into two separate sides – one, a high-end barber shop, dedicated to men who wanted to experience her world-class grooming services where they can relax with a cigar while having a manicure or hot-lather shave; and the other, dedicated to women. Both had their individual entrances and both
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
Gloria I. Rodriguez & Associates
Gloria I. Rodriguez & Associates, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Curriculum Specialists, is devoted to increasing the number of CLD professionals in the K-12 publishing world. Gloria creates a space for CLD professionals interested in writing culturally and linguistically responsive curriculum. Their participation as curriculum writers will enrich the K-12 grade level curriculum used in public schools across the country. It is well documented that the mainstream
Golden Anderson Studios
Golden Anderson Studios is a working studio and showroom specializing in original handmade jewelry, expert jewelry repair, and custom jewelry design. David started making jewelry in 1982, Gail started making jewelry in 2000. They met in a jewelry class and joined forces after marrying in 2008. Each was making jewelry part-time while working elsewhere. They were able to make their business full-time in 2017. Both Gail and David have attended workshops given by WESST over the y
Great Livin', LLC
As a therapist working with adults with developmental disabilities, Matt Poel was often frustrated by the limitations he saw imposed on his clients by the agencies that provided their residential care. “It was so restrictive,” says Poel, 34, who admits to being a long-time champion of the underdog. “I kept thinking, 'Just let them try it! Who cares?'” Giving people that “dignity of risk,” became the mission behind Great Livin’, a two-year-old venture by Poel and his business
Greetings, Etc.
Jeanette and Martin Candelaria are growing a profitable and successful business in an industry where many companies are struggling. Their combination of extremely high quality printing and mailing services along with a positive attitude and flexible customer service keep the customers and jobs flowing. Eleven years ago the Candelarias purchased an existing business that specialized in personalized greeting cards. They quickly discovered that the market for this niche was too
Green Choice Cleaning, LLC
For 17 years Olivia worked in the cleaning and restoration business. She worked long hours as a single parent and saw the effects of people using toxic chemicals without protective gear, plus unprotected exposure to dangerous chemicals worried her. Co-workers would become sick; often because they were unaware and not forewarned about the impact – both physically and environmentally. She decided it was time for a change and started thinking about how she could make a differenc
Groundfloor, LLC
When Matt Kreitman and Robbie Lipworth opened Ground Floor LLC in July of 2007, they had no reason to anticipate the storm that would soon engulf the national property market. Fortunately, their business strategy – by necessity as much as intention – was based on extreme conservatism. With limited funding in the early stages of the business, the entrepreneurs were flexible and strategic with their business decisions. Initially, only pocket change was invested in their fledgli