STORIES OF IMPACT

At WESST, we believe the heart of our mission is best told through the journeys of the entrepreneurs we serve. In our Client Stories section, you’ll find inspiring accounts of New Mexican business owners—at every stage of their ventures—who have been transformed through WESST’s consulting, training, lending, and incubation support. These stories highlight how we partner with clients to turn ideas into thriving, sustainable businesses, showing the real impact of guidance, financial tools, and persistence.

From wellness centers, retail brands, and service businesses to manufacturing and tech enterprises, each narrative underscores how tailored resources, mentorship, and belief in their vision helped these founders overcome obstacles, build confidence, and grow with purpose.

Desert River Guides

Desert River Guides, LLC was established in 2020 by owners Ryan and Cody Dudgeon, who grew up in the Farmington area. Desert River Guides is the first business of its kind to exist in the local region and has become a premier activity for residents and visitors. Combined with 28 years of guiding experience on Class IV whitewater in Idaho and Montana, Cody and Ryan have rafted many of the rivers in the Southwest. They know what it takes to provide safe and excellent customer s

NATURE & WILDLIFE

Diane's Restaurant

For Diane Holloway, reaching a low point gave her the momentum to leap from pastry chef to successful entrepreneur. She moved quickly from no job prospects to using a $5,000 SBA microloan from WESST to grow a trio of eateries. Now, Holloway’s sought-after destinations sit within a single city block in Silver City, New Mexico: Diane’s Bakery & Deli, Diane’s Restaurant, and The Parlor. Even with her impressive list of accomplishments, Holloway is not quick to accept titles, inc

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Dinéland Protection Services

Dinéland Protection Services provides 24x7x365 security service to the Navajo Mine (a large surface coal mine operated by the Bisti Fuels unit of North American Coal on behalf of the Navajo Nation‐owned, Navajo Transitional Energy Corporation). The mine is one of the largest employers on the Navajo Nation. Verda faced many challenges in starting her business. As is the case with many first‐time business owners, Verda was “long” on operational experience and “short” on experie

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Dodysdodat Creations

Dodysdodat Creations is jewelry made by Mary Bevers. Mary started making jewelry when she was 9 years old. After making jewelry for her friends and family as gifts, she decided to take her jewelry-making passion seriously and turn it into a business. She has been using her own funds and support from her husband to purchase all her supplies and materials needed to make her jewelry. Mary creates earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rosaries. She is also learning how to do photog

CREATIVE ARTS

Down to Earth and Radicle, LLC

Christie became an entrepreneur to change the world. With no business experience or any idea what it would take to be a business owner, she wanted to affect positive change for people and the environment and founded Down to Earth, LLC in 1999. Christie believed that if people felt strongly enough about their food, land and natural resources, we would have a chance to turn the powerful tide of bioengineered crops, industrial agriculture and ecosystems denuded of living soil an

NATURE & WILDLIFE

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