Ebenezer Hats
Alamogordo, NM Chelsea Hayes, founder and owner of Ebenezer Hats, was working with Trish Livingston, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at New Mexico State University Alamogordo on her business when Trish recommended connecting with WESST. Chelsea began collaborating with Humberto on her business venture, and this recommendation opened up valuable opportunities for guidance and support. " WESST helped me refine my approach and take the next steps in grow
Happy Kids Early Learning Center
Albuquerque, NM Daniela Reyes and Flor Guaderrama participated in THE (Training Home Educators) Accelerator, a collaborative child care business accelerator between WESST, Growing Up New Mexico, and Partnership for Community Action, and learned about WESST. As they were starting their child care business, they were exploring lending opportunities and came in for a consultation. The biggest challenge Daniela and Flor faced has been the high cost of starting a child care busin
Surprise Balloons
Hobbs, NM In 2023, Elia Gonzalez learned about WESST through Sergio Polanco, the President of the Hobbs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She became familiar with WESST’s services and how they could potentially help promote what was, at the time, her project. She attended a WESST training, decided to start her small business, and that ‘project’ became Surprise Balloons. One of the main obstacles Elia faced was how to get started. She had the knowledge and skills but did not kn
Tortas y Tacos Guadalajara
Roswell, NM When Pomposa Martinez arrived in Roswell, she dreamed of building a better future for her family. With her husband and three children by her side, she purchased a modest food truck and launched Tortas Y Tacos Guadalajara, bringing authentic Mexican flavors to their community. From the start, Pomposa’s warm personality and exceptional food quickly won the hearts of the local community, becoming a beloved fixture on Main Street. Her original food truck was aging
Powerful Changes LLC
Albuquerque, NM Dawn Weiburg first connected with our former WESST Rio Rancho office in the spring of 2025. After a major life transition brought her to Albuquerque, she was looking for expert guidance to relaunch her 35-year coaching and personal training career. She wanted to establish a powerful, professional online presence for her new business, Powerful Changes. As a new resident to the city, she faced the significant challenge of building a business from the ground up
Ii’ni Marketplace
Tohatchi, NM As Laris Manuelito began planning for her business, Ii’ni Marketplace, the biggest obstacle she encountered was securing funding for start-up businesses. She didn’t have collateral or prior business experience. Laris connected with the WESST Farmington office and learned about Native Women Rising, a special initiative focused on serving Native entrepreneurs. Laris, a Diné woman and a U.S. Army veteran, found there was a noticeable lack of dedicated support for
Hair by Andy Nunez
Las Cruces, NM Andy Nunez, a hairstylist based in Las Cruces, had opened his own salon. Like so many others, he didn’t know where to start, but he managed to do it anyway. He found himself struggling with cash flow and needed help, but wasn’t sure where to find it – that's when he found out about WESST. His former salon received a small business loan, and he decided to reach out to our team in Las Cruces for support. He was facing obstacles in his business financials, from
Rich Empowerment
Navajo Nation / Window Rock, AZ Elaine Owens was first introduced to WESST in 2023 by a high school classmate, who happened to be a contractor with WESST’s Native Women Rising program. With starting her consulting business, Rich Empowerment, she faced obstacles with direction, support, and encouragement. Living on the Navajo Nation, Elaine found it difficult finding like-minded entrepreneurs. She teamed up with WESST and found what she was looking for, the empowerment to turn