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.

Cacho's Bistro, LLC

Ronsuelvic Cavalieri has always had an entrepreneurship spirit. She came to WESST in March of 2017 with the idea to start her company based on a popular Venezuelan pastry called cachos. She knew she had to learn the basics of forming a business, design her business plan, learn about the food industry regulations, save some money to pay for the startup costs and get proper advice and mentorship. She worked for about 9 months on developing her plan, attending training and consu

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Casa Fine Mexican Cuisine

Josefina Verduzco is the passionate owner of Casa Fina Mexican Cuisine. She is focused on bringing authentic flavors to the community through high-quality dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Josefina first met with WESST in June 2023 seeking funding for her business. She met with our Lending team and was able to complete a Nano Loan application to purchase a laptop for her business – a small loan with a big impact, helping her streamline and enhance her bus

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Catopia Cat Café

Catopia is a “Cat Cafe,” a fun place to hang out with cats and promote adoption while being able to sit, read, and eat or drink a little something while spending quality time with friends or with a new feline friend. Sandy Dierks had a self-described mid-life crisis. She says it was a “kids are grown empty nest thing,” and she has always wanted to help animals. She was reading about the rise in popularity of “Cat Cafes” and thought it would be a good business venture for Albu

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Cell Phone Doctor

Cell Phone Doctor is a family-owned business serving the greater Gallup community and the Navajo Nation. Cell Phone Doctor sells new and factory refurbished phones and services all brands of cell phones and tablets. They sell several cell phone models, including iPhone, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Android and PlayStation, and Xbox gaming systems. Cell Phone Doctor can also network unlock phones and complete basic repairs on phones, tablets, computers, and game systems. The WESST F

RETAIL

Chely's Beauty Salon

Araceli Bueno (Chely) immigrated to the US with her family when she was 12 years old and always had a dream of owning a beauty salon. Despite early challenges in finding housing and having to help her mother care for her younger siblings, Chely was able to realize her dream of being an entrepreneur when, in 2003, she launched her business in Roswell, New Mexico. Chely faced another key challenge when suddenly her family situation changed and she lost her lease on the building

HEALTH, WELLNESS, & BEAUTY

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