Business Resources
Case study: NearSea Naturals
- General Resources
- Health Insurance
- Networking and Referrals
- Marketing and Advertising
- Staffing
- Interns
- Specialized Industry Organizations
General Resources
Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of New Mexico
505-277-2216
Collects and disseminates information about economic and demographic issues in New Mexico. Economic forecasting, population projections, annual NM Economic Outlook Conference; area reports include Santa Fe Living Wage studies and statewide Main Street studies.
New Mexico 9000
NM 9000 offers an expedited (one-year) training for ISO 9001:2008 certification for as little as $1,000 – compared with $120,000 by conventional means. ISO is a set of quality management standards recognized by 161 countries,and most major companies in the US, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and
Asia, which require anyone doing business with them to be ISO compliant.
New Mexico Economic Development Department
1100 St Francis Drive
505-827-0300
On their website, download “Starting Out:A Guide to creating Your Own New Mexico Business” a 40-page booklet with step-by-step articles on topics such as writing a business plan, types of business structure, business registration, employee issues, financing, etc. The website has links to business resources around the state.
NMEDD is also a one-stop shop for information on exporting. They can help businesses assess moving into international marketplace. Representatives from the Department attend international trade fairs where they generate trade leads, locate importers, and establish distribution networks for New Mexico products. NMEDD includes the International Trade and Office of Mexican Affairs where trade experts help businesses navigate complex cultural, financial, legal, and logistical obstacles in international markets. NMEDD also maintains trade offices in Israel and Japan . In addition, the U.S. Commercial Service has an office at the EDD headquarters.
New Mexico Manufacturer’s Extension Partnership (NMMEP)
Phone: 1-800-MEP-4MFG;
Email: info@newmexicomep.org
NMMEP provides Lean Manufacturing workshops and helps companies access, obtain, and commercialize technologies from Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, NMMEP provides easy access to more than 2,000 manufacturing, technical and business specialists, along with the latest technology and industry best practices. Other services provided by NMMEP are quality assurance, business planning, and enterprise development.
New Mexico State Library
1205 Camino Carlos Rey
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-476-9702
Available on site: online business databases, state-wide and local newspapers, business journals and directories. Available on their website: a list of New Mexico business resources can be found under the tab “Online Resources.”
Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board (NALWDB)
5 Bisbee Court, suite 104
Santa Fe 87508
505-986-0363
Under “Economic Development,” find a downloadable 45-page listing of business assistance organizations and programs around the state, including programs for disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned businesses. A workforce profile including demographics and economic activity in priority industry sectors is also online: www.nalwdb.nm.org/santafe.php
Santa Fe Business Incubator
3900 Paseo del Sol
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-424-1140
Office space, shared office equipment, training and publicity for businesses that move into the Incubator. Services are available through an affiliate program for pre-resident businesses and those who have “graduated.” Business consulting services, including crafting a business plan, are available to the general public. A program for low/moderate income businesses funds up to three year’s rent in the facility.
Santa Fe Public Library
http://www.santafelibrary.org/
On-line newspaper, magazine, and reference databases can be accessed from home if you have a Santa Fe library card; Business and Company Resource Center database has company profiles, history, investment reports, etc.; ProQuest database searches 85 newspapers from around the country, including the Santa Fe New Mexican and the Albuquerque Journal.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
120 Federal Place, #307
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-6302
Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE counselors provide free one-on-one business (for profit and non-profit) consultations on all aspects of starting and operating a business including writing a business plan, solving operational problems and improving sales and profits. SCORE also provides workshops on financing, human resources, marketing, and other business topics.
Small Business Administration, New Mexico District Office
625 Silver Avenue, SW, suite 420
Albuquerque, NM
505-248-8225
SBA is the federal government’s arm for small business services and support including small business loans and loan guarantees. The Albuquerque office houses a SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) chapter. The website has information about on-line business classes, e-newsletters, general business articles and web links; office refers general questions about SBA loans to their website.
Small Business Development Center at Santa Fe Community College
6401 Richards Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-428-1343
Often a first stop for entrepreneurs; advisors can help with the formulation of business plans and marketing plans. In addition to providing individualized business consultations, the SBDC offers monthly classes on business management skills such as taxes, accounting software, and home-based businesses. There are 19 SBDCs around the state, with expert advisors on a variety of business topics.
Health Insurance
Private insurance companies can often meet your needs. It’s a good idea to compare different plans to find one that best meets your needs. Independent insurance brokers can often help. New Mexico also has a wealth of State funded programs to help provide health insurance.
Companies are also able to access group insurance plans through the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce.
Insure New Mexico Programs
505-827-7713
Programs include health insurance for small businesses, non-profit organizations, self-employed, families, children, and pregnant women.
New Mexico Health Insurance Alliance
1660 Old Pecos Trail, suite F
Santa Fe, NM
505-989-1600 or 1-800-204-4700
Insurance for up to 50 employees; 50% of eligible employees need to enroll. Various health plans/carriers available; HMO, preferred provider, travel insurance, etc.
New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool
The Pool provides access to health insurance coverage to residents of New Mexico who are denied health insurance and considered uninsurable. NMMIP also provides health benefit portability coverage to New Mexicans who have exhausted COBRA benefits and have no other portability options available to them. Income assistance programs are available.
Networking and Referrals
Santa Fe is a word-of-mouth town; a personal contact is often the best way into an industry or organization. People are generally friendly and helpful, so check with the following organizations for meeting times and locations, and bring plenty of business cards. Many of these organizations have resource sections on their websites with links to business resources, business workshops or other support services to entrepreneurs.
Business Networking International
505-898-4363 (Gayle Williams)
Weekly meetings; various times and locations. Only one member per business sector joins a chapter; members use structured business referral system.
Capital City Business and Professional Women
http://www.capitalcitybpw.org/
505-930-1024
Monthly networking dinner meetings, Women of the Year awards, Young Careerist competition. Part of a national organization founded in 1919 that focuses on the broad issues of working women.
Green Business Networking Meeting
Monthly breakfast networking meetings for businesses in the green/sustainable industries. Contact info@santafealliance.com to receive e-mail notification of meetings.
Green Drinks
Monthly after-work networking meetings for business people and community members interested in green lifestyle/sustainability issues. Meets at various venues around around town; guest speakers. Contact bookchambers@earthlink.net to receive e-mail notification of meetings.
NAWBO Northern New Mexico (National Association of Women Business Owners)
505-243-1430
P.O. Box 30887
Albuquerque, NM 87190
Dues-based national membership organization representing the interests of women entrepreneurs. Networking meetings in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
http://www.santafechamber.com/
8380 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-983-7317
A variety of networking and referral opportunities for member businesses; advocacy, tourism and relocation information. Website has a good list of local business resources and links.
Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
http://www.santafehispanicchamber.com/
P.O. Box 4640
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-473-3080
Focused on supporting and growing Hispanic-owned businesses. Providing networking and referral opportunities and advocacy of Hispanic entrepreneurship.
Santa Fe Independent Business and Citizens Alliance (The Santa Fe Alliance)
http://www.santafealliance.com/
P.O. Box 23864
Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-5362
Membership organization of independent, locally-owned businesses; affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) and Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE); promotes local, sustainable economy through advocacy, education, networking events.
Marketing and Advertising
Many general business counseling organizations listed in other sections of this guide can provide individualized advice about market research and marketing/advertising plans. Business organizations can provide referrals to advertising and marketing agencies.
Toastmasters International
505-603-2066 or susanne@deltamortgageonline.com
Self-development and education through a Speaking and Presentation Skills track and a Leadership Skills track. Five local meetings, four of which are appropriate for beginners. Modest yearly dues.
Staffing
Finding the right people
Finding the right staff, consultants, or student interns can be crucial to growing and maintaining a successful business. Networking events and personal connections are often the best way to find the right person. It’s can also help to connect with other professionals in the industry, utilize local educational institutions or advertise in local publications.
Career Services at Santa Fe Community College
505-428-1406
Internships are arranged on a case-by-case basis through individual departments. The college offers classes in a variety of subjects, from computer assisted drawing to paralegal studies; check the website for a complete department listing. Contact prior to the semester: early August for fall semester, December for spring semester, and May for summer internships. Also available is a “Cooperative Education” program; students with a higher skill level are paid by the employer. Job fairs are held each semester; businesses looking for employees are encouraged to participate.
Craig’s List
http://santafe.craigslist.org/
The popular classified site is increasingly popular in the Santa Fe area. It’s free to post job listings of browse by type of employment.
New Mexico Workforce Connection
301 West DeVargas
505-827-7434
“One Stop” centers offer support services for job seekers such as resources rooms with computer, phone, and fax usage, basic keyboarding and computer tutorials and other skill-building opportunities. Employers looking to hire can get help with identifying and describing job requirements and can post job openings in their on-line database. Youth training includes helping older, out-of-school youth work towards their GED, and working in the schools to help teens identify career interests.
New Mexico’s High Tech Job Forum
Website for technology-related jobs, geared to job seekers, freelancers, and employers. Post a resume, search posted resumes, search current tech projects and contracts.
The Santa Fe New Mexican
The local, daily newspaper is widely read in the community. Both print and online classified ads list job opportunities by type of employment.
The Santa Fe Reporter
This local, weekly publication is popular and provides in-depth journalism and cultural coverage in a city with a vigorous arts scene. Both print and online classified ads list job opportunities by type of employment.
Interns
High school and college students can be valuable additions to your staff. The more specific you are about intern duties and expectations, the more successful the internship match will be.
Bulldogs in Santa Fe
http://www.bulldogsinsantafe.com/
505-459-3876 (Program Administrator)
Summer intern program of Yale University undergraduates; operates intern programs in various cities around the country. Bulldogs provides housing, a mentor, and a cohesive “community immersion” program for the interns. Employers are responsible for a set intern stipend for the ten-week program.
College of Santa Fe
505-473-6221 (Office of the Dean of Students)
Businesses should submit a job description; students negotiate with their department for class credit.
Career Services at Santa Fe Community College
505-428-1406
Internships are arranged on a case-by-case basis through individual departments. The college offers classes in a variety of subjects, from computer assisted drawing to paralegal studies; check the website for a complete department listing. Contact prior to the semester: early August for fall semester, December for spring semester, and May for summer internships. Also available is a “Cooperative Education” program; students with a higher skill level are paid by the employer. Job fairs are held each semester; businesses looking for employees are encouraged to participate.
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
High school program:
at Capital High School 505-467-1166
at Santa Fe High school 505-467-2431
Flexible internships available during the summer, after-school hours or weekends. Students are not offered school credit, so an employer stipend is helpful in recruiting students.
St. John’s College
505-984-6132 Intern Coordinator
or 505-984-6067 Career Services Office
Summer internships through a competitive program; students apply by February for college-awarded intern stipends. Internships can be in any type of business, with either a formal job description or individualized “build your own” job description.
Specialized and Industry Organizations
ADC Architects Designers & Contractors Network
10 Alegre Pass
Santa Fe, NM 87508
ADC Network offers resources and expertise for anyone who wants to build or remodel a home or commercial space in New Mexico. ADC Network represents a variety of New Mexico and Southwest Architects, Designers and Contractors who are committed to providing excellent designs, building methods, and energy and resource efficiency.
The International Business Accelerator
113 Sundance Court
Santa Teresa, NM 88008
575-589-2200
Databases, individualized advice, and on-line resources for businesses interested in international trade of goods or services. Check their website for global business links, trade leads and state-wide international trade figures.
ComeOnHome.biz
ComeOnHome.biz provides an affordable and effective way for businesses in the home building, landscaping, decorating and related fields to market themselves to consumers, clients and industry specifiers.
Coronado Ventures Forum
505-662-0048
190 Central Park Square
Los Alamos, NM 87544
Brings entrepreneurs and investors together for networking and educational programs on the process of early-stage, private equity funding. .
crewnewmexico.com
On-line resource guide for the film industry includes production support, filming locations, lodging, dining, real estate listings; also “Who’s Filming Now” listings with film synopsis.
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
Peer-to-peer international membership organization for people working with data security. Northern New Mexico chapter hosts informational meetings with guest speakers.
New Mexico Information Technology Council
505-830-8414 (program information)
Advocacy organization for the computer hardware, software, internet-related and telecommunications sectors.
New Mexico Film Office
418 Montezuma Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-476-5600
Assistance in creative and financial aspects of film projects, including location scouting, loans and tax rebate; on-line resource directory of crew, vendors, services and resources around the state.
Northern New Mexico Supplier Alliance (NNMSA)
505-577-5853
Lmartinez@edi-nm.com (Leslie Martinez)
Provides networking and brokering opportunities between businesses and the Federal Government, Los Alamos National Labs, and major subcontractors.
Technology Ventures Corporation
505-246-2882
1155 University Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
This non-profit calls itself “a bridge between technology and investment.” Supports entrepreneurs in preparing their business case to raise money from equity investors. At their “Equity Capital Symposia” selected companies pitch to potential investors.
