Grow your business
Case study: Magnus Studios
Planning and informed decision-makingNew businesses and established businesses alike can always benefit from feedback and advice. Counseling from business specialists is available for basic questions as well as for complex issues. Whether it’s writing a business plan or figuring out budgeting and marketing, these organizations can help keep your business on the right track.
City of Santa Fe Economic Development
120 South Federal Place, #314
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-955-6912
The City’s Economic Development Division provides information and assistance on financing, incentives, business assistance programs, government permitting and regulations, staffing, finding locations, and more. Their website provides links to business resources.
Empowering Business Spirit Initiative
989-8004 (Program Coordinator)
A resource hub, connecting businesses to a variety of business development services around Northern New Mexico. If you need business advice or services, but don’t know where to get it, this group can point you in the right direction.
Information Systems Security Association
The local chapter of this international organization for IT security professionals. Monthly lunch-time meetings alternate between Los Alamos and Santa Fe and offer networking, professional development, and guest speakers about the latest IT security developments. Contact Glenn York at rgyork@rgy.com to receive the monthly e-mail.
Los Alamos National Labs Community Programs Office
Information on LANL’s community investment/direct giving programs: education, economic development, and general charitable giving. Higher education scholarships are available for northern New Mexico students, as well as teacher trainings and professional development programs. Their “Business Resource Guide” at www.lanl.gov contains information on government contracting and venture capital financing.
- Small Business Office: www.lanl.gov/orgs/sup/procurement/
For information on contract work, bidding procedures and forecasting opportunities with LANL
- Technology Transfer Division: www.lanl.gov/orgs/tt/index.shtml
Licenses Los Alamos technologies to industry and to start-up companies. Training and networking events in partnership with TVC (Technology Ventures Corporation) and Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation.
Other LANL economic development initiatives are conducted through Northern New Mexico Connect http://www.nnmconnect.net/
Contact: Corinne Lebrun, Business Operations Manager 505-820-1226
Programs Include:
- Market Intelligence Resource:
Research/technical assistance hours worth up to $20,000 ($10,000 for Bernalillo county businesses). Assistance may include testing, design consultation, technology assessments, etc., and must not be affordable through the private sector. Help writing governmental technology-related grant proposals. Assistance is provided by Sandia Labs, LANL, UNM, or the NM Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Donna Berg 505-667-8129 donna.berg@lanl.gov
- The Link Program:
Coaching and networking for small businesses and entrepreneurs: LINK uses a community’s own networks and resources to harness social capital for entrepreneurs. A community-based facilitator meets with the entrepreneur to understand his or her needs, then provides connections to networks and resources that help start, grow or improve the business.
Elmer Salazar 505-667-5720 elmers@lanl.gov
- LANS Venture Acceleration Fund
The Venture Acceleration Fund (VAF) invests in creating and growing Northern New Mexico businesses that have an association with LANL technology or expertise. It funds up to $100,000 per project to businesses that use technology for commercial applications with market demand. Use of VAF awards includes activities such as proof of concept, prototyping, product engineering, cutomer acquisition and market validation.
Belinda Padilla, 505-667-9896 bee@lanl.gov
- Springboard Program
Springboard provides expert coaching and mentoring for companies facing a strategic decision such as securing funding, verifying a business model, building a management team, or penetrating a new market.
Doruk Aytulu, 505-667-5315 doruk@lanl.gov
- The New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program
Offers technical assistance to New Mexico small businesses. Businesses with a technical challenge that requires national laboratory expertise can seek assistance from scientists or engineers at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. Such projects include testing, design consultation, and access to special equipment.
Lisa Henne, 505-667-1710 henne.berg@lanl.gov
New Mexico Business and Community Development Calendar
On-line listing of business and economic development workshops, classes, and events around the state. Includes events by government, non-profit and fee-for-service organizations; can be searched by area, date, or type of event.
New Mexico Native American Business Enterprise Center (NMNABEC)
2401 12th Street NW, suite 5-S
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-243-6775
Funded by the US Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. Assists individuals, sole proprietors, corporations and Tribal entities with their business needs, on or off the reservation. Technical and management assistance.
Sandia National Laboratories
The Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBAP) is specifically for New Mexico small business and it provides up to $10,000 worth of technical assistance annually per business in rural New Mexico and $5,000 in Bernalillo county at no charge for the work of a scientist or engineer at Sandia.
Sandia’s Mentor/Protégé Program matches volunteer mentors with small business protégés tocreate an advisory relationship focused on business development goals, i.e, effective presentation, training, competitive process workshops, and more.
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 consultations on all aspects of starting and operating a business.
Small Business Development Center at Santa Fe Community College
6401 Richards Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-428-1343
Advisors provide individualized business consultations; monthly classes on business management skills such as taxes, accounting software, and home-based businesses.
Small Business Institute at UNM ’s Anderson School of Management
505-277-2423, Dr. Raj Mahto
Free business consultant services provided by UNM business students, including help on business plans, market research, and financing. Call at the beginning of the fall (August) or spring (January) semesters; students choose business projects in their area of interest from a list of available applicants.
WESST Corporation (Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team)
3900 Paseo del Sol, suite #322A
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-474-6556
Statewide economic development organization providing business consulting, training, and technical assistance. With a business plan, business loans of $500-$35,000 are available. Founded to assist low-income women and minorities, services are now available to everyone.
Business and Project Incubators
Business incubators offer “under one roof” support to growing businesses. Resident businesses share office equipment and/or staffing, have flexible leasing arrangements, and receive on-going support and business counseling. Services are available to non-resident businesses, often in preparation for businesses to qualify for incubator membership.
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 Complex
A community studio creating connections across science, technology and art with an emphasis on collaboration, communication and education in all activities. The conference area contains meeting rooms and facilities for short-term use associated with on-going projects. The project space houses the great room, where events are held and working facilities are available for laptop users.
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.
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
http://www.sfccnm.edu/career_services
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://www.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
http://www.sfccnm.edu/career_services
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.
