WESST PRESS RELEASES

With funding support from Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, WESST is launching Minding Your Business, a podcast and radio show about the steps taken and stories told in building New Mexico’s businesses. Hosts Margarita Guarin and Neema Pickett from WESST and Mark Gilboard, former WESST consultant, interview the owners of our state’s diverse businesses – products and services, new and old, large and small – so that listeners can be inspired, discover new things, and envision business through a new lens.

Some of our featured guests include Congo Truong (Neko Neko inside Sawmill Market), Mary Martinez (Home Instead), Sarah Ferrel and Laura Freed (Albuquerque School of Healing Arts), Megan Fenton (Marigold Mitten), Stephanie Wright (Resource Brewing Co.), Paul and Sylvia Gallegos (Cutbow Coffee), Alison Schmitt (Stargazer Kombucha), Tess Coats (Luna & Luz), Noel Dalton (Southwest Makeup Institute), and Lorraine Higgins (Orange Theory Fitness).

“Leading any organization is hard work,” said Margarita Guarin, WESST Albuquerque Women’s Business Center Regional Manager. “Minding Your Business” is designed to help listeners understand how small business owners navigate the challenges of decision making.”

“It’s amazing to take the deeper dive into understanding the structure of what has created many of our New Mexico small businesses. Minding Your Business inspires me as I see the diversity we represent as a state in far too many industries to count.” said Neema Pickett, Business Consultant and Trainer at WESST.

To listen to the podcast, tune in to KKOB on Sunday’s at 11:00am.  If you miss it and want to catch up on all the previous podcast, please visit the WESST website at www.wesst.org.

Neema Pickett is a Business Consultant and Trainer at WESST. She helps clients with business strategy, marketing, sales and numerous other business concepts. As a New Mexico Business owner for the past 23 years, she engages audiences with “real life” teachable moments. Her passion for small business has led her to being a business coach and trainer both locally and internationally. Neema firmly believes that Entrepreneurship is the way to move families from poverty to financial freedom.

Margarita Guarin is the Regional Manager for WESST’s Women’s Business Center in Albuquerque.  Her priority is to educate entrepreneurs on how to build and grow a sustainable business. Through the years, her love for innovation and entrepreneurship has led her to advise many startups and established businesses in all areas including operations, viability, financials, and marketing. She has been awarded the SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the year. She uses her bilingual skills to serve an ever-increasing Spanish speaking population of business owners and, she is an entrepreneur herself!