WESST Blog

At our 10th annual Silver Soiree, we celebrated three impressive WESST small business clients: Lauren Wenderoth, owner of The Village Refillery; Kate Padilla, owner of Brightburn Academy of Irish Dance; and Christina Starr, owner of Boujee on a Budget. These inspiring small business owners shared their business journeys and how WESST’s support helped them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Their stories are a testament to their passion and creativity, and the transformative power of WESST’s programs and services.

 

Thank you, Lauren, Kate, and Christina, for joining us on September 5 so we can celebrate and share your small business success! A special thank you to the students of Brightburn Academy of Irish Dance who entertained our guests with two captivating performances.

 

We asked about their experiences with WESST and what advice they’d share with other entrepreneurs…

 

Christina Starr, Boujee on a Budget

Tell us about your business: Boujee on a Budget was founded with the budget conscious bride in mind. We focus on quality and budget to relieve some of the wedding budget stressors affecting today’s brides. Offering beautiful and modern bridal fashions at a fraction of traditional boutiques’ costs.

WESST’s role in your success: WESST’s role has been pivotal in every aspect of our business. From consulting to loans and everything in between. They have held my hand when I’ve had to make business altering decisions.

A lesson for fellow entrepreneurs: Ask questions, even the ones you think are silly. Don’t be afraid to fail and give your dreams all you’ve got. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who support your vision.

 

Lauren Wenderoth, The Village Refillery

Tell us about your business: The Village Refillery is a zero-waste, bulk refill shop in the heart of Corrales that makes sustainable living luxurious, without sacrificing affordability or convenience. We empower our community to ditch single-use plastic and exploitative, linear supply chains by providing customers with refillable, earth-friendly home cleaning & personal care products.

WESST’s role in your success: I can’t overstate WESST’s contributions to The Village Refillery. The 1:1 support and low-cost training sessions they provide to me and other women entrepreneurs in New Mexico are invaluable. I have worked with Dave Vedera and Sara Osusky from the start. They have held my hand through so many essential steps like registering the business, onboarding employees, paying taxes, and navigating social media marketing!

A lesson for fellow entrepreneurs: Starting a business feels like running a marathon at a sprint pace. The never-ending work can put you on the fast-track to burnout! I must be intentional about putting my own health above that of the business, making time for things in life that ground me, and zooming out often to remind myself why I started this business in the first place.

 

Kate Padilla, Brightburn Academy of Irish Dance

Tell us about your business: The Brightburn Academy of Irish Dance was established in 2019 out of a desire to bring a safe, family-friendly Irish Dance school to New Mexico which promotes physical health and coordination, confidence and poise, and spreading the tradition of dance from the Irish Culture throughout Albuquerque Metro area. Brightburn offers classes for children as young as four years old in a developmentally-friendly environment, spanning different ages and abilities, including adult dancers who have never before taken a dance class.

WESST’s role in your success: WESST not only helped get our business off the ground by helping us navigate the necessary forms and procedures needed to become a business within the state of New Mexico, but they were also instrumental in assisting us in attaining several grants throughout the course of the pandemic, without which, we would have never been able to stay in business. Their help has also shaped the look of our current website, which is our leading source of attracting new business.

A lesson for fellow entrepreneurs: Being able to read your clientele–their needs, desires, and resources–has been absolutely essential in growing our business. Staying connected to not only the “who”, but also the “why” behind our business continues to help sustain us during the more difficult times of entrepreneurship.