Getting your business off the ground—or to the next level—can be a daunting task, but the newly established Questa Business Bridge can help you. It provides a wealth of information and many resources for both existing and startup businesses within the Questa community and surrounding areas. Initially funded with a state grant through the Questa Economic Development Fund (QEDF), the Questa Business Bridge (QBB) is dedicated to empowering the greater Questa community by connecting businesses and entrepreneurs to essential workspaces, business resources, professional services, and development opportunities.
The grand opening on August 21, with ribbon cutting and prizes, found many locals in attendance. It was ceremonially launched by Questa Mayor John Ortega and QEDF Chair Malaquias Rael at the Questa Public Library.
QEDF Director Lynn Skall organized and facilitated the event, with the aid of Emily Wilde of QEDF, and Business Bridge Coordinator Jessica Trujillo. A number of individuals walked away with Questa gift bags, swag from the Questa Credit Union, and one lucky person won the grand prize of $100 in cash, all of which were raffled during the event. Questa’s newest restaurant, Rosie’s Smokehouse, provided scrumptious barbeque sliders and her famous homemade pickles; Wendy Medina of Evelyn’s Treats made a cake worthy of the grand opening.
Over a dozen business resource partner organizations were in attendance, ready to discuss their business support services and distribute information to interested community members. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was represented; their focus is to provide business consulting, information, and business training to new and emerging businesses. The SBDC also offers the New Mexico APEX Accelerator, which provides education and training on how to become a federal, state, or local government contractor. And dId you know that a representative of the SBDC already regularly comes to Questa, on the third Thursday of each month, to provide one-on-one confidential business coaching?
The Questa Credit Union was also represented, and they are planning to offer small business loans in the new year as well as financial planning courses.
The New Mexico Small Business Association (NMSBA) assists for-profit businesses with access to experts at Los Alamos National Laboratories and Sandia National Labs. These experts can help you gain knowledge and solve challenges utilizing the labs’ cutting-edge technologies. For example, business owners are able to seek out technical experts and scientists to help improve their business model in terms of consistency, efficiency, standardization, and more. Technical Project Manager Megan Zipperian stated, “There’s not a business we can’t help out if we’re creative enough.”
If your business is in need of a micro-grant, the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) offers no-interest loans and grants to for-profit rural and tribal-member-owned small businesses. The RDC partners with institutes of higher education to identify employer needs, then works with them to develop courses to create a well-trained workforce.
Representatives from the University of New Mexico were present and provided information on both associates degree and certification programs in Taos.
Taos HIVE (Hub of Internet-Based Vocation and Education) opened its doors in 2021 and is founded on three principles: education, entrepreneurship, and engagement. Taos HIVE offers free business coaching as well as help with brand development, social media strategies, email marketing, and business development. The HIVE STEMartsLAB empowers youth through art, science, and technology to prepare them for the 21st-century workplace. Director and Business Coach Rose Reza was excited to announce that a free HIVE-sponsored Youth Coding League is taking place in Questa this semester for youth in grades 5 and 6.
How is all of this applicable to you and your business? Say you are a business owner with a retail shop in the Questa area and you want to know how to make online ordering possible to reach more people via social media. The QBB can help with that by bringing that training to Questa through a resource such as Taos HIVE.
Or maybe you have an idea for a restaurant in Questa and are wondering how to get started with a solid business plan. The SBDC can help you right here in your own community.
Maybe you are currently a business owner and need a meeting spot outside your workplace or need help with training for your employees… the QBB at the QPL is now your spot for these resources.
The unique part of the QBB is the opportunity for local training and classes for entrepreneurs that’s close to home. At our library, the QBB also offers commercial-grade printing capabilities, faxing and scanning, a touch-screen presentation board, and two new desktop computers for use by business owners and residents. The new Business Bridge is a multifaceted resource Questa has never had before—and these services are offered at no cost, with the exception of a nominal fee for printing and copying.
All you need to do is take that first step and have your idea become more than just an idea!
For more information on the Questa Business Bridge, or to request a workshop topic for a business need, please contact Jessica Trujillo at QBB-Coordinator@questaEDF.com.
