(Taos, New Mexico)

Jan Mellor owner of “the taos gallery” has been selected as one of New Mexico’s Small Business Development Centers (NMSBDC) outstanding clients. Jan is one of 20 client businesses of the states Small Business Development Centers that has been designated an exceptional “star” client.

A kickoff event started at the State Capital where the “Success Clients” show cased their businesses and were also recognized on the Senate and House of Representatives floor. An awards banquet held at the La Fonda in Santa Fe focused on honoring the chosen businesses that the NMSBDC Network assists. Jan Mellor will be recognized throughout the year at various events and publications on the local, state and national level.

Jan moved to the United States from England with a background in education, art, literature and business. Jan’s associations with the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) begin in Elmira, New York where her consulting business was a success. She became a workshop leader for the SBDC and achieved the prestigious recognition of "Women In Business Advocate of the Year". Jan was aware of the National Association of Small Business Development Centers and the business assistance they provide nationwide. “I moved to New Mexico in 2000 and I reconnected with the SBDC and Julianna Barbee and have never looked back, she has helped me redefine my business, given advise, referrals, utilized my skills as a workshop presenter and most importantly given me unending, unconditional support, especially when I took other jobs as I didn't think I could make it on my own, says Jan.“The SBDC is always there constructively for me in so many ways.”

Jan has been building her business in the area of the arts for the past 8 years. She has worked in public relations, tourism, and as a workshop presenter. She also volunteers on numerous art and tourism boards. With the opening of the Taos Gallery Jan’s vision of owning not just a gallery but a space that encourages growth of the artist it represents. “The time is right ,it seems, for the venue we are creating: an interactive artspace where people from all different walks of life can come to learn, create, connect with, and experience great art! “ reflects, Owner, Jan Mellor.

By honoring the artistic foundation laid by the art legends a century ago, the taos gallery is committed to continuing and cultivating the legacy of fine arts in Taos. Jan also supports the new and emerging voices of Taos’. Building an open and honest relationship with the artists and creating positive partnerships in the community is a priority for Jan.

“Jan Mellor has a story to tell, it is her story as a successful entrepreneur, my job is to challenge my clients beyond the possibilities and discover their potential, this seems to always open a new door to a more profound purpose---not all clients open that door because it takes a lot of planning, learning, determination, discipline, and passion.” says Julianna Barbee, Director of the SBDC at Northern New Mexico College. “Jan’s artistic entrepreneurial beat is creating a powerful peaceful new energy in the art world.”

The taos gallery, located in the heart of historic downtown Taos, New Mexico, includes a director, manager and sales consultant and is a 3,000 sq. ft. gallery. The gallery proudly represents and supports artists, and currently represents 23 award winning regional and national artists. The taos gallery is an interactive arts space that houses a wide range of fine art and offers a location for workshops, demonstrations, events, seminars, and 87 musical and theatrical performances

“Hard work, perseverance, working with specialists like the team at the SBDC, following my instincts all with integrity have all got me to this place of being seen as a successful business woman at the local, state, national, and international levels. I could not have done it without the SBDC and look forward to a long successful relationship with them,” Says Jan.

The NMSBDC is part of the National Association of Small Business Development Centers and is launching its 20 years of service celebration. More than 80,000 New Mexico Small Businesses have utilized the states SBDC’s for business development, entrepreneurial training workshops and one on one assistance. The NMSBDC has assisted clients in obtaining nearly $499 million in capital. The NMSBDC remains ahead of the national averages for return on investment.