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"Building New Mexico's Economy One Business at a Time."
Whether you are currently a small business owner or looking into entrepreneurship, the Small Business Development Center at the University of New Mexico-Gallup (SBDC) can help you climb and manage the ladder of success. The SBDC offers FREE one-on-one consulting, training courses, and government procurement assistance for northwestern New Mexico businesses. The SBDC would also like to highlight that all client information is strictly confidential.
SBDC staff invites you to visit the office at:
103 West Highway 66, Gallup, NM 87301
505.722.2220 e-mail: sbdc@gallup.unm.edu
Elsie Sanchez, Director and Small Bus Consultant
Dan Sanchez,MBA, Business Advisor (no relation to Elsi)
Marcia Silversmith, Admin. Asst.
**The Gallup SBDC is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration**
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JOHN EASTON,owner/operator of LEWIS & CLARKS EXPEDITIONS, a Truck Pilot Escort Service, was selected by the Gallup SBDC as its Success Client of the Year for 2008.
John's story is an inspirational allegory of an individual afflicted by adversity but not giving up his dream of owning his own business.
John suffered a series of very debilitating injuries over a 15-year period while simultaneously experiencing progressive hearing loss attributed to his Vietnam War service.
By the time he recuperated sufficiently to return to the workforce, he was in dire need of a hearing aid which he could not afford. He turned to the NM Dept of Vocational Rehab (DVR) for assistance and they funded the hearing tool. With improved hearing he beganlooking at employment opportunities and soon started part-time work assisting truck pilot/escort drivers. He liked the work and started with short hauls, gradually increasing to several hundred mile drives. Also, having been confined to his home for so many years, he found doing cross-country drives exhilarating.
John became aware of the need for pilot escort services and recognized the opportunity to own his own business. He started taking the necessary classes and within a few months completed the certification requirements for pilot escort. Once certified, he applied to DVR for start-up business financing.
DVR referred John to the SBDC for a Business Plan. With the SBDC's assistance, he completed the required business plan that convinced DVR his proposed business venture was viable. The plan was approved along with funding for a used van, equipment and supplies.
John has been in business for over one year and growth has increased steadily. He is currently looking to purchase another vehicle and hiring another driver to meet the growing demand.
Of his venture, John says “after all my medical setbacks, it sure feels good to be independent again.” Of his association with the SBDC, John states, “I have my doubts that I would have been able to complete the DVR business plan package without the SBDC’s expertise, guidance and assistance. DVR accepted and approved the plan the very first time I submitted it. I am very grateful for the SBDC’s on-going assistance, caring support, and helping me not only become independent again, but actually owning my own business."
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The UNM-Gallup Small Business Development Center (SBDC) holds office hours in Zuni, NM on the third Wednesday of every month. Time: 10 AM to 4 PM - Call (505) 722-2220 for appointment.
The Gallup SBDC office also recommends the following resources:
University of New Mexico-Gallup Branch,(505) 863-7500
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at UNM , (505) 277-2216
Gallup-McKinley Chamber of Commerce,(505) 722-2228
Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments,(505) 722-4327
The Navajo Nation Office of Economic Development, 928) 871-7390
City of Gallup, (505) 863-1255
American Indian Chamber of Commerce,(505) 766-9545
N.M. Department of Veteran Services
For more information on any of our events, please call the Gallup SBDC office:(505) 722-2220.
University of New Mexico-Gallup
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
103 West Highway 66
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 722-2220
(505) 863-6006 fax
Hours: 8 am�5 pm, M-F
sbdc@gallup.unm.edu
SBDC STAFF
Elsie Sanchez Director & Business Counselor
esanchez@cia-g.com
Dan Sanchez, Business Advisor
dsanche5@unm.edu
Marcia Silversmith, Administrative Assistant II
marcia@unm.edu
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