Las Vegas Small Business Development Center
2011 Client of the Year
Party Plaza
Jonathan Gutierrez & Zabrina Sandoval
Whether you already own a small business or are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, the Small Business Development Center at Luna Community College can help you climb the ladder of success. The SBDC offers FREE management consulting, small business training, and government procurement assistance for northeastern New Mexico businesses. Our service delivery area is San Miguel, Mora, Colfax, and Guadalupe counties.
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Know the Laws of a Home-Based Business
To View the UNM-BBER Reports plese click the following links:
UNM-BBER San Miguel County Assessment
UNM-BBER Executive Summary
LCC SBDC 2011 Client of the Year!!!
PARTY PLAZA, LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO
Le Pop Kettle Corn LLC, started out as the dream of a young entrepreneur who believed he had the attributes it would take to own his own business. In November of 2008, Jonathan Gutierrez decided the time was right to go for his dream and contacted the Las Vegas SBDC for assistance. The SBDC helped Jonathan develop a business plan and also linked him to Help NM and Accion NM for assistance with funding. He started small, selling Kettle Corn at local fairs and events in Las Vegas and surrounding areas and was successful making a profit his first summer. Jonathan learned very early on that first summer, that he would need to diversify if he wanted to grow his business. So he began to purchase additional equipment and add other services in preparation for the following summer. He also realized that his biggest asset to his business was his ability to connect with people and to Logistics. In preparation for his expansion, Jonathan also felt that the name “Le Pop Kettle Corn” limited his business and so he changed the name of his business to Party Plaza LLC, and now he does equipment rental and event planning in addition to selling the kettle corn.
Party Plaza entered its second year doing business and had some amazing gains in profit increasing this past year improving by more than 300% of the first year’s profits. Jonathan has been able to hire at least 2 part time employees during his first two years and added a third part time employee this last year. Party Plaza has also volunteered its service to organizations such as Helping Hands, United Way, San Miguel County DWI Program, Guadalupe County Fair, or just individuals seeking assistance and others in an effort to make a difference in the community. “I can never turn down and opportunity to volunteer or commit services or donations on any level,” says Jonathan.
Party Plaza just finished its third season in the business and had even greater gains in profit than before and is expecting to be even more profitable in year four. This industry is comprised of mostly mom and pop type establishments and Party Plaza has been successful in creating a more corporate image and approaching each situation in a professional manner, negotiating longer term contracts and acquiring new contracts such as with air shows and music festivals. “This never would have been possible without the help of three resources; the SBDC, Help NM and Accion NM,” says Jonathan. “I was able to get the services that helped me to start my business for FREE from the SBDC.” I plan on continuing to use the services of the SBDC for future ventures and to take advantage of their trainings.” "The SBDC has been so valuable in making my dream come true, I can’t thank them enough for their help and continued support!”
Party Plaza has really opened the door for future opportunities that Jonathan plans on exploring. The experience he has gained and what he has learned is instrumental in moving forward into bigger territories. Starting and operating the business with the help of the SBDC has given Jonathan the confidence to pursue bigger dreams. This past year, Jonathan was awarded the “Go Getter of the Year” award from American Promotional West and he has received numerous letters of appreciation for his service to the communities he has worked in. So what’s next for this budding entrepreneur? “Plans for a website are already in the making and continued support from the SBDC in creating a marketing plan will keep me focused on my goals,” says Jonathan. “Party Plaza is going to continue to pursue bigger contracts in bigger territories as well as explore commercial real estate. I hope to have purchased my first piece of commercial property within the next 5 years”, an excited Jonathan said.
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2010 Client of the Year
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2009 Client of the Year
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The Las Vegas Small Business Development Center (SBDC)is located on the campus of
Luna Community College . The SBDC staff is committed to providing direct assistance, entrepreneurial education, and resource links for potential and existing small business to strengthen the economy of northeastern New Mexico. Call for more information about our free counseling on the following business topics:
Business Plan Development
Business Financing
Business Start-up Issues
Business Expansion
Product Diversification
Loan Packages and Information
Nationwide Research Assistance
Local Business Partners
Las Vegas/San Miguel Economic Development Corporation
Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce
La Jicarita Enterprise Community
Mora Chamber of Commerce
Raton Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Raton/Colfax Chamber of Commerce
Cimarron Chamber of Commerce
Springer Chamber of Commerce
Eagle Nest Chamber of Commerce
Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce
Northeastern New Mexico Educational Foundation "The Learning Center"
Santa Rosa Information Center
Adelante Resource Conservation and Development Council
LCC Springer Satellite Campus (575) 483-5009
LCC Santa Rosa Satellite Campus (505) 472-1400
LCC Mora Satellite Campus (575) 387-3143
The RESOURCE LIBRARY has a wide selection of resource materials on everything having to do with starting, owning, and operating a small business. This includes computers, business software, videos, magazines, SBA publications, newspapers, books, Thomas Registers, Encylopedia of Associations, tax information, recordkeeping information, and much more.
The SBDC also provides training and educational services in the form of workshops and seminars on business related topics. For a detailed listing on our upcoming trainings please visit our events calendar.
For more information on any of our events, please call (505) 454-2582 or (800) 588-7232 ext. 1759.
SBDC Staff
Don Bustos, Director dbustos@luna.edu
Melissa Gold, Business Specialist mgold@luna.edu
Theresa Romero, Administrative Assistant tromero@luna.edu
Contact
Small Business Development Center
Luna Community College
366 Luna Drive
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-2582
(800) 588-7232 ext. 1759
(505) 454-5326 fax
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, M-F
Office hours available in Raton, Mora, Santa Rosa, Pecos, Angel Fire, and Eagle Nest. Call us to make an appointment.
The New Mexico SBDC is partially funded under Cooperative Agreement No. 11-603001-Z-0032-21 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsor(s)’ or participants' opinions, findings, conclusions, recommendations, products or services. "All of SBA's programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Special arrangements for the handicapped will be made if requested in advance."
