Small Business Development Center at NMSU-Alamogordo

Offering small business counseling, training and resource referrals to existing businesses, start ups, entrepreneurs and students. All assistance is confidential and free of charge.

Areas of expertise include business planning, research, financing options, accounting, marketing, sales and management.

Alamogordo's 2010 Client of the Year

Olive Branch Coffee, Inc. Alamogordo's 2010 Client of the Year

The Alamogordo Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo, has named Tom and Linda Olive of Olive Branch Coffee, Inc. as its outstanding clients of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Olive were honored in a special ceremony at the State Capitol.

Tom and Linda Olive opened Olive Branch Coffee in 1996, and are thriving, helped by a series of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans obtained through the assistance of the Alamogordo SBDC.

Olive Branch began as a small coffee shop with a limited menu. Two years later, the Olives purchased their first coffee roaster with SBA guaranteed funding. The Olives' became certified coffee roasters by the Specialty Coffee Association of America and began roasting Brazilian, Columbian, Guatemalan and Costa Rican coffees. With the coffee business becoming extremely competitive, the Olives decided to specialize in flavored coffees.

Mr. Olive first visited the Alamogordo SBDC in 2001. He attended a business planning course at NMSU-A and developed a formal business plan. Mr. Olive said, “I learned how to run a business by attending the SBDC small business class. It helped me to listen to other business owners.” During this time, the Olives moved their coffee shop to a new location. The Olives' second SBA loan was approved in 2002 and they were able to purchase the building they'd been leasing. Mr. Olive said, “The SBDC has been extremely helpful to our company. The timely SBA loan had a huge impact.”

Tom and Linda Olive soon developed a line inspired by themes from the Southwest, such as their White Sands Blend, Pinon, Kokopelli Koffee, and Southwest Pecan. The Olives signed an exclusive agreement on the pinon flavor, now their best seller. Since Mr. Olive is a veteran and Otero County has a large military market, the Olives developed two new flavors in honor of the military - Black Jet Java and Raptor Roast. Their coffee blends are featured in two Walmart locations and two Lowe's Pay and Save Grocery locations, as well as available at their coffee shop and online at olivebranchcoffee.com. Special holiday flavors include Pumpkin Spice, Jingle Bell Java, Mistletoe Magic, Frosty’s Favorite and Angel’s Kiss.

In 2008, the Olives were approved for their third SBA loan, which helped them take their entrepreneurial dream even further. They purchased a building and converted it into a coffee-roasting factory.

The Olives continue to be successful with two business locations in Alamogordo, and their company now has nine employees. "Tom and Linda have made good business decisions," says Alamogordo SBDC Director Marcus McKay. "The SBDC has been a resource they have depended on over the years." When asked about future plans, Mr. Olive said, “Although we want to pursue business at a slower pace, our future definitely includes coffee!”

Small Business Development Center
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
2400 N. Scenic Drive
Alamogordo, NM 88310

(575) 439-3660
(575) 439-3819 (fax)
email: infosbdc@nmsua.nmsu.edu

SBDC STAFF:
Vacant Position, Director
Mike Byrnes, Business Analyst
Kathleen Hodgkinson, Administrative Assistant


NM Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP)
(575) 439-3723

NM PTAP STAFF:
Elke Mosholder, Procurement Advisor
email: elke.mosholder@sfcc.edu