CARLSBAD SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Carlsbad SBDC is proud to announce our choice for "Client of the Year for 2009" - Ms. Elaine Mead Murphy.

In 2005, Candlewood Cards & Gifts in Carlsbad's downtown shopping district was a business in crisis. By 2008, however, it was voted ''#1 Gift Store'' in Carlsbad. Owner Elaine Mead Murphy credits the New Mexico State University Carlsbad SBDC for the turnaround.

In May 2005, Ms. Murphy was considering buying a retail store, and she was seeking help in examining its books. She visited SBDC Director Larry Coalson, who provided the in-depth analysis she needed, and soon she was able to purchase the business. “In addition,” said Ms. Murphy, “my then-manager wanted to buy the store form me down the road, and Larry and the staff helped me to structure the potential deal.”

However, the unexpected happened: the manager and staff suddenly left the business. “I was overwhelmed,” said Ms. Murphy. “I had no experience in retail. But I quickly learned I was not alone. The SBDC stepped in and helped me with everything.

In the past four years, the business has changed significantly in positive ways, and Elaine Murphy attributes much of this to the SBDC’s help. “The staff has given me ongoing help in marketing, personnel issues and computer problems. My customer service has improved greatly, and so has the whole ambiance of the store. Larry’s assistance has been invaluable, and has always helped me resolve my concerns. He comes in regularly to see how things are going and responds immediately to my requests for advice.”

Would Elaine Murphy recommend the SBDC to others considering buying or improving a business? “I certainly would,” she says. “Whatever the needs of a business person, the SBDC will be there to assist.”

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Whether you already own a small business or are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, the Small Business Development Center at New Mexico State University can help you climb the ladder of success. The SBDC offers FREE management consulting, training courses, and government procurement assistance for southeastern New Mexico businesses.

Take advantage of our FREE services.

The Carlsbad Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) offers:
• FREE One-On-One Business Counseling
• Financial Analysis
• Marketing Assistance

Local Business Partners
Carlsbad Dept of Development (575) 887-6562
Sandia Laboratories, Carlsbad Office (575) 236-0026
County of Eddy (575) 887-9511
City of Carlsbad (575) 887-1191
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce(575) 887-6516
Artesia Chamber of Commerce (575) 746-2744

For more information on any of our events, please call (575) 885-9531.

SBDC Staff
Director, Larry Coalson, MBA
Joined the SBDC in September of 1989 as the director, when the program was contracted to the Carlsbad Department of Development from New Mexico State University. The program reverted to NMSU on July 1, 1999 and the staff was retained.Larry attended NMSU and received a BS in Agriculture in 1970. A Masters in Business Administration was awarded in 1989 from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Larry also received the Certificated Financial Planner designation from the College for Financial Planning, Denver Colorado. In addition he is active with the Heights Lions Club and has served as President and Treasurer. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Otis Mutual Domestic Water and Sewer Company and serves as the board Secretary / Treasurer.

Assistant Director, Lisa Chavez, MBA
Joined the SBDC in June 2004. Her specialty includes finance and accounting.Previous work experience includes an assistant manager for a retail store, worked with Dept. of Defense in both the Inventory and the Accounts Receivable department and was a senior loan secretary for a commercial bank.Lisa attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where she received her BA with honors in Business Administration with a minor in finance. Lisa also received a Master's of Business Administration at NMSU Las Cruces. In addition she is certified as an SBDC business consultant and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Administrative Secretary II, Vada Mata
Joined the SBDC in August of 2009 as Administrative Secretary. She has an Associates in Business Office Technology in Word Processing.Vada has 12 years of retail business experience as well as 8 years of business office experience. She worked in the Student Services Department of NMSUC for 3 years and 1 year with the Community Education Program helping register students for classes.

Contact
Small Business Development Center
New Mexico State University-Carlsbad
221 South Canyon Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-9531
(575) 885-1515 fax
lcoalson@cavern.nmsu.edu
lchavez@cavern.nmsu.edu
vmata@cavern.nmsu.edu
Hours: 8 am–5 pm, Monday-Thursday, 8 am-12 noon, Friday

Visit our NMSUC website for addition information: eddysbdc.nmsu.edu