GALLUP SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
"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.
GALLUP SBDC 's 2010 CLIENT OF THE YEAR
2010 Success Client : Total Office Solutions. Owner: Kathleen Begay
Located at: 401 W. Coal Ave. Gallup, NM 87301
|
Kathy Begay's Total Office Solutions, a Navajo female-owned business, is a full-service office/furniture supply company. Ms. Begay's business plan includes servicing a wide range of customers, including corporations, the Navajo Nation and other government agencies. It also addresses the market for environmentally friendly office supplies and furniture.
The company has a threefold competitive edge. First, it was the initial office supply company in the area to offer online ordering and expedited delivery. This established it as a unique entity in the Gallup marketplace. Second, its website is user friendly, facilitating online ordering and purchasing. Third, its sales team conducts one-on-one training with clients to familiarize them with the ordering process.
In July 2008 Kathy Begay bought the majority interest in Total Office Solutions and moved the business from Vanderwagon, New Mexico to Gallup, where she sought counseling and training from the Gallup SBDC. According to SBDC Director Dan Sanchez, "Total Office Solutions has had great sales growth through excellent customer service. Their greatest asset is their knowledge of the needs and requirements of their customers in the surrounding areas."
As well as establishing Total Office Solutions as an SBA certified 8(a) contractor, Ms. Begay has recently been certified as a HUB (Historically Underutilized) business. With the approval of her 8(a) certification, Ms. Begay plans to open an additional sales office in Albuquerque by 2012.
Ms. Begay says, "The SBDC has been very helpful in providing feedback on my business plan, managerial procedures and financial situations. I also received assistance in understanding the QuickBooks program. The staff gave me some very valuable resource information for CPA’s and for the U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) certification program. I also participated in a number of workshops that helped me to improve our business operations through the establishment of “best practice” methods that meet the requirements of our customers.."
Contact Information:
Kathy Begay
401 W. Coal Ave. Gallup, NM 87301
PH: (505) 726-4881
email: kathy@tosnm.com
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) 871-6544
Eastern Agency Regional Business Development Office (505) 905-6400
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)
106 West Highway 66
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 722-2220
(505) 863-6006 fax
Hours: 8 am to 5 pm, M-F
sbdc@gallup.unm.edu
SBDC STAFF
Dan Sanchez, Director
dsanche5@unm.edu
Marcia Silversmith, Administrative Assistant II
marcia@unm.edu
**The Gallup SBDC is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration**
