Southwest Small Business Development Center "Building New Mexico's Economy One Business at a Time." A partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration Are you a small business owner or are you thinking about becoming an entrepreneur? The Small Business Development Center at Western New Mexico University can help you climb the ladder of success. The Southwestern New Mexico SBDC offers FREE management consulting and training courses for Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna counties. Left photo: Ramon Sanchez and his Family/Employees EL REY MEAT MARKET SELECTED AS 2008 SBDC CLIENT OF THE YEAR Remember that old political saying, “Where’s the Beef?” Deming residents have their answer with El Rey Meat Market. Since 2004, owner Ramon Sanchez has been slicing up beef orders to the small western town of 15,000 residents. Recently, he expanded his businesses from raw meats to cooked dishes with the Las Casuelas Steak House, serving a variety of traditional Mexican recipes. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Sanchez moved at a young age to Deming with his family. At 14, after moving to California with some relatives, he began his food service career working full-time for a seafood packing company. Ten years later, the company promoted him to apprentice counter clerk, and his love for meat cutting was born. “We here at our store pride ourselves on our customer service and giving the people what they want,” said Sanchez. That pride goes back to his position at Mrs. Gooch’s health food store, which would later be known as Whole Foods. As a night manager, Sanchez worked the next sixteen years dreaming of opening his own meat market and grocery store. In 2004, after much persistence by his mother to return Deming, Sanchez moved back to New Mexico to begin building his dream. “I didn’t know I was ready until I came back,” Sanchez said. That new determination meant quick results. El Rey opened its doors on February 19, 2004. He was assisted by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “I knew what to do, but not where to go,” said Sanchez. “I was lucky to run into Steve Armendariz.” Armendariz was an advisor at the SBDC at the time. They worked together on licensing, permits, and a financial package. Both having experience in the food industry, their projections came out very close. “Steve made things easier, and helped with any questions I had,” said Sanchez. The store now includes a small grocery section aside from the fresh cuts of beef, poultry, pork, and customers can purchase seven days a week. In its fourth year, the business remains a family affair. Ramon’s wife, Marta, operates the register and scales. His daughter Edica assists with the bookkeeping, and son Ramon Jr. is learning the meat cuts and display techniques. His mother, who insisted on her son’s return to Deming, remains his store’s inspiration. Las Casuelas, which opened its doors on May 19, serves lunch and dinner. It is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. El Rey Meat Market is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Southwest Small Business Development Center Western New Mexico University Besse-Forward Global Resource Center 817 West 12th Street P.O. Box 680, Silver City NM 88062 Voice: (575) 538-6320 Fax: (575) 538-6341 Deming Office Mimbres Learning Center 2300 East Pine (575)546-6556 x106 sbdc@wnmu.edu International business information: www.NMIBA.com Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday • Director: Mary Vigil-Tarazoff • Business Advisor: Victor Carbajal • Special Projects: Linda McArthur • Administrative Assistant: Christine Staley Don't let your business problems get you down. The SBDC can offer the kind of help that can make your business more successful. If you need to: • Improve your business and management skills • Create alternatives for solving business problems • Develop new products or services • Investigate new business opportunities or If you want to: • Explore international business opportunities • Understand financial and regulatory requirements • Learn how to develop a comprehensive business plan • Learn effective record-keeping and inventory control procedures Goals • Serving the southwest four county area of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna • Helping existing businesses become more successful • Helping new businesses get off to a good start • Providing practical professional expertise Counseling – FREE One-on-one counseling on a wide range of business topics including: • Business start-ups • Business plans • Feasibility studies • Organization planning and analysis • Business loan packaging • Budget and cash flow analysis • Marketing and sales planning • Computer and MIS systems • Accounting and taxes • Managing people Resources - FREE • Volunteer and paid counseling from business and industry leaders • Limited access to on-site experts in technical areas such as legal, financial, and investment services • Free access to computers and specialized computer programs to aid you in the operation of your business International Trade - FREE • Import/export operations • Training and education • NAFTA Institute Workshops A nominal fee may be charged for workshops, and subjects may include: • Computer literacy • Business development and expansion Contract training We will custom design specific workshops and training seminars for you and your employees. Nominal fees are charged. Categories include: • Management • Human relations • Employee training • Learning skills • Writing skills Partners IBA (International Business Accelerator) 575-589-2200 SIGRED (Silver City-Grant County Economic Development) 575-534-1045 Western New Mexico University 575-538-6336 Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce 575-538-3785 Town of Silver City 575-538-3731 New Mexico Economic Development Department 1-800-374-3061 Mimbres Region Arts Council 575-538-2505