If you’re curious about bringing your existing business online, or you’re just starting a business and want to know where to begin, it all starts with a domain: your online address and home on the web. In this session we’ll cover:

• The benefits of owning a domain

• Helpful web terms to know

• How to get the most out of your domain

Looking for a fun and energetic way to start your night? Then join us and celebrate UNM's kickoff of LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

For this special edition of Dancing in the Cave, we are collaborating with UNM's LGBTQ Resource Center, an invaluable family committed to serving the UNM community by providing education, advocacy, and support through events, trainings, and student groups.
The dance party will immediately follow the free concert by Amalia Mondragon/Tereso Perfecto, part of the Maxwell Museum's Courtyard Concert Series.
As such, join the group of students, staff, and faculty that will gather to dance and celebrate outdoors in the museum’s Courtyard.
As Grammy-award winner Jorge Drexler states in his song Bailar en la Cueva, “We [humans] were already making music way before we knew agriculture.” So come celebrate humanity's creativity through movement.
Registration is not required but helpful so that you can suggest dance songs for the collective music playlist!For more info visit our Museum blog!

This event is our premier fundraiser for political advocacy!  After the banner year   we have had, we know the backlash from our opponents will be high! We have a lot of work to do to win School Board and Municipal elections across New Mexico, and the money we raise at this event will be crucial!    Also, this is the most fun you'll have at a political fundraiser all year! Sponsorship, Ticket, and Event information below Check it out! Sales open at 9:00am on May 1 for Sponsorships and 9:00am May 10 for Tickets. Tickets sales must happen in advance of the event, and are available until capacity is reach. All sponsorships and VIP tickets must be purchased online. This event is a 501c(4) fundraiser, donations are not tax-deductible, our political programming is critical to achieving LGBTQ Liberation in policy and elections.

The Basics Of Business Insurance

FEE $10

Business Insurance helps protect business owners from unexpected losses such as property damage, legal liability, and employee-related risks. Navigating your options can be overwhelming and time consuming as there are many different types of insurance out there to choose from. So how can you decide what insurance plan is best for your small business?

Join us for this informative IN PERSON workshop. Key points include:

• Why do we need business insurance?
• Learn about the different types of business insurance available
• What insurance does for you if you get sued
• How to determine which insurance policy is best for your business
• When to contact your insurance company after a problem arises
• How to work with your insurance when you are filing a claim
• How to strategically reduce risk in your business

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Victor Grafe III, Attorney, Victor Grafe Law Firm LLC A law firm that helps New Mexico Business owners do things right, address legal problems, and think strategically about the legal aspects of building and operating a business. Sara Osusky, Business Consultant and Trainer, WESST Rio Rancho Women's Business Center

Co-Sponsor(s):

Please Note: THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED IN PERSON. This training class will be delivered in English.

Learn about the different types of certifications that could create opportunities for your business to secure contracts and grants. This training will review the criteria, regulations, qualifications, documentation, and agency portals to support your certification applications.

• 8a Certification: For organizations that are owned and controlled (51% or more) by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
• ED/WOSB: A small business that is owned (51% or more) by women and is considered economically disadvantaged.
• SD/VOSB: A company that is owned and controlled (51% or more) by a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
• HUBZone: A company level diversity certification referring to the Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program that helps small businesses located in distressed areas gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.

This training is the third in a series of three Government Contracting trainings you can attend.

Other Trainings:

• May 11th, 11:00-12:30PM: Are You Ready to Grow Your Sales with Government Contracts?, register here
• May 25th, 11:00-1:00PM: Getting Your First Federal Contract, register here

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Shirley Bailey, Business Development/Marketing Manager, Zia Engineering & Environmental Consultants, LLC. Ms. Bailey is an expert in Federal Contracting and Certifications. She enjoys sharing the details of contracting and her knowledge about maximizing certifications so that business owners can receive contracting opportunities. Dave Vedera, Regional Manager, WESST Rio Rancho WBC

Co-Sponsor(s): These classes are being delivered in partnership with the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce as part of the 'Rio WESST Business Growth Academy'.

As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your business. It’s also important to have strong customer-focused marketing strategies to reach your audience and turn them into loyal customers. In this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Create a compelling brand

• Define your audience

• Convert customers

• Build loyalty and advocacy

NMOBA Board Member, Jess Shutiva of SeedCrest will throw out the first pitch!

Why are your sales lagging? Are you having trouble closing deals? You don’t have to be an extrovert to be great at sales. It's time to take a look at the way you are communicating with potential clients. Bring your sales questions to this live, interactive Q&A event with our local expert, Eddy Mindlin. He’s got decades of experience and firsthand knowledge as a small business owner. He’s also a certified SCORE mentor.  You'll get individual attention in a small group setting. Fee: Free.

Brought to you by Bank of America

Join Meow Wolf and the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance (HRA) for an inclusive Queer Prom for all ages. We’ve teamed up to invite the young and the young at heart to join us for a night of wholesome nostalgia in the weirdest prom venue around.

No prom would be complete without a theme. Ours is galactic Y2K in honor of Shontez ‘Taz’ Denise Morris, beloved former Meow Wolf employee and HRA board member. See you there, and don’t forget to wear your early-aughts prom best.

All-Inclusive Class To Learn About How Money Works

FEE $10

Financial success in personal life and business generally comes down to doing the right things with your money, which looks a little different for everyone. The goal of this class is to help build a strong understanding of money on a personal level and how that affects your business. Managing your finances doesn't have to be intimidating, and Katey with Primerica is here to show you how.

Join us for this IN-PERSON session to learn the foundations of money management including:

• The basics for creating wealth
• How to plan and save for your future
• The "Rule of 72"
• How to manage your debt

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Katey Klein-Sutton, Regional Vice President, Primerica Financial Services Daniel Serna, Primerica Financial Services Primerica is a financial services company serving the middle-income market in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam. In 1977 they pioneered the "Buy Term and Invest the Difference" philosophy which solves two of the biggest financial needs that nearly every family faces: income protection with term life insurance and saving for the future with a sound investments strategy. Primerica uses their complimentary, confidential, and customized Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) to help clients understand where they are financially and to map out a program to achieve their goals. Sara Osusky, Business Consultant and Trainer, WESST Rio Rancho Women's Business Center

Co-Sponsor(s):

Please Note: THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED IN PERSON. This training class will be delivered in English.

Fee: $ 10.00

• Sat, June 17, 2023, 7:30pm @ Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque
• Sun, June 18, 2023, 3:00pm @ Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe

The Baylor Project

NM Juneteenth is here to celebrate and empower community to look at the wonders of uniqueness, resourcefulness, and uprising! While educating and focusing on how to change the narrative about Black history, Black People, and Black Stereotypes

• Sat, June 17, 2023, 7:30pm @ Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque
• Sun, June 18, 2023, 3:00pm @ Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe

Looking for a fast way to get better marketing results? This one hour Q&A event is local, live, and interactive. It's the perfect format for small business owners who want individual attention in a small group setting.

Come ready with your marketing questions and our local expert will draw on her decades of experience to get you moving in the right direction. It's quick. It's effective. You'll be glad you asked.When it comes to marketing your small business, are you a bit unsure which direction to take? Maybe you have a quick question about branding materials, timing, message, social media, or how to develop a marketing plan. Or maybe you don’t know where to start. Either way, our local marketing experts, will get you moving in the right direction in this highly interactive Q&A style event. With our small group format, you'll get lots of personal attention. It's your best chance to get fast marketing results!

Learn about the basics of Trademark Law

FEE $10

Your business name and brand is vital to your success. It is how others view your business, identify your branding, and associate with your goods and services. A Trademark is a symbol, word, or word(s) legally registered or established to represent a company or product within a state, country, or international market. It is not mandatory for small local businesses to register their trademark, but there are some benefits to doing so. It can prevent future confusion, aid in legal action, protect sales, boost national recognition, and even help you secure funding.

Join us for this informative IN PERSON workshop. We will be covering:

• The definition of a trademark
• The different types of business trademarks
• The process of registering a trademark
• How to enforce your trademark
• How to develop a strong brand you can protect
• What licensing and franchising means for your trademark

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Victor Grafe III, Attorney, Victor Grafe Law Firm LLC A law firm that helps New Mexico Business owners do things right, address legal problems, and think strategically about the legal aspects of building and operating a business. Sara Osusky, Business Consultant and Trainer, WESST Rio Rancho Women's Business Center

Co-Sponsor(s):

Please Note: THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED IN PERSON. This training class will be delivered in English.

Fee: $ 10.00

Learn how to make Reels on Instagram for your business!

FEE $10

Are you interested in learning how to make short videos or photo collages with special effects, music, and other creative tools to promote your business on Facebook and Instagram? Join us IN-PERSON for a deep dive into all of the available tools that the Instagram Reels platform offers your small business to create engaging and eye-catching content that captures the attention of new potential customers and entertains your existing audience. In this class you will learn how to:

• Upload existing photos or videos, or create new photos and videos in the Reels platform
• Add audio to your Reels, and ways to find music inspiration for small businesses
• Using filters on Reels
• Using the new "Add Yours" button feature
• Change the layout of your photos and videos
• Setup recording length, speed, and using the hands-free feature
• Create a perfect transition using align tool
• Using the green screen effect
• How to add a voiceover to your Reel
• How to remix a reel and invite collaborators

Requirement for this class: You must have an existing Instagram business account. I recommend bringing your smartphone to the class so you can follow along with us in your app as I point out the various tools and features above.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Sara Lynn Osusky, Business Consultant and Training Program Coordinator, WESST Rio Rancho WBC Sara is a proud native of Albuquerque and joined the WESST Team in 2022. She is passionate about life-long learning, helping others, and connecting her community. Sara has over 15 years’ experience in retail sales, customer service, print/digital marketing, and project management. She has been actively networking for over 7 years in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, NM.

Co-Sponsor(s):

Please Note: THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED IN PERSON. This training class will be delivered in English.

Discover how to create a collaborative environment where everyone is responsible for design. You will go through design challenges and sprints that can be incorporated into any workplace or startup, to unlock creativity and innovative thinking.
In this session we’ll introduce:

• The principles of the design thinking process

• Applying the design thinking process to solve problems

• The basics of prototyping your ideas

Join us for our June ArtWalk, hosted as part of this month’s Mercado Southside. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and artistic spirit of Santa Fe and its Southside, as we showcase over 50 talented local artists, creators, and Southside entrepreneurs.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a supporter of local businesses, or simply looking for a delightful family outing, ArtWalk Santa Fe welcomes everyone. Best of all, admission is free! Mark your calendar and bring the whole familia for an evening of creativity, inspiration, and community.

Join us for our closing T-dance party at Tumbleroot featuring DJ Raashan Ahmad + more

DIY- Licensing and Registering Your Business

Fee $10

You Got This! Are you ready to do it yourself to register and license your new business in New Mexico. This training will introduce you to steps to begin operating your business. Join us to learn about:

• Deciding between a Sole Proprietorship (SP) and Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• How to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
• How to register your business with the NM Secretary of State (NM SOS)
• How to set up your NM Tax and Revenue account (Gross Receipts Tax)
• How to obtain your business license (Rio Rancho as our example)

If after this training you have any questions, we have resources to walk you through this process step by step through 1:1 counseling.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals. Please notify Sara Osusky at 505-892-1238 when you register for the class, or no later than 24 hours prior to your class, so that WESST can make sure necessary accommodations are available. All programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Speaker(s): Dave Vedera, Regional Manager, WESST Rio Rancho Women's Business Center Sara Osusky, Business Consultant and Trainer, WESST Rio Rancho Women's Business Center

Please Note: THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED ONLINE. AN INTERNET CONNECTION AND A COMPUTER (or highly capable tablet-type device) ARE NECESSARY. Video conferencing instructions will be sent to you after you have registered for the class. This training class will be delivered in English.

Understand the attributes and behaviors that make the best managers. Learn, practice, and build your skills as a coach for your team. Provide meaningful and developmental feedback to your team to maximize their performance and development. In this workshop we’ll cover:

• The skills of great managers

• How to coach your team

• Tips for providing positive feedback