NM

The Agenda for New Mexico's entrepreneurs

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in New Mexico. It’s critical that state lawmakers enact short- and long-term policies to support and empower entrepreneurs by guaranteeing their access to capital, an infrastructure that can support their ability to offer quality jobs, and their ability to compete fairly now and in the future. To achieve these goals, policymakers should consider the following policy proposals. 

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Small Business Majority Supports Health Care Affordability Fund in New Mexico

On January 29, Small Business Majority's Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash submitted a letter of support for HB 7, the Health Care Affordability Fund, to the New Mexico House Committee on Appropriations.  This legislation would keep funding levels constant for the Healthcare Affordability Fund, which would ensure the Fund could continue providing affordable coverage to our communities, particularly our small employers. 

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Small Business Majority testifies in support of New Mexico Paid Family and Medical Leave Act

On January 24, Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash testified in front of the New Mexico House Health and Human Services Committee in support of HB 6, which would create a state-run paid family and medical leave program. 

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New Mexico small businesses support state-run paid family & medical leave program

Publisher: 
Small Business Majority
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Date: 
Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Small business owners know it makes good business sense to care for their employees as this is crucial to hiring and retaining a skilled workforce. However, many small employers struggle to provide benefits like paid family and medical leave, putting them at a disadvantage when competing for talent with large corporations that can afford to offer robust benefits on their own. As state policymakers consider a number of proposals for the 2024 legislative session, a new opinion poll reveals that small businesses support a state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance program in New Mexico.

Sheyenne Sky

Sheyenne Sky, a Diné entrepreneur in Santa Fe, holds advanced degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Her textile collection, LAND+OBJECT, redefines 'Indigenous Luxury' by intricately weaving traditional wisdom into its tapestries. Meanwhile, her consultancy, HODZA.mgmt, specializes in crafting bespoke business growth strategies for Native entrepreneurs.

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Shayai Lucero

Shayai Lucero was born and raised on the reservations of the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna. In 2008, Shayai graduated from the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. It took Shayai 16 years from her high school graduation to finish college, but during that time she was Miss Indian World (1997), was the Tribal Liaison for Native Visions Arts and Communications (1998-2001) and was the Executive Assistant for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council (2001-2003).

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Kristen Worthington

Kristen Worthington has been the owner of Worthington Farms in Mesilla Park, NM since 2019. As a small pecan farmer, she uses her pecans to create innovative merchandise that is sold at farmer’s market/festivals and at local retail stores. Worthington Farms provides shelling services and custom manufacturing to other small farmers in the area.  One of the ways she gives back to the community is being the president of the Las Cruces Pecan Festival. The festival runs each spring, and all proceeds go to the Wee Warriors Project that helps medically fragile newborns in New Mexico.

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Javier Casillas

Javier Casillas, the founder and CEO of Live Well Mattress & Furnishing Centres and Be You, But Louder Marketing Consultation, offers a unique blend of experience and insight. With a decade in sleep retail and over two decades in marketing, Javier's expertise stems from hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the business landscape. His leadership at Live Well Mattress & Furnishing Centres was recognized with the Business of the Year award from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in 2021.

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Bernina Gray

Bernina Gray is a Diné entrepreneur, mother and future impact investing catalyst. She is from Lukachukai, Arizona, a town located on the Diné reservation. In 2018, she embarked on a transformative path by quitting her job in customer service at a financial institution and enrolling in a coding boot camp with CNM Ingenuity, where she earned a certificate in Full-stack Web Development. This drive led her to a software developer internship, where she honed her skills and knowledge with a local non-profit.

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Galina Kofchock

Galina Kofchock is CFO and co-founder of Osceola Inc (DBA OE Solar), an Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Solar Firm headquartered in Albuquerque. Osceola Inc launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the fastest growing solar companies in New Mexico.

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