New Mexico Women Magazine Current Issue

April 2005

“I’m Loving It”
Pearlene Garcia of LPG Enterprises
Photography by Kyle Zimmerman
Hair and Make-up by

FEATURES

A New Chapter for Success
by Connie Thompson
Align your personal and professional goals.

Keynote Speaker: Thelma Domenici

What is Stress? by Beth Donahue

The Gulfstream Group by Victoria Groves
Business development, property management, and more.

The 12th Annual Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New Mexico

Lee Moberly by Amber Hartley
The New York Life Phoenix Award

Beth Ulibarri by Amber Hartley
The Atkinson Award

COLUMNS

The Inner You
by Marilyn J. Walker, Ph.D.

Young Women to Watch
by Melissa Brandenburg

Great Reads
by Michelle Miller Allen

DEPARTMENTS

From My Desk
by Jill Duval

Starting Up

Women on the Up & Up

Worthy of Note

What is Stress by Beth Donahue

What is your reaction to dirty dishes?
How do you feel about flying, or riding a roller coaster?
What happens when you see George Bush on television?
How do you feel when your children or grandchildren come to visit, or come to stay?
What happens when you think of a warm, sunny beach?

All of these questions can cause some type of feeling, whether good, bad, happy or sad, tense
or relaxed.

We all experience stress, but how do you define it? Stress is your reaction to an event, happening, or circumstance. You experience reactions through your thoughts, feelings, and expectations. Events do not cause stress, but your reaction and interpretation of those events do. One half of all stress is imagined. Stress is our reaction to daily life; your perception or idea of what is happening to you.

Many of us have walked alone to a car in a parking garage. You hear footsteps and feel like someone is behind you; as you walk faster your heart pounds, your palms get sweaty, and your breathing gets heavier. You reach your car and jump in feeling anxious and tense. No one was behind you. It was all in your imagination.

The following is a true story about a worker in the rail yards who checked boxcars for break-ins. During a routine check he found a freezer car with its door ajar. When he jumped into the car to investigate, the train suddenly moved forward. The door of the boxcar slammed shut locking him inside in total darkness.

The door couldn’t be opened from the inside. Consider the situation from the trapped worker’s viewpoint. He thought he was locked in a fully functioning freezer car. In fact, the freezer car was not working. Workers had gone for a replacement part and hadn’t returned prior to the train’s leaving the terminal. Hours later, when the train arrived at another terminal, the railway worker was found dead in the freezer car. He had scribbled several messages on the boxcar wall: “It’s getting colder and colder. I feel like I am freezing to death. I can’t hold on much longer. These will be my last words.”

When an autopsy was performed, the railway worker showed all the symptoms of a person who had frozen to death. However, it was later documented that the temperature in the freezer car never dropped below 55 degrees. It is our perception of a situation that causes stressor even death. It is how we think and feel about what is happening to us that causes our stress. The secret to managing stress is to take control. Taking control means taking action to monitor your thoughts, perceptions, and feelings.

Beth Donahue, MH is a solutions- oriented life coach and hypnotherapist in private practice and can be reached at (505) 248-9700 or at NMWBethDonahue@aol.com.

Leadership
by Jill Duval

The women in this issue certainly exemplify the word leadership. They are take-charge women with vision and tenacity, deserving of our applause. They are role models for our young women, as well as all aspiring entrepreneurs.

Construction is the field where we have seen the most significant growth. There were no women in any aspect of construction on our Top 25 list in 1994 when we started the Top 25 Women-Owned Business Awards in New Mexico. This year we have five companies involved in some aspect of construction representing residential and commercial, ranging from electrical and garage door installation to entire project design and implementation. In the early ’90s, the Top 25 companies were mostly in the computer and travel industries, and in retail.

This year, at our Top 25 event, the McDonald’s tradition lives on. Twelve years ago, our first Top 25 list included a McDonald’s owner, since retired; and this year, Pearlene Garcia, another McDonald’s owner is on our list and is featured on our cover. Half of our honorees reported their first jobs were in the retail food industry in some capacity. At least three of our Top 25ers started their work lives working at a McDonald’s. Maybe it’s in the water, but more than likely the training (from McDonald’s) lays a good foundation and encourages a great work ethic.

When we asked our Top 25 what advice they would give others, at least half talked about the importance of good staff, surrounding themselves with smart people. It’s truewe just can’t do this business ownership gig without many great people in our corners.

Congratulations to each of youon your achievements and for your vision and perseverance. Thank you, once again, to our wonderful sponsors who have helped make this dynamic event a terrific inspiration to all New Mexico women in the business community.

"I'm Loving It"

Pearlene Garcia was in high school when she had her first date with husband-to-be, Larry, a “wild,” smart, and handsome college guy who drove a red Chevelle with black leather interior. Pearlene had never taken a trip on the Sandia Peak Tramway and that was where they went. It was romantic and beautiful and exciting.

When they came down the mountain, Pearlene was hungry for a hamburger, but there was no place open since their date was on Thanksgiving Day. They would make it up to each other years later when they earned their first of what would become eighteen McDonald’s franchises.

Pearlene is the youngest child of Tom and Julie Silva and was raised in Albuquerque’s North Valley with her brother Tom and sister Julie (Condon). She is a graduate of Valley High School where she was a cheerleader, involved in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of Americaan association of marketing students), and elected State DECA Sweetheart. She was also working a part-time job at Sears where she was asked to serve on the fashion board.

Throughout high school, she continued dating Larry. Her fashion sense and experience led her to consider studying fashion merchandising in Dallas. However, love prevailed and she stayed in Albuquerque and married Larry. From the beginning, Larry and Pearlene were partners who dreamed of going into business for themselves. They began to research the idea of a franchise business. Larry worked for PNM and the Santa Fe Railroad and Pearlene worked for the state, but their dream was always in sight.

They soon found their first franchise Dunkin’ Donuts. They quit their jobs and left for five weeks training on donut making while Kenric, who was then less than a year old, stayed behind with his grandparents. Larry wanted Pearlene to be his partner. They trained side by sideshe had to know the same things he did so that, if something were to happen to him, she’d know what to do. Pearlene says proudly, “In a time when it was still ‘a man’s world,’ Larry believed that this business would be ‘ours’ not just his.”

After passing a test at the end of training, they were up and running in a year. They built a new building on Central near Rio Grande. Larry sold his beloved Chevelle and they commuted from Belen every day. Most of the time it was just the two of them, often working day and night, until Larry fell asleep one night at the wheel. They realized that they would have to make some time for rest, and that meant putting their trust in someone else to handle what they had built together. Finally, they could take Sundays off.

Kenric grew up helping out in the business. He would pour coffee and wipe tables and became a favorite of their regular clientele. He learned his parents’ work ethic by doing and followed in their footsteps. Kenric is now a proud owner-operator of six McDonald’s restaurants of his own.

When they decided to move on from donuts, they set their sights on McDonald’s. It wasn’t going to be easy. There was a waiting list for franchises. It wasn’t something that someone could just buy their way into. A McDonald’s had to be earned.

So they applied. After being interviewed by McDonald’s and accepted into the owner-operator program, they did their training in Socorro and, later on, at McDonald’s Hamburger University in Chicago. Always looming was the question of where they would end up. Their roots were firmly in New Mexico and Belen and they had no desire to leave. Many of the others in training knew what franchise they’d been awarded but no word had come for the Garcias. Larry called the regional manager with a plea for information and he was ready to commit to them. “Do you know where Belen, New Mexico is?” he asked. Larry was speechless. It was unheard of for anyone to end up in their own hometown yet that was where they were going. Pearlene was re-assembling a shake machine when Larry came to her with the news. “Guess where we’re going,” he said. She didn’t answer. With a huge grin Larry told her they would be going home to Belen. “You have to believe and let go,” Pearlene says, “and God will come through.”

On November 10, 1984, the new McDonald’s in Belen opened with flowers and flags and a small town’s pride in local kids who “made good.” The Albuquerque Journal’s Slim Randles declared, “Belen’s McDonald’s McBest in Four States.”

It was the start of an empire. Sales exceeded expectations in Belen and they soon owned a second franchise in Los Lunas. “That was the hardest one,” Pearlene remembers. “Going from one store to two meant we had to make sure we had the right people, people we could trust because we couldn’t be in two places at the same time.”

From there, LPG Enterprises grew to 12 franchises, all in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Belen, Moriarty, Edgewood, and Bosque Farms and owned by Larry and Pearlene. Pearlene was the first woman owner-operator to be approved in the Denver region and belongs to the McDonald’s women owner operator association. Seventy-five percent of the Garcia’s stores are managed by women.

The Garcia’s restaurants create a positive impact in the local economy. With 550 employees at an average wage of $7.00 an hour, the annual payroll is more than six million dollars that is returned to the community. Add to that taxes, maintenance, and utilities, and the yearly total goes up considerably. “I care about our people,” she says, “our crews, operators, and local purveyors such as Bueno Foods and Rose’s Papers. We’re very fortunate and grateful to God because all things are possible.”

Pearlene is very proud of the work she and her family do in the community. She is proudest of their participation in the Ronald McDonald Hispanic Scholarship program, awarding 25 scholarships for $1000 each in 2004. This year, she expects they will be able to increase that to thirty recipients.

They also provide a year’s supply of meals through the local Ronald McDonald House to the Children’s Cancer Fund and the restaurants provide the meat to feed the golfers at the annual Children’s Cancer Center Golf Tournament. They make food available to the volunteers who participate in the annual South Valley Pride Day.

Pearlene is also one of the founding members of the Heritage Circle of the Hispanic Cultural Center and is a member of the Heritage Circle Board.

In what little spare time she has, Pearlene delights in her eight-month-old grandson, Kaden Kenric Garcia, son of Kenric and Kristy. She enjoys pampering herself with facials, massages, massages, and getting her nails done. She likes to read Christian books, especially about Biblical characters. Although she was raised Catholic, she and Larry are active at Calvary Chapel in Belen. “Church is about God,” she says, “about Jesus and the Bible.”

An avid traveler, Pearlene says her favorite destination is “the whole world.” She loves their Capitan getaway cabin and enjoys boating and water sports at Elephant Butte. Larry credits Pearlene with much of their success. “I was attracted to Pearlene’s personal and inner beauty and we’ve been married for 33 years. If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d only want two thingsa Bible and Pearlene. She’s not only put up with me and my dreams, she made sure we realized them.”

They’ve definitely made up for that one missed hamburger all those years ago. And they’ve come full circle in their lives with a planned move to a house they are building in the foothills of Albuquerque. “It looks out on the city and we can see the tram, where we first saw those city lights and our life together began.” Not to mention that Larry drives a red Viper now and Pearlene’s eyes still sparkle the way they must have when she first met him.

Pearlene can be reached through LPG Enterprises in Los Lunas at (505) 865-0480.

Sabra Brown Steinsiek is a regular contributor to New Mexico WOMAN and is author of the prize-winning novel, Timing Is Everything. Her latest book, ‘Til The End of Time, was published by Whiskey Creek Press in November 2004. She can be reached through her website www.sabrasteinsiek.com.

Young Woman to Watch

Deborah Au
by Melissa Brandenburg

On Deborah’s student tour to Spain, “The most meaningful part of the trip,” she says, “was the trip to Morocco. It was a day that left me pondering on the world’s socioeconomic standards and its justifications. However, my thoughts were interrupted by a cacophonous, mechanical sound. When I turned my head, out of a shadowy side alley came a little girl about six years old. She was riding a broken-down tricycle with wheels barely screwed on, and she was dressed in a summer outfit made from a hodgepodge of scraps. She didn’t say anything; she just gazed at me. Almost a year later, I still think of her with her toothy smile and disheveled hair. She has no college applications to fill out, no advanced placement tests to prepare for. She will live a completely different life from me. That day in Morocco made me realize all the opportunities I need to take advantage of in order to make a difference in this world.”

Eighteen-year-old Deborah Au is a senior at Rio Rancho High School. She has maintained a 4.25 GPA and will be graduating with many honors. The Spanish language is one of Deborah’s passions, along with theater and traveling. Last fall, she became the first person at her school to initiate and enroll in AP Spanish Literature, a vigorous and challenging independent study course. She developed the syllabus for the class over her summer vacation, saying, “The required reading list was so extensive that I actually started my assignments in July!”

Committed to a total of four AP classes this year, Deborah stays on her toes. She also participates in National Honor Society, International Society of Thespians, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, and International Club. In the last several years, Deborah has received various awards and honors, including status as an Advanced Placement Scholar, NM State Senate Honor Roll, Rio Rancho High School Honor Roll, 2002 RRH Research Expo “Future Young Researcher” award, and second place in environmental science in 2004. She has attended the New Mexico Thespians Conference and continually takes part in community services.

Deborah contributed to efforts for OPERATION: Iraqi Children by collecting school supplies with National Honor Society and collecting donations for Haven House, a shelter for abused women and their children.

She mentions, “We also went to a local retirement home and sang Christmas carols for the residents. They were so happy to see us, since some had families unable to visit. At the time I didn’t consider this a big and meaningful activity, but after visiting with the residents, I realized that to them it truly was. That made all the difference.”

A lot of credit goes to Deborah’s parents, Barbara and Herb who she says “are strong people whom have instilled in me the importance of having dreams and goals, and ultimately having a sense of humor; they’ve taught me that when life is at its craziest, it’s also the funniest. If it weren’t for my mom checking my spelling and grammar, I’d be wandering the hallowed halls of academia not knowing how to write a complete sentence!”

This coming fall, Deborah will be a freshman at UNM double majoring in Spanish and foreign languages, potentially pursuing a future in translation services. “My dream job would be to work for the United Nations and eventually work my way up to the position of ambassador to Spain,” she says. “And I just might create world peace in the process.”

Melissa Brandenburg is a student at the University of New Mexico. She is currently seeking a double major in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish. She is also working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico and Martineztown House of Neighborly Service as a bilingual tutor.

A New Chapter for Success

Align Your Personal and Professional Goals
by Connie Thompson

In the 1970s one of the largest challenges for women was to be accepted in the workforce as equals, receiving the same opportunities and rewards as men serving in the same positions. The attitude was competitive, aggressive, and strong. Women donned pinstriped suits and cut their hair into helmet-like bobs, basically ridding themselves of all things feminine just to get into the game. Like Rosie the Riveter, the gutsy female cartoon character used to motivate women to work for the cause of World War II, they knew they could do it and they did.

Women did not want to be thought of as sex objects or as being lesser in intelligence or strength than men. They wanted to be accepted as valued individuals in the work force. These women were willing to sacrifice life as they knew it and sometimes their marriages and children to keep the movement going. Some women chose not to marry and to refrain from having children in order to give their full effort to these ideals.

Many brave women from this decade are to be credited for handing down to the younger female generation the right to work and to be free of sexual harassment or unfair treatment because of their gender. Unfortunately, this freedom did not come without a cost. Struggle and strife in marriages during those turbulent times resulted in a high number of divorces and left children from these families without support or nurturing. Single women of that era who wished to marry often became tired of the dating scene, going from relationship to relationship looking for a partner who shared her dreams. Although the adversarial approach got women in the office door, their lives often became unbearable at home, filled with power struggles and lack of understanding from their spouses.

Over thirty years have passed since those groundbreaking days, and the attitudes regarding women in the workplace are now quite different. Men and women are working together successfully in corporations and small businesses throughout the United States, and we are marrying like-minded spouses and having families. Women don’t want to work hard at the office and go home to a TV dinner. They want someone to share their lives with and children to nurture. They want to enjoy traveling and spend time with their grandchildren in their retirement. Basically, they want it all and they are going for it.

The challenge of this decade is not so much getting into the workplace or moving up as being able to keep a solid balance between work and home, maintaining integrity and growth in both areas. Working styles are moving from being strict and dictatorial to collaborative. Teamwork is now highly valued with the understanding that each individual brings value to the project being addressed and deserves respect for the contribution each is making.

This teamwork approach translates not only in the office but also at home. Foolish is the woman who “brings home the bacon and cooks it up in the pan” all by herself. Today’s smart woman has realized that she cannot do it all and needs help from her spouse and cooperation from her children to be able to live a balanced life. The single mom has learned to develop strong relationships with extended family and friends in order to keep things running smoothly. The woman who chooses not to marry or have children creates for herself a healthy support group of friends and her community.

The hard skills of knowing the work and being able to handle the technical challenges continue to be important, but just as critical are the soft skills of being able to work kindly with people, meeting needs and motivating employees to do good work. Since women are natural “multi-taskers,” it seems they are ideally created for this type of discipline.

Even with a DNA edge, a woman needs to work a bit more to implement the soft skills. These skills reflect strong values, good manners, and what Thelma Domenici of Thelma Domenici & Associates likes to call “mutuality.” According to Thelma, who owns and operates a successful corporate communications business, mutual recognition, respect, and teamwork are essential parts of becoming successful in the office as well as keeping a happy home. Unlike the 1970s’ adversarial approach that caused struggle and pressure, the mutuality approach creates good communication skills, encouraging respect and value of each individual. This is an integrated approach to life that lends itself to wholeness and satisfaction both at work and at home.

Leadership for women is now about the quality of the skills that are brought to the workplace, and about being able to handle working relationships with grace and good etiquette. Husbands and wives who share a team approach to the challenges presented them in owning a house and raising children keep respect and value of one another at the top of the relational list. It is this respect that carries them through the rough times and keeps the whole of it in balance. The woman who is a dictator in her work and her home will surely fail as will the woman who allows herself to be a doormat at the office and a slave at home.

The key to creating this type of life for oneself has everything to do with a good education, not only in the technical business sense but in the art of living gracefully. Living this type of life takes careful planning that can begin at any age. It is never too late to start respecting and valuing the contributions of others. To quote Thelma Domenici, “Leadership is in the process of being defined. It is not dependent on man or woman but the quality of the skills that you bring to that position and how it is recognized and lived out.”

Connie Thompson is a writer, director, and producer of creative, corporate, and motivational video scripts, articles, and press releases. Contact her at (505) 994-1977 or at multime diasavvy@aol.com.

Women on the Up & Up

WESST Corp has recently announced the election of the 2005 board of directors. The five person executive committee includes Linda Wedeen, senior vice president, First State Bank, board chair; Teresa Sena, Intel Corporation, vice chair; Marjorie Rogers, Modrall Sperling, secretary; Mary Wiederholt, vice president, Bank of the West, treasurer; and Vaden Bales, Wrangler Properties, past chair. New members of the board of directors for the organization include: Beverly Reece Bendicksen, Julienne Brown, Mary Escobar, and Linda Parker.

Elizabeth Farr has recently joined the accounting and auditing department of Burt & Nagel, CPA’s as a staff accountant. Farr graduated from the University of New Mexico Anderson Schools of Management in
January, 2005, with a master’s degree in accounting.

Vivian Arviso has been appointed chairperson of the board of directors of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Also serving on the board will be Janet Clow, treasurer, and Jenny Auger Maw, secretary.

Santa Fe Southern Railway has named Vicki Pozzebon as marketing and public relations engineer. Vicki was previously the director of development of Circus Smirkus, an international youth touring circus based in New England. Her predecessor in the position, Carol Raymond, has taken on increased responsibilities at the railroad.

Christina Hudson has joined Leadership New Mexico as marketing and public relations director. Hudson was previously a marketing consultant with the U.S. Army in Mannheim, Germany. She also worked as a graphic designer with Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and as a public information specialist for the Missouri Arts Council.
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Clinical hypnotherapist and licensed independent social worker Mindi Horwitch has opened offices for Inner Resources at 11000 Spain NE, Building E, in Albuquerque. In addition to hypnotherapy, Horwitch offers life coaching.

Images by Kyle Zimmerman Photography, a wedding and portrait studio in Nob Hill, will be featured in the spring issue of Elegant Bride (Fairchild Publications), a nationally circulated wedding magazine. The article features photographs from the nuptials of Jennifer Ramo and David Kutz, who were married in Albuquerque in August 2004. Zimmerman started her photography career more than 20 years ago, shooting fashion and advertising spreads in San Francisco and then internationally, before returning to Albuquerque in 1996.

Hoda Kiama, naturopathic physician and classical homeopath, has opened offices at 11000 Spain NE, Building E, in Albuquerque. In the family practice, Kiama treats acute and chronic illness and offers nutrition counseling, homeopathy, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling, and detoxification and weight loss programs.

Lynn Trojahn has been named vice president of advancement at ACCION New Mexico. Trojahn was previously director of advancement at the Bosque School and director of development for the University of New Mexico library system. She has 19 years of experience in fund raising.

Executive Women’s International (EWI) would like to recognize the following new members who have joined the EWIAlbuquerque chapter. They are: Nafeesa Belcher, IT Project management and quality director at PNM; Wendy Hepple, sales manager at Hubwest Protected; Vicky Reisenbach, account executive at Univision; and Phyllis O. Wolf, certified mentor coach. EWI® is one of the world’s premier women’s organizations dedicated to scholarship, philanthropy, community development, women in business, personal growth, and professional achievement. Visit the local EWI chapter at www.ewiabq.org or contact Holly Norton at hnorton@larkin nm.com or (505) 275-7500 for eligibility and questions to inquire about joining EWI.

Pulakos & Alongi, Ltd., certified public accountants and consultants, has announced the appointment of Amy Huckabay, CPA, as tax adviser. Prior to relocation in New Mexico, Huchabay served as a staff accountant for a CPA firm in Ketchum, Idaho. Huckabay holds a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Idaho, where she was named outstanding accounting student. She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degreesin Business Administration, with an emphasis on international business and in Russian Language and Literature from Washington State University.

The Gulfstream Group

by Victoria Groves Photos by Kyle Zimmerman

Whether you’re a lifelong resident of New Mexico, a seasonal visitor, or a first-time tourist, you’ve probably driven by properties managed by the duo made up of Nerissa Whittington and Keely Whittington Reyes. These two sisters are the principals of the Albuquerque-based Gulfstream Group, which has ties to the state that date back to the 1800s.

“Our family has had the unique opportunity to be involved in everything from commercial real estate to home building to car sales,” says Keely. “It was fairly new to the two of us at first, but now it’s second nature.”

Back when wagon trains crisscrossed the west, Keely and Nerissa’s great grandmother Ellen landed in Tucumcari and started a property management company. Their grandfather followed in her entrepreneurial footsteps and opened car and mobile home dealerships as well as an oil and gas company. Starting in New Mexico, he then took his businesses to Hawaii and eventually settled in Florida. But the pull of the Land of Enchantment eventually brought the family back to the area in the early 1990s, and the sisters now represent the family’s fourth generation in business.

“We were raised in the kind of home where if you could walk and talk, you could answer the phone and make copies,” says Nerissa.

The Gulfstream Group

In late December 2004, under Nerissa and Keely’s direction, The Gulfstream Group, which has been operating in New Mexico for 14 years, purchased the Santa Fe Premium Outlets on Cerrillos Road. Seeing the potential of the 125,000 square feet of retail space, the two hope to change the mall’s name to Santa Fe Outlets, add to the number of retail tenants, and provide a space for hungry shoppers to grab a bite to eat.

“We want to make it a community-friendly shopping location for both tourists and residents,” says Keely. “We’re glad we decided to grow our business and enter the Santa Fe retail market.” National tenants include Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Zales, and Coach. In addition to retail stores, the site also includes a chamber of commerce office and a local woodworking guild.

As area residents themselves, they’re interested in enhancing its neighborhood atmosphere. “I love being able to walk around New Mexico,” says Nerissa. “There are always opportunities here, and it’s a joy to be part of this growth.”

All told, The Gulfstream Group is responsible for business development, acquisition, and management properties in the state that encompass over a million square feet and employ 45 New Mexico residents in addition to another 45 in Colorado. “We have such great friends and great staff,” says Keely. “We take pride in going with the flow, finding a new opportunity, and making it our own.”

So their tenants can concentrate on their work, The Gulfstream Group takes care of janitorial services and security and even provides extras like monthly newsletters and festivities like a Cinco de Mayo celebration to make the office as comfortable as home.

While being principals of such an endeavor could be anyone’s full-time job, Nerissa and Keely also find the time to operate two other businesses, engage in philanthropy, and spend time with family and friends.

Other endeavors

If you’ve ever wondered where companies temporarily move their workforces during building renovations, after floods, or in the midst of a move to a new space, Nerissa and Keely have the answer. They operate BigByte.CC, which is New Mexico’s only disaster recovery center.

“A ‘disaster’ is whatever it means for that company,” said Nerissa. “We have over 16,000 square feet of office space available, should people need it.”

BigByte.CC, now five years old, provides training and conference space, a call center, electricity, and telecommunications to displaced businesses, all under 24-hour security.

And with Nerissa as a certified disaster recovery analyst, entrepreneurs have all the necessary experience at their fingertips to make a seamless transition for their company and their staff.

To add some vacation property to their portfolio, the family also acquired the Pagosa Hot Springs and Springs Resort in Pagosa, Colorado, last September. Located along the banks of the San Juan River, the Springs Resort offers 17 soaking pools of naturally hot therapeutic mineral water, the source of which is the famous Great Pagosa aquifer, the world’s largest and deepest hot mineral spring. Two hundred and 23 miles from Albuquerque, the resort is a focal point of the town and a site for low-impact ecotourism that the sisters would like to sustain.

“Working on a new acquisition has been very exciting,” says Nerissa. “And it’s in a really interesting town.”

When they’re not working…

The family also acquired a new family member in Keely’s son, Cristobal Pasquale Reyes, who is now 14 months old. In addition to doting on him, the sisters do find some additional time to make a difference.

Business may be in their blood, but Nerissa and Keely are working to make an impact on their community. “Our main goal is to promote the state and be a part of New Mexico,” said Keely. “Our family has been here a long time.” Nerissa was appointed by Gov. Richardson to serve as a state fair commissioner and is serving her term as both the youngest commissioner and the only female. She is also an active member of Albuquerque Economic Development and a Duke City Shootout Film Festival organizer. Keely is a past board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Mexico and is an active supporter and sponsor for other local charities like Joy Junction, a local homeless shelter.

They travel from New Mexico to Colorado to Florida and back again, but there is something about the area that always brings them back to Albuquerque. “We’ve had opportunities in other locations, but the people here always look at you and smile,” said Nerissa. “There is such a community aspect to New Mexico. It’s the Land
of Enchantment for a reason.”

Additional information

For the third year in a row, The Gulfstream Group has been named as one of New Mexico’s Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses by New Mexico WOMAN. To learn more about Keely and Nerissa’s businesses, visit:

www.gulfstreamworldwide.com
www.bigbyte.cc
www.pagosahotsprings.com

Victoria Groves is a freelance writer who covers business, economic development and women’s issues. She is also the editor of a monthly trade publication on physical and occupational therapy and teaches a variety of online writing courses. She can be reached at vmgroves@yahoo.com

The 12th Annual Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New Mexico

The Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New Mexico is a list compiled annually by Duval Publications Inc. from submitted entries. "Largest” is defined by gross revenues during the 12-month period ending September 30, 2004. "Women-Owned" is defined as at least 51 percent women-owned and managed.

The Top 25 is sponsored by

Lovelace Sandia Health System
Staples
Atkinson & Co., Ltd.
New York Life
The Albuquerque Tribune

The Twelfth Annual Top 25 awards have given us the opportunity to reflect on the growth of our event, the growth of women-owned businesses throughout New Mexico, and the many friends we have made in that time. It is encouraging, as always, to see many old friends and some new faces in this group. And it is encouraging to see so many women— our pages are filled with them each month—taking the gigantic steps to start their own businesses. We see the creativity, the ingenuity, the hard work, and the sacrifices that women are willing to make in order to reach their personal and professional goals. Our Top 25 are among the pioneers; the ground that they have broken has helped us all. The publisher and staff of New Mexico WOMAN congratulate the Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New Mexico and each and every woman who has had the courage and initiative to take charge of her destiny and strike out on her own.

The Founders Award: Jill Duval
Atkinson & Co. has been a sponsor of the Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in New Mexico for 12 years. We’ve seen the Top 25 become a well-known and respected annual event in the community. It has grown larger each year not only in recognition but also in attendance. The first year, there were 150 attendees and now attendance is over 500.

Throughout the years we’ve seen Jill Duval work hard to put this event together and we are glad that Atkinson & Co. has had the opportunity to work with her and be a part of it! Jill had the vision to initiate an event that recognizes women of New Mexico, many of whom may have not been honored or recognized otherwise. National trends reflect the growth of women-owned businesses, and New Mexico is especially strong in that growth. The Top 25 recognizes the contributions and impact that women have made and are making on New Mexico’s economy. This is also information that our community may not have been aware of if not for the Top 25 awards.
Atkinson & Co. sponsors the Woman of Achievement Award at the Top 25 event. Historically, a high percentage of these recipients make the Top 25 in subsequent years. It’s exciting to see! Attending the Top 25 awards luncheon has inspired many women to strive to become a part of the event as either a sponsor or a recipient.

We thank Jill for all her hard work and great insight, which have certainly contributed to the phenomenal growth of women-owned businesses in our communities. She is an inspiration to us all!

Kimberly deCastro
President, CEO
Wildflower International, Ltd.
Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico
What year did you start your business:1991
What service/product does your company provide? IT hardware and software.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? My biggest challenge is educating myself in the ways of big business without losing the ability to manage by heart; to learn from the bad experiences and not let them change me.
What advice would you give to a person starting his/her own business? I would give different advice on different days. Today, I would suggest eternal optimism, as written by my friend Cosmo:
The Optimist fell ten stories
I spotted him from an open car
At each window he passed he yelled
All right so far
What is your favorite hobby or way to relax? I have always loved to work in my garden, especially with my daughter. I have spent a lot of time researching family history. It is helping me put together the pieces of who I am, and maybe even where I am going.

Dorothy W. Queen
CEO / President
Queen Oil & Gas
Born in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Children: 1 son, Paul D. Queen, 36
Pets: Murphy, Schnauzer, Buster, Aussie, 4 barn cats
What was your first job? Dairy Queen
What year did you start your business:1972
What service/product does your company provide? Oil and gasoline distributor, propane home heating fuel, and western wear outlet.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? The high cost of fuel and the government regulations which cost our business mega bucks. That is one reason your fuel is so high!
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? I compete in the equine sport of “cutting horses.” I travel long miles to do this. It is a big challenge but well worth it.
What advise would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? If it won’t make money on paper, don’t do it. Change banks if you have to. Find a banker that understands your business and is willing to work with you.

Laura Wilson
CEO
Pyramid Services, Inc.
Born in Alamogordo, New Mexico
Married to James Wilson
Children: Kyle 10, Nicole 19, Joshua 20
What was your first job? Counter help at McDonald’s
What year did you start your business? 1990
What service/product does your company provide? Provides government services, contracting to Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Hiring the right people and assuring that you are utilizing their talents.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Dreams are always a work in progress.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Hire carefully. Set realistic goals. Communicate your goals to your team. Give them the resources to be successful.

Pearlene Garcia
Owner/Operator
LPG Enterprises, Inc.
dba McDonald’s Restaurants
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Married to Larry Garcia
Children: Kenric Garcia, 30 years old
Pet: Doogie, West Highland Terrier
What was your first job? Griegos Library librarian
What year did you start your business? 1979
What service/product does your company provide? Quick Service Restaurant
What (or who) inspired you to start this business? My husband Larry said that for us to be successful, we needed to go into business for ourselves.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Hiring the right people to deliver the experience our customers expect.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Visiting with my new grandson, Kaden.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? I thank God for the opportunity given to my family. My business has grown far beyond my original expectations.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Have integrity and keep your word.

Keely Whittington Reyes & Nerissa Whittington
Principals
The Gulfstream Group
Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Keely, married to Flint Reyes
Children: (Keely) Cristóbal Angel Pasquale Reyes, 14 months
What was your first job? Keely: My first paying job away from family was at a local health food store, The Carrot Patch. Nerissa: Lemonade stand—entrepreneur at heart!
What year did you start your business? Locally in 1992
What service/product does your company provide? We provide premiere property management and real estate services through Gulfstream Worldwide Realty; disaster recovery services, and a telecom hotel through bigbyte.cc; a fine shopping experience through Santa Fe Outlets; and, of course, a great vacation at The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Keely: Each day comes with a new set of challenges. You just have to have a sense of humor and a flexible day planner.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Keely: Reality is definitely different but not necessarily in a bad way. You learn to make decisions with an open mind. Nerissa: Reality is always different, but every day reality gives birth to new dreams.

Janice Lucero
CEO
Safety NetWorks, Inc., dba MVD Express
Born in Baltimore, Maryland
Married to Art Lucero
Children: Michelle 19, Greg 17, Kate 8
Pets: Ginger, dog
What was your first job? Babysitting, and then Dial-a-Teen at age 14.
What year did you start your business: 1994
What service/product does your company provide? MVD Express serves individual and business motor vehicle needs. Driver’s license, title, and registration.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Playing violin duets with my daughter Kate. Attending concerts by the Albuquerque Youth Symphony program orchestras. These are amazing young musicians.
What advise would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Surround yourself with smart people. There is a saying “We are only as smart as the smartest people we associate with.” One of my best decisions has been to join TEC (The Executive Committee), an organization dedicated to CEOs and their personal and professional development. Business is the one place you don’t want to find yourself standing in denial.

Betty P. Chao, Ph.D.
President / CEO
Westech International, Inc.
Born in Kaoshiuna, Republic of China
Married to Richard Renn
Pets: Ollie, Cocker Spaniel, and Nomad, Siberian husky
What was your first job? Waitress
What year did you start your business? 1994
What service/product does your company provide? Technical and professional services for federal government agencies and government contractors.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? I wanted to be a concert pianist from childhood. But my father insisted I pursue an education and career in engineering or a professional field. My training in piano performance, namely focus and hours of work, help me in business.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Be focused. It is imperative to begin with a business plan and work towards the realization of the plan. Westech is a technical service provider. I’ve been asked and prodded to sell hardware/software, build buildings/facilities, and more. But I’ve never deviated from my long-term plans for the business.

Maria Elena Berry
Owner/President
Cumbre Construction, Inc.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Married to R.J. Berry
Children: Jacob, 8 years
Pet: Skip, Jack Russell Terrier
What was your first job? Sales Clerk at Pastian’s Winrock Bakery
What year did you start your business? 1996
What service/product does your company provide? General construction, design and building.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Spending time with my family.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Surround yourself with the right people. Build a team of dependable and motivated employees but also a strong team of professionals, e.g. accountants, bankers, consultants, and lawyers, etc.

Rebecca A. Maloy
President
Maloy Construction, Inc.
Born in Bethel, Alaska
Married to Mike Maloy
Children: Robyn Maloy 24, Marshall Maloy 18
Pets: Babe, Punky and Forest (all blue heelers)
What was your first job? A grocery sacker in Alaska
What year did you start your business: 1995
What service/product does your company provide? We provide commercial electrical and general construction. We also do design/build construction and demolition.
What inspired you to start this business? My husband started Maloy Electric in 1995. I joined the business in 1996. He urged me to get my general contractor’s license in 1997.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? My biggest challenge is to prove that we can provide good quality work at a fair price.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? I enjoy playing soccer and motorcycling.
What advise would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Make sure you have a good plan. Then hire the best people you can find and treat them well. When you have an excellent team, you can produce an excellent product.

Edna Lopez
President/CEO
COMPA Industries, Inc.
Born in San Elizario, Texas
Children: Dave, Daniel, Armando, Michael, Samuel
Pet: Cleo
What was your first job? Babysitter
What year did you start your business? 1986
What service/product does your company provide? Government contractor, project management, and staff augmentation
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Finding and keeping great employees!
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Babysitting my grandchildren. Reading autobiographies.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Seek advice in arenas where you do not have experience or knowledge – make sure you believe in your business with your heart and soul. Have a mission and goals for your business.

Consuelo Carmona, MD
Gileen Elder, MD
Elizabeth Garcia, MD
Mary Mark, MD
Rebecca Okun, MD
Analisa Villarreal, MD
Physician Shareholders
Women’s Specialists of New Mexico, Ltd
Years in Business: since 1974, 31 years Questions answered by Analisa Villarreal
Pet: Big gray tabby ... we like to call him Tiger
What was your first job? I was a hostess at a favorite local Mexican food restaurant in Austin, TX ... Las Manitas is still thriving.
What service/product does your company provide? Health care services for women
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Recently, our profession has been profoundly affected by professional liability issues ... a topic addressed in the presidential election.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? I love to travel and see new places, experience new things.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Surround yourself with a great team … good people who enjoy their work.

Carole Petranovich
President/Owner
Computer Corner, Inc.
Born in Pueblo, Colorado
Married to Joe Petranovich
Pet: Chow-chow
What was your first job? Pizza “chef”
What year did you start your business? 1983
What service/product does your company provide? Computer training, hardware, software networks, telephone systems, cabling, video conferencing solutions, and security products.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? The secret is adjusting your dream! Each year, we’ve changed our goal, our dream if you will, and reached for the next level. My dream is a work in progress, forever changing.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? I have so much advice after 22 years! I would recommend developing a business plan with a full marketing plan and budget. You will be surprised how much more stable your business will be when you go through this process. Also, develop procedures for running your business so that as you grow, other people can do things in a consistent way, and give your clients a consistent experience every time they work with you.

Samantha Lapin
President and CEO
POD, Inc.
Born in Tucson, Arizona
Married to Dale Atkinson
Pet: Willie, Clumber Spaniel
What was your first job? McDonald’s at age 16 to pay for car insurance and upkeep.
When did you start your Business? POD was founded in 1988.
What service/product does your company provide? POD, Inc. provides solutions for the development, maintenance, and support of information systems. Our PODNet division supports networks from concept through implementation to daily operations. Our PODData division offers database development solutions, integration and services. Our PODSoft division offers effective solutions to software development and integration, whether commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or custom “from scratch.”
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? I enjoy gardening.
What advice would you give a person who is starting his/her own business? Develop a plan that clearly defines the core product/service, the target market and the costs to enter the market, the competition, and the expected return over time. Once the plan has been defined, stay focused on delivering that core product or service.

Ty Juana Hise, CFO/owner
Jennifer Hise, VP/owner
Aneile Hise, co-owner/shareholder
CEMCO Inc.
Jennifer and Aneile born in Albuquerque, NM Ty Juana, married to Neil Hise
Children: Ty Juana, Jennifer 29, and Aneile 27
Pets: Aneile—2 dogs, cat
(Jennifer answered questions)
What year did you start your business? 1962 – grandfather and grandmother started the business.
What service/product does your company provide? Manufacturing vertical shaft impact (VSI) crushers
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Governmental regulations. Balancing time spent in the many areas required; must not get so involved with details that you lose the overview of everything working together.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Spending time with family, pets, being outdoors, reading, and movies.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Reality is different. Family business (or your own business) requires handling all situations.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Beware of government regulations, permits, employee issues, the unknown.

Barbara Anderson, Leslee Cordova
Owners and Executive Directors
R-WAY, LLC
Barbara born in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Leslee born in Lordon, Ohio
Leslee, married to Harry Cordova
Children: Barbara— Shannon 29, Ben 26, Leslee—Leandro 27, Alfredo 25
What was your first job? Barbara, teacher, Leslee, teacher
What year did you start your business? 2000
What service/product does your company provide? Services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
What (or who) inspired you to start this business? Our adult children with developmental disabilities inspired us to start R-WAY.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Getting reimbursements from the government in a timely manner and proposed Medicaid cuts.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Reality was a little different although we are pleased with what we have accomplished.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Be sure to have enough seed money and be prepared, organized, and have a strategic plan.

Elizabeth Olsen Minetos
Owner/Accountant
MaxStaff HR Management
Born in Farmington, New Mexico
Married to beloved husband, Nick Minetos
Children: Sophia 7, Christina 6, Aleksia 3
Pets: Phoenix, Golden Retriever, Frosty, Cockapoo, Speedy, Turtle
What was your first job? Working as a library page at the Farmington Public Library.
What year did you start your business: 1999
What service/product does your company provide? Web-base Human Resource Management; HRIS Information System Online; Employee Leasing; Temporary Staffing; Administration HAS, and HRA health plans, payroll services online; payroll debit cards.
What or who inspired you to start this business? My husband, Nick.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? To convince NM companies to streamline their businesses with “online” technology and save money.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Reality is a bit different! Owning your own business, while rewarding and challenging, is a lot of work!

Barbara Brennan
President/CEO
Stride, Incorporated
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Children: 4 children and 13 grandchildren
Pets: Harley, Great Dane, Classie, a Rough Collie
What was your first job? My first job was writing a weekly column in the newspaper for my junior high school.
What year did you start your business? I purchased the business from The Rehabilitation Center, Inc., November 1, 1988. I had been managing it for the six years proceeding.
What service/product does your company provide? We manufacture and distribute writing instruments, binders, sheet protectors, and other office products to national office product catalogue companies.
What (or who) inspired you to start this business? My late husband was a practicing attorney and very excited about manufacturing.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? My husband’s sudden death at age 55 just three months after we bought Stride.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Working is relaxation for me, but life with my grand children is pretty exciting also!

Marie “Betty” Blea
President
Homes by Marie, Inc.
Born in El Paso, Texas
Married to Jim Blea
Children: Sean 16, Michael, 23
Pet: Wheeler
What was your first job? Banker
What year did you start your business? 1990
What service/product does your company provide? Custom home builder
What (or who) inspired you to start this business? My very good friends and Bobby Nafus of First State Bank.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Being a women in a man’s world
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Spending time at the lake and with my husband, friends, and boys.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? My dream has come true.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Do what you say and perform as you promised.

Sherry Williams
Administrator
Zia Hospice, Inc.
Born in Shelbyville, Tennessee
Children: Sheila Chapman 32, John Paul Staples 29
Pets: Snickers, Shadow, Sparky, Kitty
What was your first job? Waitress at the Duke City Restaurant
What year did you start your business: 2001
What service/product does your company provide? We care for terminally ill patients and their families.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Our industry (hospice care) is often judged as a whole and not individually. We must maintain our level of care and work with our competitors to assure high quality care.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Surround yourself with people who share your vision, values, and work ethic. Allow them freedom to excel in their area of expertise.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? Always be careful what you wish for. It is a dream come true but to provide hospice care “right” is a lot of hard work.

Kim Housholder
President
Christine Nanney
Vice-President
Hot Shot Services, Inc.
Kim, born in Olympia, Washington Christine, born in Warren, Michigan
Pets: Zeb, dog, Allie, cat
What year did you start your business? 1989
What service/product does your company provide? Courier, warehousing, and fulfillment.
What (or who) inspired you to start this business? Kim: Myself. I always gave 110 percent, and when I was laid off I decided I would never work that hard for anyone but myself again.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? The rising cost of employee benefits. Health care insurance has risen an average of 23 percent every year for the last five years. We have to stay above the technology curve, keep the standard of service high, and customer costs low.
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Christine—Photography, Kim— Cooking and grilling
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you.

Denise K. Baker
President, CFO
D.R.B. Electric, Inc.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Married to Randy Baker
Children: Jennifer, Kristen, and Lindsey, Step-children: Lenee and David
What year did you start your business? Randy Baker, my husband, started the business in 1986. I joined the firm in 1991 and we were married May 23, 1992.
What service/product does your company provide? DRB is an electrical contracting business specializing in commercial, industrial, business/residential service, design build projects, and voice and data.
What advice would you give to a person starting his/her own business? I would advise women starting a new business to be informed and up to date with your industry by being proactive, set realistic goals with a mission statement and strategic steps to reach those goals. Become well acquainted with your banker, accountant, and attorney. Join associations that promote not only your field but also women-owned businesses to provide a networking venue. The knowledge you can gain from others, both good and bad, might be the key to your success.

Julee D. Loera
Vice President
Overhead Door Company of Albuquerque
Born in Tucson, Arizona
Married to Reynaldo Loera
Children: Kristy 27, Amanda 22
Pet: Moose, cat
What was Your First Job? Paper route and mowing yards, until I turned 15, then McDonald’s.
What year did you start your business? 2001
What service/product does your company provide? Sales, service, and installation of residential and commercial doors and openers.
What is the biggest challenge you face inbusiness? Finding people
What’s your favorite hobby or way to relax? Running—when I retire I’m going to run in a marathon.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Set your goals and don’t get in a hurry.

Ann Silva
President/CEO
Ann Silva’s Bernina Sewing Center
Born in New York, New York
Married to Dan Silva
Children: Michael 47, Peter 45, Steven 43
What was your first job? My first real job was as a Home Economics teacher in Rockland County, New York.
What year did you start your business? 1980
What service/product does your company provide? We sell Bernina sewing machines, embroidery systems, and sergers, cotton fabrics for quilting, sewing notions (threads, needles, patterns, books), embroidery software, and designs used with embroidery machines. We service all brands of machines. We offer many classes.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? My biggest challenge is to keep up with new technology. There are many different models and machines that interact with computers.
Did your dream come true or is the reality a little different? I was looking for a place for sewing classes. I thought I would sell Bernina sewing machines so that beginning sewers would have quality machines. I never dreamed that the business I started in 1980 would be so successful. To have made this business grow is really a dream come true.

Lisa Mummey
Owner/President
Division 10 Materials, Inc.
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Married to Richard Mummey
Pets: 2 dogs: Miller, Mollie, 2 cats: Harley, Rio
What was your first job? Lifeguard
What year did you start your business: 1997
What service/product does your company provide? Material supplier, subcontractor for commercial building, and architectural specialty products.
What inspired you to start this business? Guidance and direction from my parents. They instilled a good work ethic in my brother and myself.
What is the biggest challenge you face in business? Learning to say no.
What’s your favorite hobby/way to relax? Riding my Harley on the back roads of New Mexico with friends and family.
What advise would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Be honest, service your customer’s needs and be prepared to work 24/7 with a good support network around you.

Beverly Chavez, President
Julie Chavez, Vice-President
Barbara Otero, Secretary/Sales Representative
Christina Tapia, Treasurer
Stixon Labels & New Mexico Plastics
(R.W. Chavez, Inc.)
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Beverly, Julie, Barbara, and Christina, Barbara, married to Steve Otero
Children: Jessica, 17, Gabrielle, 10 Christina, married to Nate Tapia
Children: Bobby, 5, Jude, 3, Abila, 4 months
What year did you start your business? New Mexico Plastics was started in 1985. We were distributors of plastic bags and expanded to add Stixon Labels in 1991.
What service/product does your company provide? We manufacture pressure sensitive labels for the food industry, pharmaceutical, pet supplies, candles, beverages (wine, water, juice, and milk), and identification. We are also distributors of bags and packaging: plastic and paper, plastic tubes.
What advice would you give to a person who is starting his/her own business? Julie: My best advice is to be open to advice. Listen to others and consider their ideas and thoughts. I also think it is smart to ask questions. If you don’t know the answer, there is someone who does. Beverly: Understand that you will not be getting rich immediately, unless you are extremely fortunate.