\n
Luna Community College\u2019s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host a 2023 Northern New Mexico Small Business Conference on Thursday, Aug. 24 at the college\u2019s Media Arts Auditorium. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Northern New Mexico Small Business Conference serves as an ecosystem of support, empowerment, and achievement to uplift entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources, inspiration, and insights needed to shape a thriving and resilient future for their businesses and communities,\u201d says Briana Montano-Baca, SBDC\u2019s associate director. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Montan0-Baca says by bringing together industry experts, thought leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs, the conference will aspire to foster an environment where every attendee can flourish, grow their business, and contribute to the economic prosperity of their community.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Small Business Conference is committed to delivering information that equips attendees with the practical tools and expertise to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Through expert speakers, interactive workshops, and valuable resources, the conference aims to foster a culture of continuous learning, enabling participants to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge base, and stay ahead of the curve.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the Small Business Conference recognizes the power of networking and collaboration in fostering business growth. The conference serves as a vibrant hub for like-minded individuals, creating an environment that facilitates meaningful connections and valued relationships. This conference will provide networking opportunities, and informal gatherings that allow attendees to forge partnerships, share experiences, and access a diverse business community of professionals, mentors, and potential collaborators.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Montano-Baca says that attendees will not be disappointed. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that inspiration is the fuel that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit and fuels success through thought-provoking keynote speeches, and motivational stories,\u201d says Montano-Baca. \u201cWith real-life experiences, we aim to inspire and uplift attendees, igniting their passion, resilience, and drive. Our conference endeavors to spark innovative thinking, promote creativity, and instill a growth mindset that propels participants to reach new heights in their business endeavors.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There will be two keynote speakers, Vera Jo Bustos and Keanu Trujillo. <\/span><\/span><\/span>Vera Jo Bustos, a northern New Mexico native, is a mental performance coach specializing in helping students, educators, business <\/span><\/span><\/span>professionals,<\/span><\/span> and coaches improve their performance through the mental game. She has worked with professional athletes, coaches, veterans, surgeons, businesses, and business professionals. A highly sought-after speaker, she travels the country inspiring, motivating, and teaching the mental game to athletes, high-performers, teams, and coaches\u2014of all ages, ability levels, and sports\u2014a<\/span><\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span> conferences, conventions, workshops, school assemblies, and 1-on-1 <\/span><\/span><\/span>training<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Trujillo, a northern New Mexico native, will speak passionately about attracting and inspiring top-level talent, building a scalable generational business, and adopting mindsets of stewardship and drive to shift the trajectory of your family lineage. Beyond coaching, Keanu founded \u201cStrategy House\u201d a co-working entrepreneurial workspace to help others start and build their own business. Trujillo was the first person in his family to start a business and that wouldn\u2019t have been possible if not for veteran entrepreneurs who made a way for him. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Doors will open at 8 a.m. for vendor registration and set up, attendee registration is from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with welcome and introduction beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. with breakout <\/span><\/span><\/span>training<\/span><\/span> and workshops taking place from 1:15 p.m. to 2:<\/span><\/span><\/span>15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n