8 [building communities] ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
9 Inner Truth, © Michelle Stump, <strong>2007</strong> YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS The people of New Mexico are the state’s most valuable natural resource, and UNM is charged with developing this resource by educating a highly skilled, diverse workforce. More than 65,000 UNM alumni hold jobs throughout the state, many serving in senior positions in virtually every industry that contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in New Mexico. The University also maintains partnerships with corporations and organizations statewide, increasing global competitiveness and marshaling resources that provide benefits far beyond what the University and its partners could achieve individually. UNM attracts money into the state through grants, tuition and gifts as well, thereby leveraging business development opportunities. In addition to the economic development activity that takes place on UNM’s main campus, branch campuses work with Small Business Development Centers to support small business ownership and entrepreneurship. The NMSBDC brings together the U.S. Small Business Administration, the state of New Mexico, the private sector and the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, which includes UNM’s branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia County. The SBDCs offer free one-on-one confidential consulting, training courses and government procurement assistance for area businesses. For those who already own businesses or are looking into entrepreneurship, Small Business Development Centers help them climb and manage the ladder of success. Following in the New Mexico artistic tradition, Michelle Stump started her photography business The Harp of the Spirit in October 2000. As a start-up, she ran the business on evenings and weekends while continuing with her full-time job as a technical writer. During the first six years, she gradually refined her goals to center on photographic digital art. Stumps says, “The intent of The Harp of the Spirit is to reunite mankind with the sacred beauty of this world.” Her images are mailed internationally, with requests for product information coming from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii and Indonesia. The Harp of the Spirit also serves to advertise the wonder of New Mexico and has broadened the customer base of tourists and business people who come here. Stump testifies about the difference the UNM- LA SBDC made in the success of her business: “[Their] guidance and support have made The Harp of the Spirit what it is today – a small New Mexico business emerging onto the national scene with a very New Mexican product... [They] helped me formulate my catalog and pricing structure and establish myself as an LLC. Their continued presence in my business life has kept me in the know about bookkeeping, New Mexico gross receipts tax, Quickbooks, and generally everything I need to know to run a successful small business.” Michelle Stump, Los Alamos, N.M.