ANNUAL REPORT 2007 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

9
Inner Truth, © Michelle Stump, 2007
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.