4-17-2023 8:45am

Want to Start a Business?

Helping entrepreneurs develop their businesses is Trish Livingston’s job. She is knowledgeable, kind, encouraging and able to discern just what is needed.

I’m speaking of Trish Livingston , Director of the local Small Business Development Center(SBDC) at NMSU Alamogordo. One of 18 offices across the state and 1100 in our nation, this local program is a partner of the US Small Business Administration. Services are professional, confidential and offered at no-cost.

Trish is an amazing resource for people looking to start and build a business in our community. I am currently participating at the Alamogordo Center of Commerce in one of her 4-part trainings. At our first session she addressed business ideas in definition and feasibility. We went on to consider business planning, structures, the business registration process., and marketing plans. Trish repeatedly offered us one-to-one consultations. Checklists, resource packets, sample forms - it was a very organized presentation.

Having worked in social services for the bulk of my career, I am not well-versed in “business speak” and the planning needed for a business effort - a real duck out of the water! I took advantage of the one-to-one time. Even as I am working towards a part-time small business focused on moving a hobby into a business to supplement my social security income, I was received graciously. I felt I could ask even the simplest question. I received recommendations individualized for my business idea and assurance that Trish would be available as I deal with my 1st round of GRT reporting. I left my session a lot more confident than when I entered!

The remaining SBDC training classes at the Center of Commerce will address getting one’s business onto Google, marketing your business, and financial management.

Trish also works with established businesses, in areas of staff development, strategic planning, market research, business incentives and succession planning. Some trainings are virtual and there is a YouTube channel.

Some people work quietly and make huge impacts on others. Trish Livingston is one! Alamogordo Proud!

(Photo by Tim Mossholder)