Agnes Chavez, owner of Logic Dream Productions, Inc. in Taos, received Entrepreneur of the Year. Chavez combined her passion for language and art to create a multi-sensory Spanish curriculum teaching academic and social language skills to children in Preschool through Grade 5. Called SUBE from the Spanish verb subir – meaning to rise to the next level, Chavez has sold more than 500 SUBE kits to school districts throughout New Mexico. She has also created a web-based program, called SubeConnects, which allows school children from the U.S. and abroad to develop pen pal relationships via live video. In 2004, Chavez’s entrepreneurial spirit was recognized nationally when she was named one of ten winners of the Anna Maria Arias Memorial Business Awards sponsored by LATINAStyle Magazine and Wells Fargo Bank.

Alberta Chappell, owner of Bernina Sewing Center of Four Corners, Inc. in Farmington, was named Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. Chappell opened Bernina Sewing Center of Four Corners, Inc. in 2003. Growth in sales revenues have exceeded projections; 2003 revenues totaled $106,000 and in 2004 they grew to an impressive $503,000. Chappell has helped to revitalize sewing in the Four Corners area. Alberta’s impressive business “emergence” led Bernina of America to honor her with its prestigious “Rookie of the Year Award” in 2004.

Saul and Loriann Ordoñez, owners of Valley Dairy Products in Dexter, earned the Rural Entrepreneurs of the Year award. Saul Ordoñez immigrated to the United States as a teenager from Chihuahua, Mexico. After ten years of working in the dairy industry, he opened his own business, Valley Dairy Products, providing chemicals that dairy owners use to clean and sanitize their milking equipment. Loriann Ordoñez, is a strong partner in the business, and handles the bookkeeping and record keeping. In July 2004, the business had grown to the point where they hired one employee.

Nancy Denker, owner of Focus Ink. in Albuquerque, received the Pioneer Award. Denker started Focus Ink as a home-based business in 1989; today, out of her 3,000 square foot facility, Nancy has created a diverse print shop in a traditionally male-dominated field, in the most prolific private industry in New Mexico. Focus Ink prints EVERYTHING from “walnuts to signs.” After 14 years of struggle, Focus Ink experienced a 4-four-fold increase in revenues over the past two years, evidence to the fact that persistence, flexibility, quality and service matter.

Sandra Ford, owner of To Die for Fudge in Albuquerque, earned the Rising Star Award. Ford garnered the secret fudge recipe that has made her business a success from a woman named Bertha Davis in Atlanta, who dabbed her fudge on the lips of crack babies to calm them. Despite Ford’s repeated requests, Davis did not share the recipe until Ford’s son was killed in a car accident. Ford’s business, To Die for Fudge, was born five years later as a tribute to Davis, who also passed away. Today, Ford is the talk of the dessert world, counting Oprah Winfrey among her fans.

Jackie Gonzales, owner of Ruby Shoesday in Albuquerque, received the Leadership Award. As the owner of a shoe, handbag and clothing boutique on Gold Street, Gonzalez has built an impressive local and regional clientele within a few short years. Gonzales received the Leadership Award in recognition of her enthusiasm and dedication in promoting the revitalization of downtown Albuquerque. She showed great courage and faith as one of the first people to venture downtown with a new retail business several years ago and advises other women who have since become successful business owners.

Marie Longserre, President and CEO of the Santa Fe Business Incubator, received Entrepreneurial Advocate of the Year. Under her leadership and direction, SFBI has grown to a 30,000 square foot facility, housing a broad range of light manufacturing, technology and service firms. A tireless advocate for service provision to start-up companies, Longserre has been a champion for business incubators in New Mexico. Her leadership and vision are clearly one reason why SFBI was honored with the “John J. Gunther Award for Best Practices” from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.