2022 Business Accelerator Class gather for a group photo. Courtesy/Chamber
Scott Baird, Jonny Baird and Kate Kudynska of Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters. Courtesy/Chamber
Joe Johansen of Los Alamos Golf & Games. Courtesy/Chamber
CHAMBER News:
Los Alamos MainStreet and the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce have announced the second cohort of the Los Alamos Business Accelerator Pop-up Stores will be Scott Baird, Jonny Baird and Kate Kudynska with Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters, as well as Joe Johansen with Los Alamos Golf & Games. They will be moving into a Pop-up retail storefront at 181 Central Park Square next to Origami mid-November through the end of the year to test drive their business concepts.
The entrepreneurs, along with 10 others, successfully completed the 6-week Phase I training of the 2022 Los Alamos Business Accelerator Program. Those entrepreneurs who weren’t selected for the Pop-up Stores, which is Phase II of the program, will still have an opportunity for local partnerships and collaborations. Los Alamos MainStreet and the Chamber of Commerce will continue to support them in opening future businesses.
“We are excited for Scott, Kate, Jonny and Joe to take this next step to pursue a storefront in Los Alamos,” Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann said. “We have a unique set of retail challenges in Los Alamos, and we applaud these entrepreneurs for putting forth the tremendous dedication to learning the environment, enhancing their business model, and having the commitment to pursue a storefront and help diversify our local retail offerings. We encourage the community to show these small businesses their support and come out to frequent their shops this November and December!”
The Los Alamos Business Accelerator program enables participants to de-risk their entry into Los Alamos retail through interactive and educational workshops focused on starting a retail storefront in Los Alamos. Sixteen diverse entrepreneurs were accepted into the second cohort of the program this year.
Throughout the Business Accelerator, participants heard from a variety of local, regional and national experts. Topics ranged from Business Licensing & Permitting, to Marketing & Promotions, Ordering & Inventory, Cash Handling & Accounting, Store Layout & Sales and Employee & Company Culture.
In addition to the complimentary training program, rent, utilities and insurance, the Business Accelerator Pop-up entrepreneurs also receive assistance with merchandising and fixtures, graphic design services, and a one-year Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce membership.
“The retail businesses to come from this second cohort of the Los Alamos Business Accelerator program will be great additions to the retail landscape in Los Alamos,” Jacquelyn Connolly, Director of Los Alamos MainStreet said. “We thank all of the entrepreneurs who participated and the supportive business community who helped make this program become a reality.”
The program was made possible through a partnership with New Mexico MainStreet and HatchForm, as well as grants the New Mexico Economic Development Department through a LEADS Grant, LANL Foundation, New Mexico Resiliency Alliance, LANL Community Partnerships Office, Enterprise Bank & Trust, Del Norte Credit Union and Cohort 1 Los Alamos Business Accelerator graduates, Wheeed, Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse, Little Studio on the Mesa and Inspired Jewelers. Thanks also to Philip Kunsberg and Patrick Sullivan with Central Park Square, Los Alamos County, Sandy Jones of the Small Business Development Center and to all the program speakers.
Hours and opening day details of the Los Alamos Business Accelerator Pop-up will be announced soon, but the public may keep updated by clicking here.
