Center honors Gallup crafts supply business

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

Mitzie Begay, owner and operator of Native Crafters Jewelry and Supply, shows off some of her merchandise along with an award she recently received, in downtown Gallup on Friday afternoon. The family owned and operated business won the UNM SBDC Success Client of the Year Award. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

GALLUP — Starting a small business is easier said than done, and making it successful is even tougher.

Mitzie Begay, owner of Native Crafter's Supply Company, knew that before she opened her jewelry and arts and crafts supply store in 1999. Knowing this, she sought help form the UNM-Gallup Small Business Development Center. Eight years later, her business has reached a level of success that most mom and pop businesses don't see.

"They're growing in their business and they're doing well," said Dan Sanchez, MBA, business advisor for the Gallup Small Business Development Center.

Sanchez estimates that less that 25 percent of small businesses last no more than two years. For those who do become stable and successful, it's an accomplishment. Just recently, Begay and her business were recognized by the center, and awarded the its "Success Client of the Year," and received recognition at the state legislature.

"We were surprised," said Begay.

Begay and her husband, Mel R. Begay, first opened their store in 1999 in Blackhat, and remained there for nearly seven years before moving to their downtown Gallup store in April 2005. Business was doing good on the Nation, but they wanted to open up a gift store in addition to a supply store.

"We wanted to market more of our people's craft," said Begay. "Marketing has always been a challenge for artisans we know."

With this in mind, and in their business plan, they decided moving to Gallup would be in the best interest of their business and clients. Their business decision was a move, and has helped to slightly boost sales.

As a child, Begay said she was raised in a "business realm" because her parents made jewelry and did piece work. Before opening her own business, Begay worked with the Christian Reform World Relief Committee as a regional consultant helping artisans market their crafts.

"A lot of them didn't know how to price their products," said Begay.

While Begay may have been around business her whole life, she knew that the assistance of the program would help to better ensure the success of the business by helping with a business plan, marketing strategies, and other technical assistance. The next step in Begay's business plan is to branch out to the Navajo Nation, and she plans to continue to work closely with the center.

"That's why we exist," said Sanchez. Often times, he said, people decide to start their own business, and while they may be excellent in their particular profession, they don't realize that running a business is a whole new venture. Most people wanting to open a small business don't know about such things as tax requirements, regulations, and even business plans, which is what the business helps people to understand.

"We wish more people would come in," he said.

"If we help a small business for New Mexico, it means more money for New Mexico," said Sanchez.

For more information on the UNM-Gallup Small Business Development Center, call (505) 722-2220 or go to www.nmsbdc.