New Mexico businesses lifting each other up during pandemic

Posted: Nov 23, 2020 / 04:07 PM MST / Updated: Nov 24, 2020 / 06:38 AM MST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Some locally-owned small businesses are lifting each other up during the pandemic, collaborating as their businesses continue to grow with help from social media. The 11 small businesses working together are located all over the state and are all owned by women.

“I’ve probably gotten more support than I ever had,” said Breanna Smith, the owner of Digital Vibes Create. “My customers are amazing, the fact that they’re still willing to spend money on me and buy my stuff is awesome. So I’ve grown so much probably in the past four months.”

Digital Vibes Create has been in operation in Albuquerque for a little more than a year. Smith said when the pandemic first hit she was scared her dream of owning a business would be over before it even got off the ground.

However, Smith said utilizing social media particularly Instagram, has actually helped her business grow. The business gained more than a thousand followers in the last couple of months with customers buying various products she sells every day including t-shirts, keychains, earrings, and other crafts.

She said with her recent success, she decided to reach out to other locally owned businesses to collaborate. Which eventually led to their “New Mexico Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway” found on each businesses’ Instagram accounts.

“My goal was to really help each of us get new followers, new exposure, hoping people would see new gift ideas for the holidays coming up,” said Smith. She said the gift basket giveaway will include at least one or two items from each participating business.

Smith said they’ll announce a winner on Instagram this Sunday. For more information on how to enter into the gift basket giveaway visit any of the 11 businesses’ Instagram accounts found below:

Don’t Miss

More Coronavirus New Mexico Stories

What you need to know about the 2021 Legislative Session

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The 2021 Legislative Session is going to look different this year due to the pandemic. The session will start Tuesday, Jan. 19 at noon and adjourn on March 20.

The governor's usual state of the state address is being pushed back this session. Typically the governor gives a speech to lawmakers on the first day and talks about her goals for the session. Since lawmakers need to nail down some pandemic procedures this year, like which discussions will be conducted remotely, the governor is holding off until those details are set. The speech will likely be done remotely as well.

Read the Full Article

Grant Chapel hosts annual MLK celebration virtually

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Across the nation, people celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Day Monday. Here in Albuquerque, Grant Chapel AME Church hosted its annual 25th annual event honoring his life and ideals.

In years past, they have held a breakfast but like many during the pandemic, they chose to go virtual this year. "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in the power of community to overcome our toughest challenges. In the spirit of Dr. King, we came together, even if it's virtually to commit ourselves to that vision. Be fierce and keep up the fight," said Rep. Deb Haaland.

Read the Full Article

Remote legislative session impacts Santa Fe restaurants, hotels

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The hospitality industry has taken a hit because of the pandemic and now there's a remote legislative session, some businesses in Santa Fe might face another blow. Because of the pandemic, restaurants are seeing fewer customers and hotels aren't booking as many reservations as normal.

Now that the Roundhouse is closed off to the public, they're worried they'll lose business they depend on this time of year. "That's a third of our entire inventory for the entire 60-day session and they all canceled, they had to, it's all virtual," said the owner of the Pueblo Bonito B&B, Amy Behm.