In June I attended the Slow Money Gathering, a conscious gathering of nearly 600 people interested in putting investments into local food and sustainable agricultural projects. Our Regional Food and Fuels Project was chosen for the Entrepreneurs Showcase. It was a great honor to be among some amazing food entrepreneurs and learn from each other. [...]

More than half of the independently owned enterprises in the U.S. (52 percent) are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. In New Mexico, small businesses make up 71 percent of the economic activity. As the executive director of the Santa Fe Alliance, an association that represents locally owned independent businesses in New Mexico, I [...]

The Santa Fe Alliance was recently featured on Ventureneer.com blog, a site for “building successful enterprises with heart.” Read the blog post here: http://www.ventureneer.com

Chef Michael Singley has joined his father, StanSingley, at The Pantry restaurant. Michael is a recent graduate of the famed Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Ariz. He has entered into an apprenticeship with his father “to continue learning the intricacies in running one of Santa Fe’s oldest and most successful restaurants,” an e-mail [...]

Treat yourself to a little green fun this Earth Day on Thursday April 22! We are proud to present Scott Cooney, eco-preneur expert from San Francisco as a special guest at Green Drinks at Rio Chama. Starting at 6pm with great local appetizers and a cash bar. Space is limited so RSVP TODAY! 989-5362 Learn [...]

This week, we’re at the American Independent Business Alliance (www.amiba.net) national gathering in Tampa, talking about social media, funding for IBAs, growing IBAs, sharing best practices and how to best support and promote our local independent businesses.  Nearly 50 people are here from dozens of IBAs around the country.  Last night’s opening reception featured local [...]

What does “going green” really mean for Wal-Mart?  Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project and author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses. Read the article here: http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/putting-walmarts-green-moves-context

This is a great piece written by the founder of the American Independent Business Alliance, Jeff Milchen.  SF Alliance is a proud member of AMIBA and one of the largest networks in the country.  Help us spread the Local First message! Here’s the opening paragraph of the story . . . The 2009 holiday season [...]

We are excited about the launch of our new, informative, interactive website.  Now you can find up to the minute event postings, workshop listings, interesting news and information about local economies. You can also find lots of great local businesses, shop with your friends and neighbors in our new business directory and stay in touch [...]

Our holiday party was a great success! Thanks to all our party sponsors: Simply Delicious: Paula Escudero, Cowgirl BBQ and Western Grill, La Montanita Coop, Santa Fe Complex, Santa Fe Brewing Company, Amanda’s Flowers, Ross Hamlin, Musician Almost 200 Alliance members and friends celebrated the season with us, at Santa Fe Complex. We enjoyed live [...]