From left, NNMC Board of Regents President Michael A. Martin, Chief of Staff/Vice President for Finance and Administration Denise Montoya, PhD, The Lazy Buffalo Trading Co. LLC Co-owners Melissa De La Cruz (full of emotion) and her sister Molly De La Cruz, SBDC Director Julianna Martinez-Barbee and NNMC President Hector Balderas, JD, CFE. Photo by Sandy Krolick/NNMC
SBDC News:
Northern New Mexico’s College (NNMC) President Hector Balderas opened graduation with a recognition tribute to 18-year-old Melissa De La Cruz and her 12-year-old sister Molly, owners of The Lazy Buffalo Trading Co. LLC and to SBDC Director Julianna Barbee for assisting them in their success.
“We are honored to partner with community leaders such as the De La Cruz family, and we are grateful for the hard work of Julianna Barbee and the Small Business Development Center in supporting their success,” Balderas said. “This exciting opportunity is part of Northern s strategic plan to give students and our community more food choices, while providing opportunities for small businesses to grow and contribute to the local economy as we continue to transform the student experience at Northern.”
The Lazy Buffalo Trading Co. LLC coffee/food truck is providing services on Tuesdays to NNMC staff and faculty. This has been such a great success. NNMC and SBDC are working together to help the Lazy Buffalo Trading Co. expand their services by offering coffee/food services on campus through the NNMC Cultural Café.
“The symbolic collaboration between Northern New Mexico College and the Small Business Development Center with the help of SBDC Director Julianna Barbee has played a pivotal role in nurturing essential connections and providing valuable resources for all stakeholders,” said Denise Montoya, NNMC Chief of Staff/Vice President for Finance and Administration. “In tandem with The Lazy Buffalo Trading Company, led by young entrepreneurs, this partnership serves as both a source of inspiration for talented individuals and a catalyst for empowerment among aspiring young entrepreneurs within our local community. Together, they epitomize the profound impact of collective endeavors in fostering enduring growth and prosperity in Northern New Mexico. Graduation was an opportune time to recognize their success.”
Melissa De La Cruz said she and her sister are honored to have received such a beautiful gift from Northern New Mexico College alongside the SBDC.
“We were truly shocked to be recognized alongside our Northern New Mexico graduates. I was personally so touched to be acknowledged alongside the Northern community and be recognized as part of the NNMC family. I feel as though we have truly found our place, our home, and our family,” she said. “We are so excited for the next steps in joining and providing an even better service for all the faculty, students, and staff. We are planning to expand into the Northern New Mexico College Café with the guidance of SBDC Director Julianna Barbee, and while changing locations can be a challenge she has been showing us our own capabilities as well as expanding our minds to more possibilities and ideas that will be of service not only to ourselves but our community members and other small businesses. We are looking forward to future partnerships with other businesses that will benefit the public and ourselves, an option we had never even thought of! Mrs. Barbee, ‘our business angel’ has been so good to us and has always been there for every question and assistance in every aspect. We are truly grateful for all the efforts she has put in to assist us, she has always been only one call away. “
De La Cruz is working on a transition business plan with the help of Barbee with plans to continue the coffee/food truck for weekend events. She is recognizing the advantages that a café can offer for example having a larger kitchen, larger staff, more customers and more flexibility.
“Northern New Mexico College has been supporting us and encouraging us each step of the way,” De La Cruz said. “They are the ones who created this wonderful opportunity and inspired us to be more. President Balderas and Dr. Montoya have ensured that we have everything we need; they have been more than willing to help us and inspire us as we grow closer within the college community. We extend our gratitude to Northern New Mexico College and SBDC Director Julianna Barbee for making our dreams possible, our dreams broader and expanding our horizons to new opportunities!”
The Lazy Buffalo Trading Co. has created a brand impression and loyal customers and for now you can still find them on Tuesdays at the NNMC Center of the Arts parking lot.
“Melissa and Mollie are not afraid of pushing themselves to learn more by stepping out of their comfort zone to try something new,” Barbee said. “Transitioning from coffee food truck to a college café will have many benefits as well as challenges, but through planning, continuous learning and creativity, dreams happen! The support and collaboration of NNMC has been crucial to their success. This partnership has also allowed an opportunity for Melissa and Molly to be innovative. The possibilities are many; new products, new culinary services, creative coffee flavors, new local partnerships, and of course job creation.”
