The City of Santa Fe has a history of supporting women in business. Debbie Collins said there's a reason New Mexico's capital city is seen as a model for others to follow. Mr. Collins is the director of the Santa Fe Small Business Development Center. “It's often said that somehow this city has more women business owners per capita than anywhere else,” Collins said. She has helped other women find their way in the business world. One of her success stories is her fashion store “wear your GRACE” in Santa Fe, owned by Hilary Randolph. “Here in Santa Fe, we have a great group of women who have been mentors and colleagues, and we share our ideas, our thoughts, our opinions. We have experienced it,” Randolph said. “I think that's one of the reasons I've been successful.'' Randolph cited Collins as one of his mentors during his time in management. She began her career path after visiting her mother in Santa Fe in 1999, and she never left the area. “Debbie Collins, she changed my life and my business in so many ways,” Randolph said. “Not only did she coach me on where the resources were and how to get them, but she was able to share that with her other friends who are entrepreneurs.” said Randolph. For Collins, reflecting on her legacy and impact is her way of keeping Santa Fe's female business owners moving forward. “When you're younger, you think you're doing what you're supposed to do, but now you have time to really think about your life and what you want to do,” Collins said. “The women who come here… I feel like I connect with them. They're really soulful and real and they ask questions.'' Stay up to date with the latest news on the KOAT app. You can download it here. .
The City of Santa Fe has a history of supporting women in business.
Debbie Collins said there's a reason New Mexico's capital city is seen as a model for others to follow. Collins is director of the Santa Fe Small Business Development Center.
“For some reason, it's often said that this city has more female business owners per capita than anywhere else,” Collins said.
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Collins has helped other women find their way in the business world. One of her success stories is her fashion store “wear your GRACE” in Santa Fe, owned by Hilary Randolph.
“Here in Santa Fe, we have a great group of women who have been mentors and colleagues, sharing our ideas, thoughts and experiences,” Randolph said. “I think that's one of the reasons I've been successful.”
Randolph cited Collins as one of his mentors during his time as a business owner. She began her career in 1999 by visiting her mother in Santa Fe, and she never left the area after that.
“Debbie Collins, she changed my life and my business in so many ways,” Randolph said. “She not only coached me on where the resources were and how to get them;
“Then I was able to share it with other friends who are entrepreneurs,” Randolph said.
For Collins, reflecting on her legacy and impact is a way to continue moving forward for women business owners in Santa Fe.
“When you're younger, you think you're just doing what you do, but now you have time to really think about your life and what you want to do,” Collins said. “I feel a connection to the women who come here. They're really soulful and genuine and they ask questions.”
Get the latest news with the KOAT app.You can download here.
