The Heart of Business

New Mexico Sun
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

Hosted by Carla Sonntag, this series celebrates the backbone of our economy: small business owners. Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys, entrepreneurial grit, and community contributions of New Mexico’s local business leaders. Real stories. Real impact. Local heroes.

Episodes

  1. Jan 7

    Defiant Wealth Management in New Mexico w/Mark Trimmer

    In this in-depth Heart of Business interview, Mark Trimmer of Raymond James shares his unconventional approach to wealth management, investment strategy, and financial advising in New Mexico. From navigating market volatility and resisting one-size-fits-all portfolio models to leading through economic storms, Trimmer explains why experience, adaptability, and client trust matter more than formulas. A candid conversation on independent financial advising, long-term investing, leadership gaps in New Mexico, and what it takes to protect and grow wealth in uncertain times. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    32 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Why Small Business Still Matters in New Mexico: A Conversation with John Thomas

    John Thomas, founder of John Thomas Jewelers, shares his journey from Niagara Falls to Albuquerque and how he built one of the most innovative custom jewelry businesses in the United States. In this in-depth conversation, Thomas discusses entrepreneurship in New Mexico, ethical business practices, custom manufacturing, workforce loyalty, public safety challenges, and why small businesses remain the true heart of the state’s economy. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    30 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    New Mexico Roofing & Solar in Crisis

    In this episode of The Heart of Business, Dave Simmons—founder of EverGuard Roofing—shares his journey from the lumber and biomass energy industries to building New Mexico’s largest roofing company. Simmons breaks down the sharp collapse in new construction, the realities of paying skilled trade workers fair wages, and why government policy has distorted both the roofing and solar markets. From stalled public projects and disappearing solar grants to workforce shortages and infrastructure failures, this conversation offers a candid look at what New Mexico businesses are facing right now—and what policymakers are getting wrong. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    25 min

  4. 11/13/2025

    Homegrown Healing: Dr. Sandra Y. Herrera-Spinelli on Mental Health, Immigrant Roots, and Building New Mexico’s Wellness Workforce

    Dr. Sandra Y. Herrera-Spinelli shares her remarkable journey from a Mexican-American, first-generation New Mexican to founder of Wellness From Within, a growing mental-health practice serving families, first responders, veterans, and working women across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. In this conversation, she opens up about her immigrant family story, her father’s U.S. Army service, the challenges of building a behavioral-health workforce, the struggle small practices face with insurance and policy implementation, and her mission to provide accessible care for communities often caught between high deductibles and limited support. This interview offers an honest look at the heart, grit, and advocacy behind one of New Mexico’s most community-rooted mental-health leaders. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    34 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    Integrity and Leadership in New Mexico Real Estate

    In this episode of The Heart of Business, host Carla Sonntag sits down with Cassandra Morrison, a 20-year veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department turned real-estate leader with Real Broker. Morrison shares her journey from crisis negotiations to managing over 200 brokers across New Mexico—discussing integrity, mentorship, and how technology is transforming real estate. She opens up about why she stayed in Albuquerque, the challenges of leadership, and her call for stronger business-minded leadership in New Mexico. A candid look at professionalism, perseverance, and what it takes to keep New Mexico moving forward. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    34 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    Gerald Hamilton on Building Compassionate Care: The Beehive Homes Model in New Mexico

    In this episode of The Heart of Business, host Carla Sonntag, President and CEO of the New Mexico Business Coalition, sits down with Gerald Hamilton, owner of nine Beehive Homes assisted living franchises across New Mexico and Nevada. Hamilton shares his journey from nursing home administration in California to becoming a hands-on business owner dedicated to creating small, family-style assisted living environments. The conversation explores the differences between nursing homes and assisted living, the challenges of staffing and regulation, the evolving needs of senior care, and what makes New Mexico’s business climate both promising and difficult for care providers. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, policymaker, or family member navigating elder care, this episode offers insight into what compassionate, community-rooted care really looks like in practice. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    20 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    From Zippers to Zeal: How Albuquerque’s Luggage Repairman Keeps Craftsmanship Alive

    In this episode of Heart of Business, host Carla Sonntag sits down with Joel Grieshaber, owner of Albuquerque Luggage & Zipper Repair, to talk about how a New Jersey musician became New Mexico’s go-to craftsman for everything from backpacks to body bags. Grieshaber shares how he built his business on recycling, resilience, and an old-school work ethic that’s carried him through 9/11, the 2008 crash, and COVID shutdowns—all while balancing life, travel, and drumming gigs. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    31 min

  8. 10/08/2025

    From Sandia Labs to Small-Town Success: How Noelle Gemmer Turned Manzano Mountain Retreat into New Mexico’s Family Getaway

    In this inspiring episode of Heart of Business, Noelle Gemmer of Manzano Mountain Retreat shares how her family transformed a former summer camp into a thriving, year-round destination for weddings, corporate retreats, and community festivals. Discover how this tight-knit New Mexico family built a business rooted in hospitality, faith, and local pride—creating jobs, welcoming neighbors, and reviving a rural gem in the heart of Torreon.   Watch Full-Length Interview: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    37 min

  9. 08/13/2025

    Walter Bracken on Building BMC Tactical, Serving New Mexico, and Defending the Firearms Industry

    In this episode of The Heart of Business, Carla Sonntag talks with Walter Bracken, owner of BMC Tactical, about his journey from a family automotive business to running one of New Mexico’s premier firearms and tactical supply companies. Walter shares the story of starting out with just $500, how BMC has grown into multiple locations, and the challenges and opportunities of running a small business in New Mexico. They discuss law enforcement partnerships, educating the public about firearms laws, and why Walter believes in staying and building a better future for the state. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    17 min

  10. 08/07/2025

    From East Coast Hustle to New Mexico Vision: Rich Ringrose on Albuquerque City Lifestyle

    In this episode of The Heart of Business, Carla Sonntag sits down with Rich Ringrose, owner and publisher of Albuquerque City Lifestyle magazine. Rich shares his journey from coaching football and launching marketing firms on the East Coast to reshaping local media in New Mexico. They discuss entrepreneurship, the power of niche publishing, challenges in New Mexico’s healthcare system, and why hyper-local storytelling is thriving. Discover how Ringrose is building community, supporting small businesses, and planning to grow his impact across the state. Check out: Albuquerque City Lifestyle Magazine 🔗 https://citylifestyle.com/albuquerque-nm New Mexico Business Coalition (Host Organization) 🔗 https://nmbizcoalition.org Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    20 min

  11. 07/29/2025

    Paul Jew on Moji Cinema, Legacy, and Local Impact

    In the premiere episode of Heart of Business podcast, host Carla Sonntag (President, New Mexico Business Coalition) sits down with Paul Jew, founder of Moji Cinema, to uncover the remarkable story behind one of Albuquerque’s most community-rooted creative businesses. From humble beginnings in the BARELAS neighborhood to leading a cutting-edge video production firm that helps New Mexico businesses tell their story and grow their audience, Paul shares: - His family’s multigenerational journey from China to Albuquerque - Why he pivoted from photography to filmmaking - How Moji Cinema blends storytelling with digital strategy - His passion for local business, education, and community transformation - A sneak peek at an upcoming feature film based on a powerful true story This series highlights the people behind New Mexico’s small businesses—their grit, vision, values, and the challenges they overcome to build a better state. 📌 Subscribe to follow future episodes featuring the unsung heroes building New Mexico from the ground up. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@NewMexicoSunPodcasts/videos

    26 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Hosted by Carla Sonntag, this series celebrates the backbone of our economy: small business owners. Each episode dives deep into the personal journeys, entrepreneurial grit, and community contributions of New Mexico’s local business leaders. Real stories. Real impact. Local heroes.

Information

  • Creator
    New Mexico Sun
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Federal Newswire
  • Show Website
    The Heart of Business