Immigrant is Turning Thread into Gold

Veronica Fuller worked in production sewing even before she immigrated from Mexico almost 35 years ago. When her employer was ready to retire in 2022, Fuller purchased the 30-year-old business specializing in dog collars and pet leashes. Fuller is the CEO and creative force that drives the four-person team at Sandia Pet Products, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sales are wholesale to pet supply stores, clothing retailers, and under exclusive licensing for sports teams such as the University of New Mexico Lobos and New Mexico United Soccer.

Fuller, who had creative and production experience but lacked financial, computer, and management skills, learned about New Mexico MEP, part of the MEP National Network™, from a garment manufacturer within her business network.  New Mexico MEP Innovation Director Denise Williams began working with Fuller to identify knowledge gaps and production weaknesses, evaluate new markets, and connect her with resources that could strengthen her business skills.

While Fuller worked with the business development organization WESST, New Mexico MEP’s Williams helped Fuller improve cash flow and workflow by reducing waste. Old inventory was trimmed, computer files were updated, and systems were put in place to track orders, customers, and processes. Ideas for growth were put into an implementation schedule to enable Fuller’s creativity to be applied to other industries that need production sewing.