Noelle Gemmer shares how her family turned Manzano Mountain Retreat into a year-round New Mexico destination for weddings, retreats, and community events rooted in family and local pride.

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.

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

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.