From Student to Entrepreneur: How One Albuquerque Intern is Building His Future

Success Stories

From Student to Entrepreneur: How One Albuquerque Intern is Building His Future

When Jaiden Torrez first heard about the opportunity to intern with the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office, he had a simple belief about entrepreneurship: find some funding, start a business, and the rest would take care of itself. A few months into the program, that perspective has been completely transformed.

Jaiden, a high school student simultaneously enrolled part-time at CNM, discovered the internship through his school. Made possible through funding from Jobs for the Future, the program offers students a range of career tracks, from healthcare to construction, with Jaden drawn immediately to the entrepreneurship path.

“Before I came into the program, my perspective was: I just get up, ask for funding from somewhere, start my business, and then it’s golden,” Jaiden shared. “And it’s not like that.”

Working alongside Small Business Office staff, attending daily meetings with business owners, and participating in community networking events has given Jaiden a front-row seat to the real demands of entrepreneurship. A planning analogy from his mentor stuck with him, building a business, like planning a trip to Disneyland, requires far more preparation than most young entrepreneurs anticipate.

Part of Jaiden’s internship has been based out of City Hall, where he works with program staff on various projects. “It feels like a professional job,” he said. “You’re dealing with large amounts of money. It’s such a good experience.”

Jaiden’s entrepreneurial instincts are already focused: he loves cars, and he wants to build a business around them, whether detailing, mobile mechanics, or something else in the automotive space. Critically, he wants to remain hands-on. “I want to own my own business while still working on the cars,” he said. “I don’t want a short-term business. I want a lifetime business.”

He’s also thinking seriously about college, now leaning toward a business degree to complement the practical knowledge he’s gaining in the field.

Jaiden’s advice to peers considering participating in an internship with the Small Business Office: don’t hesitate. “Take this opportunity and use it for yourself, learn and build your mindset. It’s definitely a good experience for anyone interested in opening their own business.”

And when it comes to money and investing, another topic the program introduced him to, he’s equally clear: “Definitely do it, but just know how to do it. Don’t gamble your money.”