Small Business Owners Recount Shopify Hacking Ordeal

Southwest Statements jewelry co-owners Amanda Stevenson and Cassandra Rose Cooper share their harrowing experience of being targeted by cybercriminals.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:57am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph showing a shattered glass piggy bank with its contents spilled across a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the financial devastation caused by a hacking incident.The financial and emotional toll of a cybersecurity breach can leave small business owners feeling violated and vulnerable, as Southwest Statements' co-owners discovered.Santa Fe Today

Amanda Stevenson and Cassandra Rose Cooper, co-owners of the online jewelry business Southwest Statements, found their Shopify account drained of thousands of dollars by hackers using a series of small charges. The incident left their thriving digital business in a precarious position, unable to run ads or expand, and forced them to temporarily shut down their website. The co-owners emphasize the emotional toll of the violation and the growing trend of small businesses being targeted by cybercriminals, underscoring the importance of vigilance and digital resilience in the face of such threats.

Why it matters

This story highlights the vulnerabilities that small businesses face in the digital landscape, where cybercriminals target them with sophisticated hacking tactics. The financial and emotional impact of such attacks can be devastating, threatening the very existence of these enterprises. As more commerce moves online, the need for robust cybersecurity measures and awareness among small business owners becomes increasingly crucial.

The details

Southwest Statements, an online jewelry venture co-owned by Amanda Stevenson and Cassandra Rose Cooper, was the victim of a Shopify account hack that drained their funds through a series of small, under-$2 charges totaling thousands of dollars. The co-owners were unable to run ads, expand into new markets, or even keep their website operational during the aftermath of the attack, which they described as a 'sense of violation' that went beyond just the financial loss.

  • Southwest Statements was founded in 2022.
  • The hacking incident occurred in early 2026.

The players

Amanda Stevenson

Co-owner of Southwest Statements, an online jewelry business inspired by her grandmother's heirloom jewelry.

Cassandra Rose Cooper

Co-owner of Southwest Statements, who joined Amanda in growing the online jewelry venture.

Southwest Statements

An online jewelry business that operated seamlessly through Shopify, until it was targeted by hackers who drained its funds.

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What they’re saying

“It's not just about the money. It's the sense of violation. Our entire business was compromised.”

— Cassandra Rose Cooper, Co-owner, Southwest Statements

“It's like being robbed, but without the physical threat. Yet, the impact is just as devastating.”

— Amanda Stevenson, Co-owner, Southwest Statements

What’s next

Southwest Statements is encouraging customers to reach out via Instagram for local pickups and plans to attend upcoming markets in Santa Fe and Casa Rondeña Winery as they work to rebuild their business in the wake of the hacking incident.

The takeaway

This story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that small businesses face in the digital age, where cybercriminals target them with sophisticated hacking tactics. The financial and emotional toll of such attacks can be devastating, underscoring the critical need for small business owners to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures and digital resilience in order to protect their livelihoods.