West Virginia SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm Attends State Star Award Ceremony
October 6, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) business coach Donna Schramm recently attended the America’s SBDC National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was named West Virginia’s 2023 State Star award winner. "It was an honor and a privilege to represent West Virginia and the amazing work all our coaches do to help the small business community in this state. Nashville was a great host, but this West Virginia girl is glad to be back in the Mountain State," said Schramm. Schramm joins the ranks of honorees from each state recognized at America’s SBDC National Conference. The criteria...
SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm Receives 2023 WV SBDC State Star Award
July 20, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) recently announced that SBDC Business Coach Donna Schramm has been named West Virginia’s 2023 State Star. “Donna Schramm’s selection as the 2023 State Star recognizes her exemplary performance and commitment to the small businesses of West Virginia,” Steve Johnson, state director for the WV SBDC, said. “Donna provides her clients with expert business coaching that has resulted in increased access to capital, job creation, and enhanced efficiencies. She continues to be an invaluable resource to her clients and the entire WV SBDC network. Donna’s leadership, strategic thinking, and energy...
WV SBDC’s Huntington Center Relocates
May 24, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development, opened a new office in the River Tower in downtown Huntington. The downtown location will help entrepreneurs and business owners in the community by offering practical information to help grow local business, primarily covering Cabell, Mason Lincoln, and Wayne counties. Featured in this photo from left to right; Doug Harper, WVSBDC Business Coach, Tricia Ball, President & CEO of the Huntington Chamber "The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to have the West Virginia Small Business Development...
The WV SBDC opens satellite office in Shepherd University’s business lab
May 24, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has opened a new office in the Eastern Panhandle in partnership with Shepherd University’s business lab. From left to right: Dr. Benjamin Martz Dean College of Business; Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix President Shepherd University, Carol Goolsby, professor Shepherd University and part-time WV SBDC Business Coach, Michael Boyd WV SBDC Business Coach. “I believe this partnership between Shepherd University, College of Business (SU-COB) and the SBDC provides an important complement to the academic learning environment for our business students. Having SBDC on campus creates linking pins between SU-COB students...
The WV SBDC celebrates four small business winners this year during small business week
May 23, 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATbt9S6e7M CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) and Small Business Administration (SBA) WV District Office officials celebrated 2023 Small Business Week Award winners on May 3 at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center in Fairmont, WV. “National Small Business Week gives SBA the platform to highlight and brag on the nation’s 33.2 million small businesses. Not only are they the backbone of our economy, creating two thirds of net new jobs, but they are also the heart and soul, supporting the communities and making them a more vibrant place to live and work.” said...
Bridging Innovation Week 2023 Exceeds Expectations
May 16, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Bridging Innovation Week, the premier entrepreneurship event in West Virginia, recently concluded with resounding success. The event, which took place from April 17 to April 20, 2023 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, attracted a record-breaking number of attendees and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from all involved. “This week really drove home the commitment of stakeholders across the state in building the state’s ecosystem,” said Amber Ravenscroft, Co-Chair. “It was a testament to the growing momentum around entrepreneurship-led economic development in the Mountain State.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOYpm3kLHD4 This video was produced by Commerce Communications Over the course of four...
SBA announces the 2023 small business week winners
April 11, 2023CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), joined by Small Business Administration (SBA) WV District Office officials, is honoring clients who received 2023 Small Business Week Awards. “The WV SBDC is very proud of the success of all of our clients and the vital role that small business plays in our economy. We are honored to play a part in recognizing the great work these award winners are doing in WV and pledge to continue working to support small business growth and success across our great state.”, said Steve D. Johnson, State Director of the West...
Mark Burdette of WV BusinessLink featured on the Daily304’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs and Positively WV Podcasts
March 1, 2023Check out this week's episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs! Our very own Mark Burdette, the program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink was featured on this week's episode! Also, check out Mark's sit down interview with Jim Matuga, Host of the Positively WV podcast for a more in depth discussion about WV BusinessLink. West Virginia BusinessLink is a supportive platform that connects entrepreneurs and small business owners to a network of local, regional, and statewide resource partners to foster innovation, growth, and prosperity. West Virginia BusinessLink provides access to a network of over 150+ regional and statewide resources tailored specifically for...
WV SBDC names Mark Burdette as program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink
December 20, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), a division of the West Virginia Division of Economic Development, is excited to announce Mark D. Burdette as the new program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink. In this position, Burdette will oversee and promote West Virginia BusinessLink, a one-stop, online platform for entrepreneurs and business owners, including existing businesses, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs, for resources in the state. Before joining the West Virginia Division of Economic Development with WV SBDC, Burdette worked in the private sector as co-founder of Citynet, along with starting and growing many other small businesses...
WV SBDC Names Bret Chandler as New Business Coach for the Charleston Area
November 28, 2022CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has named Bret Chandler as a new business coach for the Charleston area. In the role, Chandler will draw on his three decades of experience as an entrepreneur and executive to help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow. Chandler holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Marshall University. “Bret has valuable first-hand experience as a successful executive and entrepreneur,” Steve Johnson, director of WV SBDC, said. “Combined with his strong work ethic, he is fully committed to helping ensure...