WV SBDC announces new Innovation-Technology initiative and the launch of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund
January 7, 2020CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) has launched a new specialized service called the Innovation-Technology program. “The Innovation-Technology program – or 'In-Tech' for short – will provide business coaching and technical assistance to West Virginia businesses driven to become more competitive by launching a new product or service, or improving the quality of an existing product or service through technology and innovation,” WV SBDC Director Debra Martin said. WV SBDC developed the In-Tech program to assist West Virginia small businesses to develop strategies and mitigate risks around the commercialization of new products, services, and...
Two WV SBDC coaches earn Certified Business Advisor certificates
December 19, 2019Graduate-level program affirms business coaching skills and knowledge CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two business coaches with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) have received Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certificates. WV SBDC Business Coaches Shannon Mitchell and Harold Patterson completed the graduate-level e-learning course through the accredited Kent State University. “The CBA certification shows our WV SBDC coaches have met a high standard of professional achievement. Even more important is what it means for the small businesses who are our clients,” said State Director Debra Martin. “Our clients and funding partners have this added assurance that our...
WV SBDC creates new post to advance digital marketing skills
September 12, 2019Roxy Turner becomes WV SBDC’s first digital marketing specialist CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has named Roxy Turner to fill the newly created position of digital marketing specialist, State Director Debra Martin announced today. “Roxy Turner joins WV SBDC as our first digital marketing specialist,” Martin said. “We created this position to advance our digital marketing expertise to the next level. That’s necessary for our mission to equip our West Virginia business clients with the skills and tools they need to succeed.” The services of the new digital specialist will focus on small-business owners who want...
WV SBDC invites small businesses to take survey about needs, challenges
August 9, 2019Online survey ends Aug. 31 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — What do small businesses need to succeed and grow West Virginia? The state’s small-business owners have an opportunity to answer that question in an online survey from the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). Business owners can take the survey at wvsbdc.com/survey.html. The survey remains open until midnight, Saturday, Aug. 31. “The survey is an opportunity for business owners to tell the state what’s going on with their business and what they need to step up to the next level of success, “ said WV SBDC State Director Debra Martin....
WV SBDC adds West Virginia native Will Miller as new business coach
August 1, 2019CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Will Miller joins the statewide network of business coaches under the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC), State Director Debra Martin announced today.W “Will has a solid grounding in marketing and economic development,” Martin said. “With his experience in both private and government sectors, he will be able to hit the ground running to help West Virginia’s small businesses succeed and grow.” Raised in Sissonville in Kanawha County, Miller attended West Virginia University. He attained his Bachelor of Science in marketing and a Master of Business Administration in international business. He has held marketing, sales...
Business Coach Shannon Mitchell receives 2019 WV SBDC State Star award
July 30, 2019CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Business Coach Shannon Mitchell is being honored as West Virginia’s 2019 State Star, announced Debra Martin, state director for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). Mitchell will join a constellation of SBDC State Star honorees from each state who will be recognized during the 39th Annual America’s SBDC Conference, Sept. 3-6, 2019, in Long Beach, California. The criteria for State Stars include being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to their state or SBDC program, and showing a strong commitment to small business. “Shannon brings real-world experience and understanding to her position as...
Corduroy Inn kicks off expansion with groundbreaking ceremony at Snowshoe
July 29, 2019SNOWSHOE, W.Va. - The Corduroy Inn hosts a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, July 29, at 3 p.m. to officially launch the facility's expansion, at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The event will take place at the build site next to the Inn, followed by refreshments and hors d'oeuvre served inside Corduroy Inn. The inn, located within the Snowshoe ski resort, will remain open during the expansion. The estimated completion date is November 2020, in time for the 2020/2021 ski season. The upscale boutique hotel currently offers 12 guest suites. The new structure will add approximately 37,000 square feet with a combination of lodging...
WV SBDC deputy director, coaches, earn Certified Business Advisor certificates
July 3, 2019Graduate-level program confirms business coaching skills and knowledge CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Three members of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) have added new credentials to their professional training. WV SBDC Deputy Director Steve Johnson, Business Coach Donna Schramm and Business Coach Marsa Myers recently received Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certificates. They completed the graduate-level e-learning course through the accredited Kent State University. The CBA program’s three primary courses are marketing, accounting/finance and human resources. Each course covers multiple sessions, such as strategic planning, pricing, breakeven analysis, finance sources, employee recruiting and performance management. “Working one-on-one or as...
Bright Futures Learning Services recognized as U.S. SBA Woman-Owned Small Business of the year
April 15, 2019Winfield business hosts U.S. SBA leaders in recognition of April Autism Awareness Month CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Bright Futures Learning Services hosted several executives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Winfield today. SBA Regional Administrator, Michelle Christian, visited the Bright Futures facility to raise awareness of Autism Awareness Month and recognize local business owner, Jill Scarbro-McLaury. Scarbro-McLaury founded Bright Futures in 2007. She recently expanded the practice and improved the facility with resource made possible by an SBA 504 loan. Bright Futures Learning Services provides behavioral treatment services to help improve the lives of children with autism. The...
Steve Johnson selected as deputy state director of West Virginia Small Business Development Center
April 12, 2019CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Steve Johnson has been named deputy state director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). The WV SBDC operates a network of business coaches located throughout the state. The coaches assist small businesses at all stages of development, from startup to expansion. WV SBDC business coaches have professional certifications in areas such as exporting, innovation, technology and economic development, finance, management, cybersecurity and marketing. The WV SBDC is a division of the West Virginia Development Office and is an accredited partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration. “I’ve been in and around...