Debra Martin named state director of West Virginia Small Business Development Center
February 25, 2019CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Debra Martin has been named state director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC). The WV SBDC is a network of business coaches located throughout the state to assist small businesses at all stages of development, from startup to growth. WV SBDC is an accredited partner program with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is a division of the West Virginia Development Office. Martin joined the WV SBDC as deputy director in 2013 and was most recently serving as interim director. She has more than 20 years of experience in economic development. Before joining...
WV SBDC partners with Patriot Guardens for two-part small business training sessions in Nicholas County, Jan. 10
January 8, 2019No fee for business fundamentals event sponsored by RDFC SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — For the first time, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center is teaming with the West Virginia National Guard’s Patriot Guardens initiative to offer free business fundamentals training in two sessions. The two-part workshop will be held at the New River Community and Technical College's Nicholas County Campus, 6101 Webster Road, Summersville. Business Coach Harold Patterson will lead Session I. Business Coach Shannon Mitchell will lead Session II. Session I focuses on business fundamentals that entrepreneurs need to know to start a business in West Virginia. The first...
West Virginia launches first “Shop Small in July” campaign
June 28, 2017CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s first “Shop Small in July” campaign will urge citizens of the Mountain State to shop small and local throughout the month. The campaign will also encourage West Virginia small businesses to prepare for Small Business Saturday and the upcoming winter holiday shopping season. The inaugural “Shop Small in July” campaign is the brainchild of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia District Office (SBA). “By joining us in this ‘Shop Small in July’ summer campaign, we hope to spread the word and promote small businesses from...
Marsa Myers shines as WVSBDC 2017 State Star
June 27, 2017CHARLESTON, W.Va. — America’s Small Business Development Center will recognize Business Coach Marsa Myers as West Virginia’s 2017 State Star, announced Erika Bailey, state director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. The 2017 State Stars will be recognized during the America’s SBDC 37th Annual Conference this September in Nashville, Tennessee. Each year, the national organization recognizes outstanding SBDC members throughout the country. To be nominated, State Stars must demonstrate exemplary performance, make a significant contribution to their SBDC programs and show a strong commitment to small business development in their respective states. “Marsa’s performance has been stellar,” said...
National survey findings reflect on West Virginia small business
June 12, 2017America’s SBDC survey spotlights needs, challenges, to success CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The results of a national survey by America’s SBDC have been released by the West Virginia Small Business Development Center. “The survey highlights key aspirations and obstacles facing American entrepreneurs across the generations,” said WVSBDC Director Erika Bailey. “The survey also focused on access to capital and knowing where to find support services. The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has the expertise and experience to help.” America’s SBDC studied different generations’ views of entrepreneurship. The research looked at millennials (born between 1977 and 1995), Generation Xers (born between...
WVSBDC helps new owner find the right fit with shoe business
March 10, 2017West Virginia native Carla Siburt always wanted a business of her own. She found the right fit with Allen’s Bootery, a cornerstone of business in Moundsville for nearly 70 years. When the business was handed from father to son, the store kept up the traditions of customer service, providing precise measurements to find a comfortable fit and offering a selection styles. When the son was ready to retire, Allen’s Bootery was in jeopardy of being permanently shelved. That’s when Carla stepped up to buy the business. She decided to keep the established store name and traditional sit-and-fit service. Other areas,...
WVSBDC joins first national #SBDCDay March 22
March 8, 2017Campaign highlights the work of small business development centers CHARLESTON, W.Va. — America’s SBDC is spearheading #SBDCDay, the first national campaign to celebrate the work of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). West Virginia’s SBDC is joining the effort. #SBDCDay is March 22, the same date that the Small Business Development Center Act of 1977 was introduced. America’s SBDC chose that date for the first #SBDCDay to unite the country’s nearly 1,000 SBDCs with the hundreds of thousands of small businesses the centers have served. The day will feature virtual celebrations, along with real-time social media feeds and updates on SBDC...
Matthew Cummings takes post as new WVSBDC business coach
March 7, 2017CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Matthew Cummings joins the statewide network of business coaches under the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC), Director Erika Bailey announced today. “Matthew has years of experience in the finance and commercial banking fields for several institutions,” Bailey said. “The insights he brings to the table will present valuable advantages to West Virginia’s small businesses.” His areas of expertise include commercial loans, marketing and banking relationship management. Cummings graduated from the University of Charleston with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and from the West Virginia School of Banking. Cummings leads the WVSBDC office in...
WVSBDC Offers Small Business Workshop in Monongalia County
February 2, 2017Register for Feb. 23 Session on Business Fundamentals MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A workshop on Business Fundamentals is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, in Monongalia County. The workshop is part of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) training and business coaching program Three Step Jump Start to help small business owners receive the right information at the right time. The workshop will be held in Room 706 of the WVSBDC office, West Virginia University, Chestnut Ridge Research Building, 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown. Three Step Jump Start helps entrepreneurs and small business owners in...
WVSBDC Offers Small Business Workshop in Hardy County
February 2, 2017Register for Feb. 23 Session on Business Fundamentals MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — A workshop on “Business Fundamentals” is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, in Hardy County. The workshop is part of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) training and business coaching program Three Step Jump Start to help small business owners receive the right information at the right time. The workshop will be held in the WVSBDC office, Suite 2 conference room, 151 Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park Road, Moorefield. Three Step Jump Start helps entrepreneurs and small business owners in West Virginia accelerate...