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...
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...