Tag Archive: Educational Resource
February 1, 2023 10:00 am
Buzz Foods is a locally-owned and operated business in Charleston, WV that has been providing world-class meat and seafood to chefs in hotels, resorts, and other establishments since 1938. The company is currently owned and operated by Dickinson Gould, who is the 3rd generation to own and operate the business. With a reputation for providing honest food, advice, and service, Buzz Foods is a trusted name in the industry. In this blog, you’ll learn: How West Virginia Capital Access Program helps small businesses and startups looking to get funded How WVCAP client Buzz Foods used the Collateral Support program to[...]
February 1, 2023 8:00 am
The movie Groundhog Day tells the story of a weatherman who is stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. While the movie is a comedy, repetition, and stagnation can be too real for many business owners. Just like the weatherman in the movie, you can break out of the cycle and achieve your goals. This blog post will explore identifying signs of repetition and the importance of setting specific goals and taking action to meet your business goals. In this blog, you’ll learn: How you can identify signs of repetition in your business and[...]
January 3, 2023 11:30 am
With the new year just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about analyzing your business performance in 2023. As the business world continues to evolve, companies need to track their performance and adjust as needed. This means understanding where you are now, where you want to be, and how to get there. In this article, we will discuss the key components of analyzing your business performance and provide actionable tips for improving your results in 2022. In this blog, you’ll learn: How to determine which goals are most useful for the year ahead & what you should[...]
July 7, 2022 6:00 am
National Emoji Day is this month, on July 17th. Emojis have an interesting history, dating back to 1990s chat rooms. By 1999, the characters put together to express emotions in a chat room were given a name. “Emoji” comes from the Japanese words for “picture” and “letter” – only coincidentally sounding like the word “emotion.” More than 20 years later, emojis have only taken a firmer hold. There are approximately 3400 emojis in use today and it’s hard to imagine a society without them. At 3 Steps to Start Up, one of our “three steps” for supporting innovators in West[...]
July 5, 2022 6:00 am
Part of our mission at 3 Steps to Startup is to let the talents and innovation of West Virginians shine. We have real local pride in the businesses we help thrive, and as we celebrate the fourth of July this month, we naturally feel extra patriotic. To put that patriotism on full display this blog is all about celebrating some homegrown West Virginia businesses that 3 Steps to Startup is honored to have worked with. Greenbrier Technical Services: Greenbrier is a tech company founded on serving the restaurant, banking, and mining industries. They manufacture circuit boards and other parts in[...]
June 7, 2022 10:00 am
“What’s long, brown, and sticky?” If your dad is particularly inclined to tell dad jokes, you have probably heard this one before. The answer, of course? “A stick.” [Slow clap] Dads can lend a special light to our lives, not least of which is bad humor. On the other hand, they are also sources of immense wisdom if we can tap into that wisdom. They’ve experienced so much more than we have! We can observe the same phenomenon when it comes to older, wiser mentors in the business. Some entrepreneurs are lucky enough to count their father as their mentor[...]
June 7, 2022 6:00 am
One of the ways we support West Virginia small businesses at 3 Steps to StartUp is by spreading useful knowledge. Our venture fairs and LIINC events last year brought innovators and entrepreneurs together to share their technical knowledge with aspiring small business owners. We also strive to provide information through our blog with posts like this one! Social media cannot be ignored in today’s business world. With widespread social media use by consumers, a small business would be making a mistake to skip participating in social media. Business social media pages are a primary source of inbound marketing in today’s[...]
May 17, 2022 1:11 pm
Earlier this month, we celebrated National Small Business Week, and West Virginian entrepreneurs have much to celebrate! In West Virginia, our small business climate has been steadily growing. Specifically, between 2018 and 2021, we’ve seen a 50% growth year-over-year in business filings. When you keep in mind that this span of years also played host to a global pandemic, it is clear West Virginia truly is a land of opportunity for small business entrepreneurs. Our state has claimed this success by moving the business registration process online, making it easier to access the means to start a business. We have[...]
April 19, 2022 6:00 am
Spring has arrived, and that means ‘tis the season for spring cleaning! Your small business is no exception when it comes to the need for refreshing. At 3 Steps to Startup, we are in the business of providing support for entrepreneurs throughout West Virginia at all stages. If you’re hoping to start a new business, there’s no time like the present! Jump in with support from our program! If you’re a first-time entrepreneur already in business, utilize these 4 strategies to do some “spring cleaning” for your business. Update and refresh your website and social media pages Your website[...]
March 1, 2022 8:00 am
Many entrepreneurs attribute the success of their businesses to hard work… and a little bit of luck. This month, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we ask: is luck the determining factor for a business’s success? The consensus is no. Entrepreneurs who credit good luck for their success usually indicate that it is only a portion of what goes into business success – and far smaller than the majority. Most of them give luck credit amounting to 20% or less. When pressed, the common thread for what people consider “luck” is actually just good timing. Elon Musk revealed that Tesla[...]
