Tag Archive: Educational Resource
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[...]
February 1, 2022 8:00 am
February is typically a month that people start to think about how they’ll show others they care. We think that February should inspire you to show yourself some care as well! Entrepreneurs can seem super-human, but they are no exception when it comes to needing self-care. Small business owners report working twice as much as regular employees. The number of hours entrepreneurs work is not the only reason they might need to treat themselves every once in a while. If you need more convincing, here’s a list of more reasons entrepreneurs need self-care: They are under immense stress, one source[...]
January 4, 2022 8:00 am
West Virginia BusinessLink and 3 Steps to Startup Team up for West Virginia Business Success The business growth that West Virginia has experienced just in the past three years has been spectacular. Following 2018, each year has shown an almost 50% increase in business registrations in the Mountain State. Statistics show 4,345 new business formations from 2010 to 2020, and we expect that once the data is published, 2021 will evidence even more growth for West Virginia businesses. These numbers are nothing short of impressive, especially during nearly two years of business experiencing strain by a global pandemic affecting everything[...]
December 30, 2021 7:00 am
3 Steps Year in Review It was an eventful 2021 here at 3 Steps to Startup! What started as a year of hopefulness with some uncertainty has finished with even more optimism and an opportunity to reflect on West Virginia’s economic growth, including the formation of well over 12,000 new small businesses. At 3 Steps to Startup, we are proud to have played a part in furthering our state’s goals for economic growth. Throughout 2021, new entrepreneurs and veteran small business owners connected with us for help with their businesses. We have assisted them with information gathering, commercialization of ideas,[...]
December 21, 2021 8:00 am
2021 is coming to a close and next year is your year! Do you have a business idea that you just haven’t followed through with yet? 3 Steps to Startup can help you turn your plans into action, and there’s no better time than right now to make it happen. Our Master Class Series is a good place to start if you’re exploring a business idea. Otherwise, here are four things you need to do to ensure your business idea can become a reality in 2022. Formulate a Business Plan Your startup needs a business plan. What exactly does that[...]