Tag Archive: generating ideas

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Unlock your creativity: Lessons from Tolkien Reading Day

March 1, 2024 12:00 am

Unleashing the dragon of creativity within your business isn’t always easy. Like Bilbo Baggins, you might need to dig deep and embark on an unexpected journey to awaken your imaginative prowess.    Just as Tolkien Reading Day celebrates the creative genius of J.R.R. Tolkien, this blog post is intended to help you spark your business creativity using principles inspired by Tolkien’s world-building techniques. Understand the Importance of Creativity in Business Embracing creativity in the business landscape is no longer an optional extra, but a crucial cornerstone of success. Infusing creative thinking into every facet of your venture, from the strategies[...]

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Fight Procrastination Day: Practical Tips for Tackling Critical Yet Difficult Tasks

September 1, 2023 8:00 am

Procrastination is a common struggle that many individuals face when confronted with challenging or uncertain tasks. The tendency to put off important responsibilities can hinder productivity and lead to increased stress levels. Recognizing the impact of this habit, Fight Procrastination Day serves as a reminder to overcome procrastination and embrace effective strategies to accomplish critical tasks that may appear difficult or uncertain. In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips to help you overcome procrastination and make significant strides toward your goals. In this blog, you’ll learn:  Discover strategies to conquer procrastination and enhance productivity around challenging tasks. Explore effective[...]

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Going Solo: How To Be A Solopreneur That Actually Gets Things Done

May 9, 2023 9:00 am

In recent years, more and more people have opted to become self-employed and work as solopreneurs. While self-employment offers many advantages, it also presents unique challenges that can impact a solopreneur’s ability to get things done. In this article, we will explore the impact of being a solopreneur on productivity, efficiency, time management, and some WV resources for solo entrepreneurs. In this blog, you’ll learn: The rise of self-employment and the advantages it offers The challenges faced by solopreneurs The impact of being a solopreneur on productivity and efficiency and how to make the best use of your valuable time[...]

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WVCAP Client Spotlight: Americarbon Enterprises, LLC

May 2, 2023 9:00 am

West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT), in partnership with C.C. Dickinson Family Holdings and PointSquared Ventures, has announced the closing of initial capital investment into AmeriCarbon Enterprises, LLC. Morgantown-based AmeriCarbon has developed a patented and proprietary Eco-PitchTM chemical process that produces a tailored carbon pitch material. In this blog, you’ll learn: What the West Virginia Capital Access Program is and how it helps small businesses How strategic partnerships with economic development organizations like the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust help small businesses achieve their goals How seed investments, like the one led by the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust for[...]

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Coe’s Country Store: A Study in Rural Collaboration

April 18, 2023 9:00 am

On a sparkling day at the tail end of winter Woodlands Development & Lending joined Nicole Coe and a host of her family and supporters to cut the ribbon on her new business: Coe’s Country Store, in French Creek, WV in Upshur County. Coe’s Country Store is a convenience store designed to meet the needs of a remote, rural area. The large, clean building, nestled 24 miles south of the county seat, Buckhannon, stocks all the expected snack and drink favorites but also features a rotating selection of locally made favorites like BBQ, hot dogs, biscuits & gravy, and even fresh[...]

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Social Media Dos and Don’ts for Your Small Business

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[...]

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How Critical is Luck When it Comes to Small Business Success? 

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[...]

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Self-Care For Entrepreneurs

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[...]

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10 Reasons to Start Your Business in 2022

December 7, 2021 8:00 am

When people talk about owning their own business, they discuss the concept of “being your own boss.” Overall owning your business is liberating! Entrepreneurs make their own decisions – ranging from where they work to how much money they make. If you are thinking about making your idea a reality, 2022 could be your year! Here are ten reasons why you shouldn’t wait to go for it in the new year:   It’s time for you to take control of when and where you work.  There’s no better time than the present to regain control of how much you work. Many[...]

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3 Steps to Startup’s November Venture Fair is a Can’t-Miss! 

November 2, 2021 2:23 pm

At 3 Steps to Startup, we are excited to present an opportunity to attend our free, virtual venture fair on Tuesday, November 16th, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. Our second venture fair of 2021 builds upon the work we did earlier in March 2021 at the 3 Steps to Startup Venture Fair. If you missed our March event, all recordings are accessible here.   What exactly is a venture fair?   A venture fair provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs, funders, economic developers, and other startup stakeholders to gather and share information. The goal of a venture fair is to match small[...]

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