Tag Archive: innovative problem solving
February 1, 2025 8:20 am
Before starting a business or expanding an existing one, you need to have a roadmap or business plan that outlines your business model and goals. A plan that can give you a detailed map of where you are, how far you’ve come and where you want to go will help guide you from idea, to startup, to expansion and beyond. In this blog post we want to help define a roadmap to business growth. We will go through the three steps that will take your business from idea to startup and/or expansion this year… Step 1: Ideation – Transforming[...]
February 1, 2025 8:00 am
Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it’s not without its challenges. And the hard reality of building your own company from the ground up is that 90% of startups fail. Even if you have a unique idea or product in your industry, there are many startup mistakes that can keep businesses from reaching their full potential. Some missteps are expected, but big mistakes, like burning through cash too quickly or not listening to your customers’ needs and feedback, can be the difference between whether your company fails or thrives! This blog will highlight common pitfalls that entrepreneurs face,[...]
September 1, 2024 1:00 am
In the fast-paced world of startups, securing funding is often a critical step towards growth and success. For companies like Stone Tower and Endolumik, access to additional funding meant the difference between launching and expanding. Fortunately, with the support of the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT) and the West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP), these two companies had the opportunity to acquire the financial resources they needed to thrive. In this blog post, we want to tell you a little bit about their journey and success. The Role of WVJIT and WVCAP in Supporting West Virginia Startups Both Stone[...]
July 1, 2024 6:00 am
The American Dream has long been a beacon of hope for those looking to carve out their own path and achieve success through hard work and determination.The Oxford English Dictionary defines the American dream as “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination and initiative.” In West Virginia, this dream is alive and well, with a growing community of entrepreneurs who are taking risks, pursuing their passions and building businesses from the ground up. As we celebrate July 4th and reflect on the values of[...]
April 1, 2024 9:00 am
Embarking on the journey to launch a startup can be exhilarating, but scary. It requires not only a groundbreaking idea, but also a strategic plan to breathe life into your vision. With numerous factors to consider, understanding how to navigate the business landscape effectively is crucial for budding entrepreneurs. In this blog post we want to give you a structured path to creating your startup dream and transforming it into a reality. Here’s a business startup checklist and everything you need to know… Conduct Thorough Market Research Before you launch your idea, you’ll want to deep dive into the market[...]
October 1, 2023 8:00 am
National Book Month is a celebration that reminds us of the transformative power of books and the invaluable role they play in our lives. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, reading is not just a pastime; it’s a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. In this blog post, we will delve into the three facets of reading that every startup owner should embrace during National Book Month and beyond: reading for learning, reading for leading, and reading for leisure. These dimensions of reading can empower you to navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship with confidence and wisdom. In this[...]
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[...]
April 1, 2023 9:00 am
As the old saying goes, “nothing worth having comes easy.” In the world of business, this couldn’t be more true. It’s often the hardest tasks that make the biggest impact on a company’s success. However, it can be easy to fall into the trap of working on the easy tasks and avoiding the harder, more impactful ones. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s important for businesses to tackle hard tasks, and we’ll offer some tips on staying on track and prioritizing the tasks that will have the greatest impact. In this blog, you’ll learn: Explanation of why easy[...]
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[...]
