Tag Archive: innovative problem solving

WVCAP: The Gateway for Stone Tower and Endolumik to Acquire Additional Funding

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[...]

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people waving a flag

Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Celebrating July 4th and the American Dream in West Virginia

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[...]

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People in a business meeting

A Step-By-Step Guide to Launching Your Startup

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[...]

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National Book Month: Unleashing the Power of Reading for Startup Owners

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[...]

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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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Why Businesses Should Tackle the Hard Tasks (That Make an Impact) Instead of the Easy Ones

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[...]

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What’s in a Headline? The Importance of Effective Communication

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[...]

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Made in America: Homegrown Businesses 

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[...]

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An Ode to Small Business Fatherly Advice

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[...]

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Let’s Celebrate West Virginia Small Business! 

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[...]

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