January 6, 2023 6:30 am
Complement Your Customers & Employees As we move into the new year, it’s a great time to look at how you can start 2023 with positivity in your business. The start of the year is an opportune time to reflect on what you achieved in the previous 12 months and set yourself up for success in the coming year. Whether you’re starting a new business or looking to grow your current startup, there are a few key emotions and strategies you can take to ensure that 2023 starts off with a bang. This blog post will cover how you can[...]
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[...]
November 15, 2022 7:30 am
West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP) Expands Small Business Funding Opportunities Small businesses and startups are the backbone of the American economy. They are responsible for nearly two-thirds of all new jobs in the US each year, and they have a huge impact on local communities. But despite their importance, small businesses and startups often have a hard time accessing the funding they need to grow and thrive. The West Virginia Capital Access Program (WVCAP) is changing that reality as it gives credit-worthy small businesses and startups access to nontraditional funding opportunities. What Is The West Virginia Capital Access[...]
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[...]
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 3, 2022 8:01 am
Whoever the special mom is that you’re shopping for, you know you’ve got to get it right this Mother’s Day. One of the goals we have at 3 Steps to StartUp is to help small businesses survive and thrive in our state. We know that living in West Virginia gives us access to high-quality and unique options for spending our hard-earned money, and that includes gift-giving. What better way to say “Happy Mother’s Day” this year? Here are six ideas for your Mother’s Day small business shopping. Flowers The classic Mother’s Day gift, flowers are always an appreciated treat. Finding[...]
