In honor of entrepreneurs during National Small Business Week May 4-8, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center will offer workshops for startup businesses at no cost.
The standard rate for the Business Fundamental workshop is $35. Led by WVSBDC business coaches, the workshops are designed for those who are thinking of starting, or have had a business for one year or less.
Workshop attendees should still register for workshops so WVSBDC business coaches can supply materials for all participants.
“More than 95 percent of West Virginia businesses are small businesses,” said Kristina Oliver, state director, West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC). “Our mission is to not only encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses, but to continue to help them succeed and grow.”
The WVSBDC has scheduled several workshops during National Small Business Week. The roster of workshops held across the state year round can be found on the agency’s website www.wvsbdc.org by clicking the training calendar.
May 5
– Harrisville, 6-9 p.m., 217 West Main Street. Contact: Marsa C. Myers, 304-926-4169
– Berkeley Springs, 9 a.m. to noon, The Pines Opportunity Center, 109 War Memorial Drive. Contact: Mary Hott, 304-380-3279
– Wheeling, 9 a.m. to noon, WVNCC B&O Building Room 418, 1704 Market Street. Contact: Donna Schramm, 304-214-8973
– Welch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 90 Howard St, Welch. Contact: Harold Patterson, 304-767-0532
– Grantsville, 6-9 p.m., Commons Area, Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, 5260 East Little Kanawha Highway. Contact: Marsa C. Myers, 304-926-4169
– Williamson, 9 a.m. to noon, 1100 East 4th Avenue. Contact: Dreama Wolfingbarger, 304-957-2083
– Winfield, 9 a.m. to noon, 5664 State Route 34. Contact:, Bryan Shaw, 304-528-5617
May 7
– Martinsburg, 9 a.m. to noon, 5550 Winchester Avenue. Contact: Mary Hott, 304-380-3279
– Bluefield, 1-4 p.m., 219 Rock Street, Mahood Hall, Paul Cole School of Business. Contact: Harold Patterson, 304-767-0532
– Moorefield, 6-8:30 p.m., Ste. 2, 151 Robert C Byrd Industrial Park Road. Contact: Beth Ludewig, 304-530-4964
– Buckhannon, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Upshur County Economic Development Authority, 30 East Main Street. Susie Higgins, 304-472-1757
– Beckley, 1-4 p.m., WorkForce West Virginia building, 299 New River Drive. Contact: Joe Carlucci, 304-767-8127
– Charleston, 9 a.m. to noon, 1116 Smith Street. Dreama Wolfingbarger, 304-957-2083
May 8
– Huntington, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) Building, 1050 Fourth Avenue, briefing room. Contact: Amber Wilson, 304-528-5616
The workshops are the second step in the WVSBDC Three Step Jump Start.
Step 1: Watch the online video on the WVSBDC website www.wvsbdc.org. The video explains available WVSBDC services available to new and established entrepreneurs.
Step 2: Attend a workshop led by a WVSBDC business coach. The training, designed for startup and new (1 year or less) companies, covers business fundamentals. Typically, workshops are offered at a minimum cost. This year, the cost is waived during Small Business Week.
Step 3: Make an appointment with a WVSBDC business coach. The coach works with the business owner as an advisor and guide. Coaches can help with business plan development, financial statement preparation, cash flow analysis and other services. There is no cost for WVSBDC’s confidential one-on-one coaching services.
The WVSBDC is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance. The West Virginia SBDC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The WVSBDC is an Accredited Member of America’s SBDC network.
