Your Guiding Light

WV BusinessLink is a one-stop, online resource available to the state’s entrepreneurs and business owners, helping to clear obstacles and create opportunities by matching them with the right resources at the right times.

The WV SBDC supports the Monticello Ongoing Revitalization Effort (M.O.R.E.) through technical support to assist with furthering their strategic plan and focused training in the fundamentals of starting a business.

When Tectrix was planning a move into the State of West Virginia, they turned to the area SBDC business coach for business plan guidance and referrals to resources like SpringTech, a local incubator space that was founded by Blue Ridge Community & Technical College in collaboration with the Morgan County, WV Economic Development Authority. Tectrix provides high quality engineering design services to the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, and other federal agencies, and specializes in radio frequency communications, signal processing, and systems integration. In a next phase of support, Tectrix is working with the SBDC’s Innovation-Technology program for SBIR/STTR proposal assistance.

With the SBDC's help, Dynamic Dyslexia and Speech opened its doors in November 2019. Like most businesses, they had to close in March 2020 but a donation of face shields allowed owner Jaimee Szymanski to effectively deliver speech therapy sessions while masked and to reach a wider audience by giving free online presentations. She joined the WV SBDC's “Come In, We're Open” social media campaign because “I’m proud to own a small business in West Virginia and was anxious to let everyone know that we are open.” “Small businesses are important because they are personal. I am trying to make my community better: better for the people that currently live here and better for the next generation.”

Istovisio created their syGlass software product utilizing Virtual Reality technology to give research scientists the ability to visualize and better understand complex data sets while communicating their findings with greater accuracy in less time. syGlass is now used in research labs in over 14 countries. The company was awarded a direct-to-phase-II SBIR grant from NIH, reinforced by matching funds from West Virginia’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Investment Fund. “Matching funds are extremely important to SBIR grantees — the SBIR grant only covers research and development so there’s nothing to help with marketing, sales, or partnerships. These matching funds were crucial to get the sales pipeline moving,” says CEO Michael Morehead.

A campaign to encourage all West Virginians to support small businesses and for small business owners to spread the word that they're still open and need the support of their community after the challenges of the pandemic. #WeAreOpenWV

Staff Sergeant Eric Grandon, US Army Retired, turned to agriculture as a way to manage PTSD. He formed Sugar Bottom Farm in 2014 and, with the help of the SBDC and the FASTER WV (Fostering Advantages for Startups and Entrepreneurial Resurgence in WV) program, he's been able to increase his business skills, pivot in several ways, and access financing to build and equip a new Honey processing, packaging and storage facility. Eric's plans include expanding his successful business operation while inviting other trauma survivors to his farm so they can experience the healing powers of beekeeping.

For Stephanie Swaim, opening her own shop featuring her handmade art alongside the works of 180+ other artisans was a dream come true. She was not going to let the pandemic shutdown turn it into a nightmare. With the help of the WV SBDC, she is making the most of her store's new e-commerce platform. The shop was featured in Southern Living Magazine as one the South's Best Boutiques, won WV Living's Regional award for Best Gift Shop, and Morgantown Magazine's award for Best Gift Shop.

The collaboration of the WV SBDC and the Future of Nursing WV program provided Vicki Spurlock with the guidance she needed to launch her own business after a 15 year career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Nurse Entrepreneurship Program helped her navigate the cost structure, revenue model, and legal regulations unique to her industry and enabled her to network with other nurses who operate businesses. The program also connected her with the SBDC, whose guidance not only helped her work through the details, small and large, needed to start her business, but has also been instrumental in gaining access to the resources she needed to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic and to grow her business in just two years.