In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to David Sibray, founder of West Virginia Explorer magazine. For decades, this publication has helped people learn about West Virginia’s natural and cultural landscape.

“When I became a journalist in the 80’s, I had immediately fallen into doing stories on the mystique of the outdoors. What ended up happening is I heard this thing coming along called the internet, and I realized this could give me the ability to reach more people than print had up until that time.”

Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.

Links to more information:

www.wvexplorer.com

www.wvsbdc.com

www.wvbusinesslink.com

WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship

Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Matt Browning, Co-owner at Plot Twist Books in South Charleston, WV. He and his team have turned their passion for books into a venue unlike anything else you can experience in the state.

“I have been a fan of independent bookstores for as long as I can remember. You gotta be a little innovative when opening any business, but especially a book and mortar book shop. Tony Award winner Dinah Manoff joined us for a virtual event, my business partner does a segment called Plot Twist kitchen where we do recipes based on books we sell, and the AirBnB is one we’re super excited about. It is a bookshop holiday where you can stay and “work” at the shop. If you’ve ever wanted to own your own book shop, it’s kind of the thing to do. ”

Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.

Links to more information:

www.plottwistbooks.com

www.wvsbdc.com

www.wvbusinesslink.com

WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship

Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Jason Nerenberg, Sales Director and Account Executive at Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider. He and his team are dedicated to sharing our Appalachian culture through the Cider they make in Lewisburg, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

“We’re still doing things the old-fashioned Appalachian way here at Hawk Knob, and it’s part of our goal to share some of that lifestyle with folks who come to visit us here. We’re using all West Virginia grown apples, and we’re really just trying to shine a spotlight on the products and, as best we can, stay out of the way.”

Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State.

Links to more information:

www.hawkknob.com

www.wvsbdc.com

www.wvbusinesslink.com

WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship

Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Brenda Casabona, Owner of Defluri’s Fine Chocolate in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She tells us why she decided to call West Virginia home and what makes her fine chocolates unique. “We visited Martinsburg a number of times and it was a great community. It has a small town feel while also having a big city feel, and that’s why we chose to move. I’ve found all of the governmental departments we have dealt with in West Virginia to be very, very helpful and very proactive for businesses and consumers. Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.defluris.com www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com www.WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Holly Fussell, owner of Waterstone Outdoors. The Waterstone team dedicates itself to providing quality outdoor and climbing gear to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. “We want to be your first stop on any New River Gorge adventure, and we want to be that place where you wrap up and reflect on your day. Waterstone has always been a place to get inspiration, quality gear, great advice, and a sense of connection.” Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: waterstoneoutdoors.com www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Adam Payne, Editor in Chief of “YNST Magazine.” This media outlet aims to broadcast print & digital content that connects creatives in and from Appalachia to the rest of the world. “I was doing a bunch of things simultaneously at West Virginia University, and I was seeing first-hand the incredible musicians, theater makers, designers, and dancers that were at the University, and I was astounded by the level of talent that was alive in West Virginia. Simultaneously, I was working at the WVU Launchlab for five years and was seeing first-hand all the incredible small businesses and startups that were coming out of West Virginia. At the same time I was like How are people not seeing this! So, we decided to start a new publication.” Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.Instagram.com/YNSTMagazine www.VantageVentures.io www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Tara St. Clair and Amber Ravenscroft with Bridging Innovation week. This four-day event provides an array of opportunities for business owners at every level of their professional development. There are also financial incentives for those hoping to get their ideas off the ground! “There are so many good people in the state of West Virginia. Collaborate! We are not all subject matter experts in everything. The beautiful thing about West Virginia is we have a half-degree of separation, so if I can’t get you where you need to go, I’m going to call up someone else in the ecosystem, and more than likely, they are going to drop what they are doing to help you.” St. Clair said. Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.WVBusinessLink.com/bridging-innovation-week-april-17-21-2023 www.WVCran.com www.VantageVentures.io www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Ryan Thorn, the USDA’s state director for West Virginia. Thorn and his department are creating prosperity through rural development and providing critical leadership to develop and support a productive, diverse, and inclusive state workforce. “At Rural Development, I always say we are advocates for, investors in, and partners to rural communities in the people, businesses, and organizations within those communities. In the last fiscal year alone, rural development and our lending partners – we invested more than $390 million in West Virginia through grants, loans, and loan guarantees.” Thorn said. Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.RD.USDA.Gov/WV www.wvsbdc.com www.wvbusinesslink.com

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Mary Smith, co-owner of Tipsy Roo’s. Her company is taking a “spirited” approach to making barbecue sauces. Contrary to the company’s name, this sauce will not get you intoxicated and is a welcome addition to your next family cookout. “I feel like West Virginians are family-oriented, and so are we. That’s really the backbone of our business – that’s our why. I want to get away from corporate America. My husband works full time, and I want him to be able to retire so we can be with our family all the time and do what we want to do.” Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.tipsyroos.com www.wvsbdc.com Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center today!

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Mark Burdette, the program coordinator for West Virginia BusinessLink. It’s a one-stop online platform that helps entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage of their development. “West Virginia BusinessLink is a website that entrepreneurs and small business owners can use to connect to the resources they need when they need them. The trend in West Virginia is this is a great place to start and grow your business.” Innovators and Entrepreneurs is a bi-weekly segment of the daily304 that features discussions and wisdom from West Virginians who have built their companies and launched new ideas here in the Mountain State. Links to more information: www.WVBusinessLink.com www.WVSBDC.com www.AscendWV.com