Create WV helps foster ideas, small businesses

Small business owners, would-be entrepreneurs, and community representatives gathered at the conference to share ideas and pitch for funding to back their projects. Rebecca Kimmons, media specialist for Create West Virginia, explained the mission of the weekend for the organization.

“The common goal is to encourage West Virginians to think entrepreneurially. Instead of thinking about who will come and give us a job to think about how I can create a job here in West Virginia.”

Emma Clarke from Shinnston in Harrison County, was at the conference pitching her community’s idea to make a promotional video to help attract businesses to her hometown. Clarke says the city has been rather successful with attracting new businesses in recent years.

“We have had a record of success since 2006 in attracting new businesses. We had 15 new businesses open since 2006 in our historic downtown, 12 of which are still in existence today. We are perceived to be a little bit off the beaten track—we are 8 miles off the interstate. So, we really want to get our story out there about why Shinnston is a great community for entrepreneurs considering staring a business and to consider coming and locating there.”

While Clarke and others were vying for funding, other entrepreneurs were on hand to help those just getting started.  Dave Arnold, owner of Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, in Fayette County, was on hand to provide some advice to entrepreneurs and potential start ups.

“I think all small businesses need mentors.  I think mentors are probably one of the most valuable things in starting a business, whether it’s a formal mentor or just somebody that you can talk to. This conference, at least in this context, just gives some people an opportunity to talk to entrepreneurs.”

Kimmons says the conference leaves those in attendance walking away with a positive, motivated feeling.

“I think this instills a feeling of can-do in people who have a glimmer of entrepreneurship in them. I think coming here and being shoulder to shoulder with people who are doing it and people who want to do it—very creative thinkers here—it’s just very exciting and inspiring. Each of the Create West Virginia Conferences have been like that.”