Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Exploring the Mountain State with David Sibray

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 [http://www.wvexplorer.com] www.wvsbdc.com [http://www.wvsbdc.com] www.wvbusinesslink.com [http://www.wvbusinesslink.com] WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship [https://WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship]   Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center [https://wvsbdc.com/] today!

Getting the Full Story at Plot Twist Books

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 [https://www.plottwistbooks.com] www.wvsbdc.com [http://www.wvsbdc.com] www.wvbusinesslink.com [http://www.wvbusinesslink.com] WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship [https://WestVirginia.gov/Entrepreneurship]   Interested in starting or expanding your business? Connect with free resources with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center [https://wvsbdc.com/] today!

Staying True to Appalachian Tradition with Jason Nerenberg

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 [http://www.hawkknob.com] www.wvsbdc.com [http://www.wvsbdc.com] www.wvbusinesslink.com [http://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 [https://wvsbdc.com/] today!

Talking Tasty Chocolate in Almost Heaven with Brenda Casabona

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!

Climbing to the Top with Holly Fussell

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!