Local Entrepreneurs Create Business Plans

Small business is alive and well in McDowell County – just witness the lively discussions of mission statements, licenses and legal structures, break-even point and product pricing during the 8-week Business Builders class sponsored by Travel Beautiful Appalachia (TBAI). Using a curriculum designed specifically for small business, students worked on their own and in teams to examine case studies of small businesses and develop written plans for their own business.

Some participants already operate a business. According to Marsha Best who, along with her father and two sisters, owns 3 businesses in the Wind Mill Gap area, “One of the reasons we took this course was to help us focus our efforts – to really analyze how each business is doing and what we can do with each piece to make it as successful as it can be.” Another participant, Donna Paynter, recently passed the test for a West Virginia Contractors License and will be working with her husband to develop their family business Cherokee Valley Drywall.

Students celebrated the end of the course with refreshments and a presentation by each of their business proposal and plans to start or improve their business. Following the eight week course, students will participate in one-on-one business counseling and group mentoring activities. In addition, students may also be eligible for small business loans.

Travel Beautiful Appalachia, Inc. (TBAI) is a non-profit organization promoting economic development opportunities to the people of McDowell , Wyoming , and Mercer Counties . The next Business Builder class will be held in Spring 2007 in the War area. Anyone interested in information or registration should call (304) 862-4800 or (304) 862-3364.