MyBluefield Entrepreneur's Bootcamp
A Regional Initiative
x
When the City of Bluefield created the Economic Development Department in 2015, part of the immediate focus was to cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation – we began offering classes in 2016.
​
Since then, we've had 1000+ registrations to our 70+ workshops. One of BEDA's biggest goals was to create a regional "Entrepreneur's Bootcamp" program for area business owners. COVID-19 caused in-person events to come to a screeching halt, BEDA quickly adapted to provide support in a virtual format in order to not lose momentum. In June 2020, BEDA announced a partnership with Santa Clara University's My Own Business Institute (MOBI) to create the MyBluefield Entrepreneur's Bootcamp. This free, online, self-paced, and fast-tracked bootcamp is broken down into two modules: "Starting a Business" with 21 classes and "Business Expansion" with 16 classes. Users can comfortably complete a class in 30-45 minutes. You can take the required courses and graduate with a certificate or just complete the class(es) you need.
​
As of July 2024, BEDA has welcomed 300+ enrollees to this regional initiative. The majority of our enrollees are from Southern West Virginia; however, we have enrollees from 9 other states. Thus far we have 50+ graduates which represent Bluefield, WV (7); Princeton, WV (5); Mercer County, WV (1); Monroe County, WV (2); Lewisburg, WV (1); Tazewell County, VA (3), and Silver Spring, MD (1).
​
According to the Small Business Administration, “about twenty percent of business startups fail in the first year. About half succumb to business failure within five years. By year 10, only about 33% survive.” We strongly believe that business education can help reduce that rate. Thus the reason we created this regional initiative. Be sure to check out our Office Hours Program which are free workshops we use to supplement these online courses. If we can do anything to help you and your business, please let us know.
The Bootcamp was selected to receive a Bronze Award of Economic Development Excellence from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) on Tuesday, September 19th at the IEDC's 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas. BEDA Executive Director received the award with Bootcamp partner, My Own Business Institute's (MOBI) Director of Partnerships Trish Kalbas-Schmidt pictured. We are proud of this award-winning program that has helped so many aspiring and current business owners locally, regionally, and beyond.
"One of the modules in the class for business expansion through MOBI is adapting in the midst of change. We're facing new challenges. I think that our businesses are hopefully rebounding as best as they can. Some are looking to diversify. I think they need to look at the new way."