CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hundreds of business-oriented individuals gathered at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Tuesday for the 6th annual West Virginia Minority Business Expo.
The event, hosted by the state Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA), had around 100 exhibitors helping people wanting to start a small business and network.
“We want women-owned businesses, we want minority-owned businesses,” Jill Upson, the executive director of HHOMA told MetroNews. “Veterans, disabled people, people in recovery we want to see all of them be able to come in and learn how they can get their idea off the ground and make themselves a living.”
Upson said she estimated around 300 people walked through the doors of the expo. She said the event welcomes all and she has met people that have gone all six years to a single mother looking to start a business for the first time this year.
WV Secretary of State’s office had a booth set up to learn about the WV One Stop Business Center. According to Upson, a person could have all the paperwork finished and be on their way to start a small business in the state in under an hour at the center.
Guest speakers took to the stage beginning at Noon and consisted of marketing officials that taught social media skills and Michelle Christian from the United States Small Business Administration. Christian talked about securing a federal government contract and what is required for you to be able to do that.