Small Businesses, Big Impact

West Virginia is known as the rural state, with about 148 of its towns considered rural — support for one another is what keeps it alive. Deep down in the valleys there are entrepreneurs calling upon their community to help them build by shopping with small businesses. Many of our fellow friends and neighbors took the chance and risked it all to have a business they call their own. There is something for everyone in our small towns, inviting people of all backgrounds to come and embrace their hard work.

On the third Thursday of each month, downtown Charleston's streets are lit with art, music, and shopping to dress the town with culture. This event, Artwalk, brings together people from all walks of life to showcase their specialties. Quarrier, Capitol, Lee, Hale, and Summers streets all participate in this family friendly event.

Artwalk is a variety show of arts and gives attendees an opportunity to shop locally, transforming the community.

"Art Emporium has been a mainstay in downtown. We have kept consistent hours and have offered an opportunity for many artists to have their first-ever venue to showcase their art. The community needs to remember their small shops." — Traci Higginbotham, owner, Art Emporium

Higginbotham emphasizes the importance of being integrated with the community, showing one another support — especially with the rise of social media and decline of print media communications. Art Emporium has been locally owned since 1992, showing that support for your local businesses can provide longevity for our fellow owners.

In the state of West Virginia there are over 111,000 small businesses, creating a backbone to the towns that we call home. For over eight years, Cameron Penn, barber and owner of Sharp Touch Barbershop in Nitro, has been an integral member of not only his own, but many other surrounding communities.

"It is beneficial for both parties, when the relationship can be more personal versus a corporation that you may not ever interact with." — Cameron Penn, owner, Sharp Touch Barbershop

As a barber favored by many, he is able to provide a service for people of all ages and be known as a respected professional in the area. This specific industry is very reliant on local support, and Penn reciprocates that same sentiment when he is granted the opportunity. Recently he provided his services free of charge to kids in the area at a back-to-school event. While success is relative to support, it is also important to relay that same energy toward the surroundings.

"Support any local small business you can, because you are all we have. We need your support just as much as you need our services!" — Cameron Penn

When opening your own business, you can only hope for success every day — whether that means being fully booked or even sold out. This kind of success fell upon Rylee Vealy, 21, owner and lead baker of Batter and Bless Baking Co., when she opened her bakery in April of 2024.

At a young age she had a passion for all things baking, and quickly found herself seeking to better her skills and equipment. The overwhelming support from the community — which led to being sold out within the hour of opening — did become a challenge of supply and demand.

"I am thankful for the customers I have, who understand and appreciate the hard work that goes into everything." — Rylee Vealy, owner, Batter and Bless Baking Co.

Learning to manage the business and its popularity at a young age is one of her specialties, but she continues to speak highly of the supporters that stand behind her online and off. Her message to other business owners and community members is simple: "Support local, shop small, and support those close to you."

Starting something for yourself and others in business — of any kind — is a dream you want to carry on for years to come. At Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics, this business and legacy has been passed down from mother to daughters, letting their studios expand into the Charleston and Saint Albans communities for over 15 years.

"Shopping locally benefits the working class in the community. Shopping locally helps keep the resources within the community, and in return doesn't just help out a national corporation, but a local family owned business." — Morgan McNabb, co-owner & instructor, Spotlight Dance and Acrobatics

Within the culture of small businesses themselves, it is important to support one another when possible.

"When I can bring my business to a local business, I will, because as a small business owner myself, the consistent support from my community is appreciated." — Morgan McNabb

This sentiment is repeated across the board, even among business owners themselves. Supporting one another strengthens the community as a whole and sets them apart from large corporations. From sharing social posts and purchasing goods and services, to simply being a friend and a supporter — our locals who took the leap of faith and made their own way want to be integrated in their communities and supported.

When you can, shop small and shop local.