The Path to Growth with Bryan Shaw and FASTER WV

I ran into Bryan Shaw right after the Advantage Valley board meeting at Area 34. Bryan is the Director of Entrepreneurial Development for the FASTER WV program, which helps early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners turn ideas into real businesses. We talk about how his team provides coaching, access to funding, technical assistance grants, and connections to other resources that help people grow from idea to ribbon cutting.

Bryan explains that FASTER WV isn’t just for people with full-time businesses. A lot of the people they work with are just getting started, often with a side hustle while keeping their day job. He says there’s nothing wrong with making an extra $5,000 or $10,000 a year doing something you enjoy. And for those who want to take that next step, the program can help navigate the more complex parts of business ownership—things like hiring employees, managing finances, and planning for growth.

We talk about a new learning platform being built with the Marshall Skills Exchange. It’s an online system where clients can access short, practical training modules anytime. The first module is built around the Business Model Canvas, a tool that helps entrepreneurs get their ideas out of their heads and into a plan they can work from. More modules are in development, and the goal is to create a full library of 30 to 60-minute sessions that can eventually add up to a micro-credential. Bryan says these courses are free for FASTR clients and can even help build a stronger professional profile with badges for LinkedIn.

He also shares how FASTR is offering both in-person and virtual workshops, like a recent one focused on financial literacy for new entrepreneurs. The goal is to help people understand what it takes to get financing, grow responsibly, and make informed decisions. He makes it clear that starting and growing a business takes money, and while grants are rare, there are smart ways to approach funding when you have a solid plan. To get started, Bryan recommends going to advantagevalley.com and clicking on the FASTER WV tab. From there, anyone can connect with a coach, check out available workshops, and learn more about what resources are out there.