Entrepreneur.
Investor.
Advocate.
Ecosystem Builder.

Tech leaders urge the West Virginia Legislature to prioritize workforce development and tech industry growth.

M Studios Marketing Strategy Consulting is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Mastermind Media Works. The expansion not only enhances M Studios’ capabilities but also reaffirms its commitment to supporting client growth objectives by providing tailored marketing solutions.

West Virginia, known for its rugged landscapes and resilient communities, is on the brink of transformation. This moment of opportunity is fueled by the leadership and investment of visionaries like Brad Smith, whose dedication to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs in his home state has inspired a new wave of optimism.

TechConnect WV appointed Ariana Shives as executive director; she's dedicated to advancing technology careers, entrepreneurship, and digital equity across West Virginia.

In this episode of Innovators and Entrepreneurs, we talk to Ariana Shives with the West Virginia Digital Identity Tech Hub about how her organization is leading the charge with protecting your personal information.

In my two roles advocating entrepreneurship in West Virginia, I often hear people say that one of the obstacles to new business growth is that West Virginia has no established culture of entrepreneurship, as its economy has historically been fueled by natural resources with large companies in the forefront. But that impression is incorrect and needs to be removed, if West Virginia is to become one of the leading champions of new business growth in the 21st century.

Join us as we discuss Artificial Intelligence's role in Huntington-area businesses. Our guest, Ariana Shives, unveils practical strategies, real-world uses and tips for seamless integration. From boosting productivity to personalized customer experiences, discover how AI can help your business. Don't miss this insightful dive into the future of AI for local businesses!

Nearly all job growth in America comes from new and young businesses. That’s why entrepreneurship is so vital to West Virginia and why I’ve become associated with two entities that can be pivotal to catapulting West Virginia to national leadership in new business growth. The entities are Marshall University, already a national leader in commitment to design thinking, and Right to Start, the national nonprofit organization championing entrepreneurship as a civic priority.

Marshall’s iCenter in the Lewis College of Business has welcomed a new entrepreneur in residence. Ariana Shives is a UX and UI (user experience and user interface) designer. As entrepreneur in residence, Shives mentors students from the Brad D. Smith Student Incubator and supports the iCenter with innovation across the university. She also advises on curriculum for Career Technical Education (CTE) students pursing an entrepreneurship pathway in West Virginia.