Amanda Short is a long time artist.   Currently in her late-twenties,  she has a history of artistic awards and exhibits.   Short began working at Martina’s Stained Glass Studio in 2004,  armed with a Fine Arts degree with honors.   She had found her artistic niche,  and quickly absorbed the skill of glass working from the owner’s training.   When the owner decided to retire and sell her business,  Short was left at a crossroads.   Should she buy the business,   or strike out on her own?   In the face of these choices,  and the decisions and paper work involved,   there was one conclusion Short was clear on.   She needed business help.  

Short joined the Entrepreneurial League System (ELS) in Advantage Valley.   Assessed as a rookie,  she was placed under the coaching of Kristina Oliver.   Short had the technical skills and drive necessary to succeed,  and was eager to learn business skills from the ELS.   She took her lessons from Oliver in stride,  and quickly absorbed all available support.   Short also promptly learned the value of her success team and pipeline of service providers,  taking the advantage of their expertise.   Oliver helped her arrange two games plans for buying or creating a new business,  which gave Short the insight she needed to understand all her options.  

Prepared with a bank, a CPA,  and an attorney,  Short was ready to evaluate the business offer price.   She then negotiated for Martina’s Stained Glass Studio a price that matched the worth of the business and her resources.   From receiving an initial figure in mid December,  Short opened the doors of Amanda’s Glass Art on March 1^st.   That same day Short met the governor of West Virginia,  who’s mansion she had previously done glass work for,  at West Virginia’s Entrepreneurial Week reception.   Impressed by this now business savvy individual,  the governor praised her in his appreciation of the growing entrepreneurial business base in the state.

Short transformed from a talented,  but business unsure,  artist,  to the skilled owner of an artistic company.   Through the ELS,  she was able to learn the skills necessary to turn her artistic talents into a successful enterprise.   Short’s skills will develop with her business,  and she will continue to grow as a beneficial member of her team and the entrepreneurial basin of her area.