Jenningston, W.Va. (WVDN) – Marsha Waybright has earned a mini-MBA through a 12-week crash course offered by the very first West Virginia cohort by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses education program. She is one of 26 business owners who recently completed the program, designed to strengthen her business skills. Waybright manages three businesses in Jenningston, WV: Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast, West Virginia School of Traditional Skills and Mama Bear Protection.
As a small business owner, Waybright applied for and was accepted into this business education program. She said over 100 businesses applied and only 26 were accepted. “The application process was pretty lengthy. I felt pretty accomplished when I was told I was going to be a participant.” Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is part of a $100 million investment in rural communities. This initiative spans nearly 15 years with the goal of helping small businesses grow and creating jobs by providing greater access to education, capital and support. Over 16, 500 business owners have graduated from the program across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Waybright’s friend, Jill Scarbro, told her about this program and that she was going to apply for it. Scarbro encouraged Waybright to do the same. Scarbro is the owner and director of Bright Future Learning Services and met Waybright in 2023 when both were chosen by Meta to go to Washington DC and speak on behalf of West Virginia small businesses about their marketing needs. When Scarbro told her about the program, “I thought I’d give it a shot!” said Waybright.
Over 111,000 small business owners like Waybright account for 98.8% of the state’s businesses and employ nearly half of the state’s workforce. She and husband Kendall own the Laurel Fork Farm, which provides a unique way for people to experience a true working farm and is home to the three businesses. Waybright became caretaker of the house that is now the Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast and opened the business in 2020. Visitors can book a stay in the B&B and participate in multiple activities through the West Virginia School of Traditional Skills, which offers classes based on skills not commonly taught anymore.
Though she is constantly coming up with new ideas and programs to market her business, Waybright said she participated in this program because “I like to continue to learn, and meeting other small business people is always a win. This program did not disappoint. I met so many incredible people!” BridgeValley Community & Technical College ran the program’s 12-week curriculum with modules on themes including marketing, accounting and operations.
It is the hard work and dedication of small business owners across West Virginia that makes them and entrepreneurs like Waybright important factors in the state’s economy. “This opportunity has given me the chance to stop and dream about what is next and then strategize how to make it happen. 2025 is going to be great!” Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast was recently featured in the winter addition of West Virginia Living magazine. To mark five years in business with her B&B, be sure to check out her podcast and catch her live on the YouTube channel The Waybright Family, Experience West Virginia With Us every first Monday of the month at 5:30pm throughout 2025. Photo: Amy Kinder, Amy Cakes Catering, Marsha Waybright, Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast, Patrick Noland, Briarwood Dental Center, and Jae Lehew, S&S Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. All photos provided by Marsha Waybright.
For more information about the Laurel River Club B&B and surrounding farm, upcoming classes through the West Virginia School of Traditional Skills and Mama Bear Protection, or to book a stay, please visit www.lrcbnb.com or call (304) 402-7095. Find more info on Facebook, Instagram, TikToc and YouTube.
