A one-day conference for small business owners scheduled for Friday, Apr. 18 will offer valuable assistance in business growth. The “Go Pro in Business” conference will be held at American Public University’s Finance Center, 393 N. Lawrence St., Charles Town, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The event, offered by the Jefferson County Development Authority and Sonic Promotions, brings to the podium several motivational speakers who will give insight into business success and how to get there.

Melanie Miller, owner of Sonic Promotions in Ranson, said that she felt the idea was a good one and approached the Development Authority about the conference.

“I want to see the businesses in my community succeed,” Miller said. “This conference with these speakers will help.”

John Reisenweber, executive director of JCDA, agreed that the information that will be shared from the podium will benefit all attendees.

“I am looking forward to a nice event and the many words of wisdom to be shared,” Reisenweber said.

Those words of wisdom will come from a variety of sources including Joshua Householder, vice president and commercial loan officer, Bank of Charles Town; Marten R. Jenkins, Jr., president, Natural Capital Investment Fund; Bob Marggraf, business coach, West Virginia Small Business Development Center and Tom Halverstadt, business coach, West Virginia Small Business Development Center.

Also on the agenda for the day is Miller, who will showcase marketing and promotional strategies for entrepreneurs. She explained that the focus on marketing is key to business success. She will share tips on how to develop a sufficient marketing plan, focusing on key selling points in a business.

Also on the schedule are Ken Harvey and Mark Moseley, former Wasshington Redksins football stars who are now successful businessmen and motivational speakers.

Harvey serves as Business Development Manager for ETS Credit and Debit Card Processing while Moseley is Director of Franchise Sales for Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Moseley recently shared a bit of his philosophy on business and community, with his starting point as an NFL player. He commented on his time with the Redskins as “rare” in that a kicker does not usually gain the fame that he achieved.

“I was fortunate to be playing at that time,” he said. “Most kickers, you’re just a player and nobody knows you. I was very fortunate.”

Moseley’s abilities and good fortune won him the coveted Most Valuable Player award in 1983, the only kicker to ever be so honored.

His abilities carried over into the business world when, upon retirement from football, he started Mark Moseley Travel, a highly successful business he ran for 16 years. After the sale of that business in 1998, Moseley said he “bummed around a little” and decided he wanted to open a hamburger restaurant. Moseley Burgers opened, in a partnership with another individual, and was highly successful until the sale of the business when Moseley was approached by Matt Morrell with the Five Guys organization.

In 2002, Moseley went to work with the Morrell family to develop the Five Guys franchises and the rest is history. In addition to working as part of the corporate entity selling franchises, Moseley also owns his own, including the local Five Guys in Winchester and Ranson.

Reisenweber said he was extremely pleased that Moseley is part of the Go Pro event, not only because of his overall success, but because of his local success with the Ranson business. Moseley said that the restaurant here is his most profitable.

Moseley says of the Five Guys organization, “it is place that gives opportunities to young people who start with us. Employees are the key to any successful business.”

Moseley’s success, both on and off the football field, have opened up many opportunities, many of which he will share at the Go Pro conference. Registration for the event is currently underway. A minimal cost of $10 will cover the conference as well as lunch. One may register online at www.jcda.net or by calling 304-728-3255.