In a sense, this is an occasion similar to those that other businesses use to mark their years of serving customers as they plan for the future. This observance gives those of us at The State Journal a chance to reflect on our history and our mission.

First, the startup of The State Journal in 1984 provided a lesson in the spirit and power of entrepreneurship. The founders of this newspaper -- brothers Robert C. and Henry E. Payne III and attorney Fred Holroyd, all Charlestonians -- believed their home state needed a publication that would report on business across West Virginia. They believed business owners and managers here faced unnecessary barriers that discouraged investment and growth. They wanted to report on those barriers and, at the same time, tell stories about West Virginians who had worked hard and found ways to succeed.

The founders were not satisfied with the status quo. They believed a business-oriented newspaper, similar to those that serve other regions and cities across the country, could succeed in West Virginia. Simply put, they believed West Virginia could become more than it is, and they started a newspaper to share their aspirations.

The Payne brothers -- two of the finest and kindest people I have had the privilege to know -- formed the foundation.

Henry Payne, who owned Payne Engineering in Scott Depot, was an engineer who would provide thoughtful commentary on these pages and managerial guidance for the enterprise. He was a provocative thinker, willing to challenge conventional and politically popular thinking. He died in 2008 at age 73.

Bob Payne, who now lives in South Carolina, served as the newspaper's publisher from its founding in 1984 until 1997. The owner of Business Computer Service, he was inspired to launch a business newspaper to serve a readership that wanted a different perspective. I know he had his doubters. He knew he had his doubters. But he persisted nonetheless. We worked together for many years, and I continue to admire his creativity and ingenuity.

Covering stories about West Virginians and their businesses has been the easy part. It has been a joy to learn how men and women have harnessed their good ideas and built businesses that employ our neighbors and strengthen communities across the state.

But first things first: The State Journal itself is a business. It had to find its way. It had to produce and distribute a publication of value and find revenue through advertising and subscriptions to pay for it.

The founders' vision required someone who could take their idea and consistently and persistently sell it. They found such a person in Lorenelle White.

An experienced advertising sales representative, Lorenelle arrived in early 1990 and immediately increased sales. She was an eternal optimist who believed wholeheartedly in the mission of the newspaper's founders.

Lorenelle purchased the newspaper in 1997 from the original owners and built the newspaper each year she owned it. She developed a loyal and talented team that moved The State Journal from a monthly to a weekly publication.

In 2001, she accepted a purchase offer from West Virginia Media, which was just starting to form a media company that later would acquire network television stations in four separate West Virginia markets.

Lorenelle was a mentor for many and a friend to many more. She built The State Journal, creating a bridge to new ownership that she believed would strengthen the newspaper. And it did. It soon would add staff, redesign the newspaper and improve content.

Lorenelle moved from The State Journal in 2002 to assist West Virginia Media in sales management for television. But Lorenelle would become ill and never recover. In 2004, she left us much too soon. She was 48 years old.

As I reflect on the newspaper's 25 years, I recognize this enterprise is the result of the work of those who believed West Virginia would benefit from a newspaper that sees great opportunity in West Virginia. This newspaper certainly has benefited from the many employees who have helped serve our readers.

During these years, we also have learned that we are similar to many enterprises in West Virginia that appreciate having the opportunity to serve their customers in a state we cherish. That's what we try to do each week through our news accounts, commentaries and advertising.

We understand that we owe our best work to our readers and advertisers because that is what we have learned from those who preceded us. They wouldn't have it any other way.

Dan Page is editor and publisher of The State Journal. He started with the newspaper in 1984 and returned in 2002. His e-mail address is dpage@statejournal.com.