Mind Your Business - A Podcast Series produced by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

There are numerous businesses here in the High Country that we all drive by every day and wonder, "what do they do in there?" This week we continue our 12-part series: Built in the High Country. This monthly feature will take us physically inside some of the most unique and successful businesses in Watauga County, as we examine what got them started and why they chose the High Country as the home for their business. This week on Mind Your Business, we visit Jackson Sumner & Associates. Established in Boone in 1981, JSA has grown to become one of the top Excess & Specialty Lines Brokers in the eastern United States. CEO Danielle Wade explains the company's origin story, and how Boone's location plays in to their workforce recruitment and retention strategy. We'll also hear about JSA's place as an industry leader, and how they've earned that recognition while being located in rural North Carolina. We'll also bring you the latest on Blue Ridge Parkway construction tied to the Great American Outdoors Act, including updates on detours planned for Watauga County in the near future. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Turning the napkin sketch into a viable business is one of the most exhilarating and equally terrifying tasks in the entrepreneurial journey. Here in the High Country, we are fortunate to have several partner organizations and programs that can help a small business move from theory to reality. This week on Mind Your Business, we show how these partners work to provide insight and expertise for budding business owners -- through the lens of the food truck community. Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals is an upcoming workshop for those seeking to grow or sustain a food truck business. This two-day experience will be held March 25-26 and is organized through the Small Business Center at Caldwell Community College at Technical Institute, in conjunction with AppHealthCare, Empowering Mountain Food Systems, and the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. While this conversation may highlight the process of staring a food truck, much of our discussion with facilitator, Dani Black, owner of Bigger Tables Culinary & Service Consulting, centers on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, with some helpful tips for those considering the creation of a business in any industry. You'll also hear details about our entrepreneurship local support network, and how partners like the Small Business Center, App State's Center for Entrepreneurship, Mountain BizWorks, the SBTDC, and your local Chamber of Commerce can support the process of turning dreams into business realities! Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

The Olympics may be complete, but this episode of Mind Your Business is all about how we pass the torch. In communities across the High Country, we see the emergence of a new crop of leaders that are ready to make their mark. Events like the 10th annual 4 Under 40 Awards help spotlight those who are ready to do more, whether it's within their own business or industry, or by impacting the community through the giving of their time and expertise. On this week's show, we visit with two of our past 4 Under 40 Award honorees. Joseph Miller was recognized in 2019 for his work as a owner of Cobo Sushi Bistro & Bar and Black Cat Burrito, and now nearly seven years later, this restauranter is one of the lead influencers of the Downtown Boone business community. We'll hear how this local product used examples from his business-minded parents, combined with his own unique experiences off the mountain, to create two signature brands within the Boone restaurant scene -- and what it takes to make these businesses work. Chelsea Helms is a Project Manager for STITCH Design Shop, and was our Rising Star honoree in 2025. She's used her Boonerang experience to establish community roots and fuel growth opportunities within her industry. Today, Chelsea and the team at STITCH are involved in some lasting, community focused projects, and the skills she learned in Boone are helping her shape the next version of this special place. We will also unveil the 2026 class of 4 Under 40 Award Finalists. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

North Carolina has been named by CNBC as the #1 State for Business in the country in three of the last four years. The State's success is not just about its running list of economic development wins, but how those projects are boosted by our business climate, workforce pipelines, and quality of life. It takes all economic strengths and assets along with regional partnership to deliver the world-class experience that impacts business recruitment and retention. So how does North Carolina stay on top of the charts? What are the key issues that will drive the State's success in 2026? How do the State budget and the upcoming elections impact economic opportunity? This week on Mind Your Business, we pose these questions and more to Ben Kinney, Publisher of Business NC. For 45 years, North Carolina's magazine of record has kept readers informed about key trends, breaking economic development news, and how what happens in the Triad, or Raleigh, or Charlotte, could impact us in the High Country. It just so happens Business NC also has a podcast! While Ben Kinney appears on this week's Mind Your Business, David Jackson visits as a guest on this week's Chatter with BNC. Subscribe to both programs wherever you get your podcasts. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Everyone that happens to own a small business will tell you a different story when it comes to the concepts, creation, and execution involved in turning their dream into reality. Each will also admit that small business success is hard to achieve, with constant variables and market influences -- and then occasionally it snows! The opportunity to keep the dream alive keeps small business owners motivated to clock in each day, no matter the circumstances, and when they achieve a milestone, it's time to celebrate! On this week's Mind Your Business, we take a look back at 10-years of The Cardinal, as popular for their cheeseburgers and Bisbee rolls as they are for creating community for their customers and staff. Co-owner Seth Sullivan tells us the origin story the restaurant we know today, how much of the initial vision is still prevalent 10-years later, and how they have managed to manage the ebbs and flows of business management over a tricky decade. This conversation is part inspirational, part motivational, and an examination of the traits that make small businesses stick in the High Country. Also on this week's show, we share a few long term Helene Recovery updates, including news about new leadership for the Watauga Long Term Recovery Group. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Workforce Development has been a popular topic of focus for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce as 2026 gets started. While we celebrate programs tied to the recruitment and retention of talent, we must not take for granted the system that creates the classroom experience that seeds important workforce pipelines. Education is Everyone's Business is an upcoming community conversation and workshop that will highlight the K-12 public school system's role in workforce development, while also highlighting funding challenges that are making it harder to maintain education related to regional workforce needs. This workshop is scheduled for February 17th, from 11AM-4PM at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock. Registration is available at this link and is free of charge for those that would like to participate in this important dialogue. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Jennifer Rifkin, Senior Coordinator for Policy & Research for the Public School Forum of North Carolina. She provides a snapshot on where North Carolina ranks among surrounding states in funding for public schools, how funding discrepancies impact rural communities, and what role the business community can play in terms of advocacy to help retain and grow key workforce and community development pipelines. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

In late 2025, Jon Dalton George was sworn in as Mayor of the Town of Boone, succeeding Tim Futrelle. In making this move, George vacated his seat on Town Council to assume the Mayor's chair. The town has recently opened the application process for those who wish to be considered for that vacant seat. On this week's Mind Your Business, we discuss why Dalton George sought this new leadership perspective. We also discuss his vision for the town moving into 2026, how the Boone Next Comprehensive plan is helping guide key decisions, and how relationship equity with other regional partners can benefit the Town of Boone as we move into the future. Mayor George also will provide updates to key projects like Howard Street revitalization, downtown parking, stormwater management, and plenty more. Later in the show, we give you the details on the nomination process for the 10th annual 4 Under 40 awards and we'll have the latest on the fundraising efforts to support the staff of Bistro Roca and Antlers Bar after fire destroyed the business last Sunday. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Information was flying fast and furious at the 10th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, held January 15, 2026, and hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce. On this week's Mind Your Business, we revisit some of the key discussions from the event, including a one-on-one interview with Dr. Harry Davis, Economist for the NC Bankers Association and longtime App State professor. Other highlights include: Workforce R&R: Recruitment and Retention Panel Finding and keeping skilled workers across all industries is a top challenge for Watauga County businesses—and this panel tackles it head-on. Hear from local leaders representing five key local business sectors as they share recruitment realities, retention solutions, and family-focused approaches to policies that are helping keep these businesses in tune with the talent they need to thrive. Panelists: Emily BrinkerAlysia PriceCaren RodriguezKeynote Presentation: Mark Vitner, Economist, Piedmont Crescent Capital Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

There are numerous businesses here in the High Country that we all drive by every day and wonder, "what do they do in there?" As we roll into 2026, we are excited to launch a new 12-part series: Built in the High Country. This monthly feature will take us physically inside some of the most unique and successful businesses in Watauga County, as we examine what got them started and why they chose the High Country as the home for their business. This week on Mind Your Business, we visit Baker Forge & Tool, the 2023 Watauga County Small Business of the Year. Since in 2019, this niche business has moved from a car port to a 10,000 square foot facility in Watauga County, while becoming an influential player in the knife making industry. We'll tour the shop, talk steel forging, and learn about the influences that helped this business scale in such a short period of time. We'll also talk recruitment and retention strategies on this episode, as we take a deep dive into Family Forward NC. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

We are excited to bring you our first Mind Your Business for 2026! Our first episode of the new year examines the recent spike in activity in commercial development, particularly in the housing market. Recent large-scale projects have made headlines due to scope, location, and their potential impact on the local housing market. As these developments make their way through various stages of approval, we get some context and details about the development process from James Milner, President of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. He gives detail on ordinance requirements, process differences between municipalities, how communities address items like traffic control during the planning process, and how recent housing projects will impact the High Country's continued need for housing solutions. We are also excited to unveil our 2025 Watauga County Businesses of the Year. This year's honorees will be recognized at the 10th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon on January 15, 2026. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

In what is quickly becoming the season of saying, "for the last time in 2025," we bring you the final episode of Mind Your Business for the calendar year! On this week's episode, we take a closer look at the RISE Caldwell Watauga program, and how its connecting local employers with apprenticeships designed to enhance work-based learning for high school students interested in careers in the trades, manufacturing, health care, and hospitality sectors. Executive Director Tara Brossa will explain how employers can become hosts for apprentices and how students and parents can learn more about the program. Then, we turn our focus to the INSPIRE grant, a grant available for Helene impacted businesses that have been struggled to get reimbursement from their insurance provider. We’ll walk through who’s eligible, what the application process entails, and what steps business owners should take to access the program. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

This week's High Country weather brought its fair share of schedule disruptions, placing a premium on remote connectivity for the majority of us, from small business owners to local school students. As a small business, how do you stay up-to-date on the technology needs within your workplace, and how are those processes and programs accessed on a day when Old Man Winter decides we aren't going anywhere! On this amazingly topical episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Nate Solberg and David Garner of Nordic IT Solutions and discuss technology strategies for local small businesses. We'll talk about practical IT strategies for High Country Businesses, when is the right time for small businesses to consider managed IT solutions, how a partner can take some of the tech strain off your staff, especially if this is not an area of expertise for anyone within your company. All of these answers have a local solution, ensuring your business is cared for by people that understand our area and connectivity and compatibility needs -- especially when it snows like it did Monday! We will also roll out of final grouping of Holiday Shop Local businesses for this season, featuring Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, High Country 365 Dining Pass, and River Birch Nordic Sauna. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

As we kick off the final month of the year, this edition of Mind Your Business serves up a fresh slate of insights and stories from across the High Country. We sit down with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management to break down the financial to-dos local businesses and individuals should check off before the calendar turns, and we look at some of the driving economic forces of the past year along with those poised to shape 2026 in our region. We’ll also spotlight our next trio of Holiday Shop Local businesses—each offering great ideas for those seeking holiday experiences—and we'll share details about the grand opening of Mercy Urgent Care, now serving Boone and beyond from their location in the Watauga Village Shopping Center. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

This Thanksgiving edition of Mind Your Business features a buffet of stories from across the High Country. We'll learn more about the recent expansion announcement made by GE Aerospace for its Ashe County campus, and what this economic development win means for the Northwest region. We'll also recap the Evergreen Voices Gala that inspired our Watauga Women in Leadership attendees last week, and we'll hear about a trio of family-owned local businesses who have our next Holiday Shop Local bundle. A perfect blend of gratitude, growth, and community connections. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Due to Thanksgiving Week, you can catch this week's show on Wednesday, November 26th at 1PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

A holiday week is the PERFECT time to drop a bonus episode of Mind Your Business, just in case you need a podcast to get you through a long drive or out of an impossible conversation! We take you inside the Inn at Crestwood for the 2025 Watauga Women in Leadership Evergreen Voices Gala. This year's conversation centers on work ethic and hustle, the drive that pushes us to do hard things, stay committed through challenges, and find purpose in the process. Our featured guests: Pressley LatonKim PryorBrittney WhitesideThis panel represents a dynamic mix of experiences, from athletics and education to music and mentorship. Each will share how lessons learned early in life, on the court, in the classroom, or on stage, laid the foundation for their leadership today. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Support the show

Every race has a story, and the Mountaineer 10 Miler is no exception. On this week's Mind Your Business, we connect with Charlie Mercer and Ryan Anderson of Capstone Event Group, the visionaries behind this new event. They share how the race got its start, the lessons they’ve learned from successful events in other communities, and what that experience could mean for Boone. From inspiring participation to creating economic opportunities, Charlie and Ryan discuss how local organizations can get involved and benefit, and how the race strengthens connections across the High Country. We also are excited to share details about our first trio of participating businesses in our Holiday Shop Local campaign. This week we feature King Street Flowers, BRIGHT Eyes, and Go Postal in Boone. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Great perks can spark productivity, boost morale, and change workplace culture — but only if people know how to use them. On this week's Mind Your Business, we dive into what smart employers are offering now and how employees can make the most of every benefit available. We'll visit with Lisa Finaldi of Family Forward NC, who'll discuss popular benefits beyond just health insurance. Speaking of health insurance, we'll also hear from Susan Richards from Blue Cross Blue Shield NC with more specifics on Carolina HealthWorks. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

Among the many things business leaders must consider these days is the rising cost of health insurance, and how extending these benefits can impact the bottom line. On this week's Mind Your Business, we examine Carolina HealthWorks, a new program offered in partnership between the North Carolina Chamber and its Federation members and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We'll speak with representatives of the NC Chamber about how this program was designed to save on health insurance costs for businesses that have 2 to 50 employees. We'll also listen back to some of our favorite responses from Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions, hosted by the Watauga Leadership Institute at the Appalachian Theatre on November 3, 2025. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show

On Monday, November 3, 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and its Watauga Leadership Institute presented Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions. This program was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of App State's Walker College of Business and Mast General Store. Our featured guests included: Dr. Leslie Alexander, Superintendent, Watauga County Schools Dr. Heather Norris, Chancellor, Appalachian State University David Ray, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Conservancy Katie Woodle, President/CEO, Blue Ridge Energy Support the show

As businesses watch the calendar turn to November, many across the High Country are taking stock of October performance metrics. They are also trying to catch-up on everything else that's been going on during one of the busiest times of the year. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Eric Brinker of The Speckled Trout to get insight on October traffic for one of the area's multi-faceted brands. As guests and locals have traversed Downtown Boone this month, they have noted one side of the Howard Street Revitalization Project is beginning to take shape. We'll get the latest on construction progress and timelines from Lane Moody, Director of the Downtown Boone Development Association. We are also busy preparing for Monday night's Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions panel discussion. We'll talk with Dr. Jim Street, founder of Ridgeline Leadership and co-moderator of Monday's panel about opportunities during transition. We'll also get information on other program offerings under the Watauga Leadership Institute umbrella. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Thanks to Blue Ridge Conservancy for providing historical context to this story. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone. Support the show