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

July is prime time for tourism season across the High Country. As the calendar flips, vacationers flock to the area, especially those melting in the record heat off the mountain.  On this week's  Mind Your Business , we will discuss the intentionality that goes into creating the visitor experience, and what July means to both the anchor attractions as well as other businesses that benefit fro...

As we move through the month of June, the Mountaineer 10-miler, High Country Jazz Festival, and Boonerang are among the summer events that are officially in the books. On this week's Mind Your Business,  we dive into the early numbers regarding the economic impact of the Mountaineer 10-miler and Boonerang.  Charlie Mercer , CEO of Capstone Event Group rejoins the show to discuss the post-race...

There are businesses in the High Country that truly connect their product to the place.  This week on Mind Your Business, we continue our Built in Boone series, and step inside Booneshine Brewing Company , and talk with President and Co-Founder Tim Herdklotz . As we take a walking tour through the tasting room and production facility, we'll talk with Tim about Booneshine's origin story,...

Earlier this month, the Hunger & Health Coalition welcomed Lindsey Sullivan as the organization's new Executive Director. Lindsey is no stranger to the non-profit scene in Watauga County, having served as Health Strategist at AppHealthCare , where, among other projects, she was a lead voice in the creation of STABLE Workplaces. On this week's Mind Your Business , we catch up with Lin...

The wheels on the bus are about to be parked for a few months, as Watauga County Schools dismiss for summer break. As the Class of 2026 makes their way across the graduation stage, many will take their first steps into workforce pathways that will set them up for decades. On this week's Mind Your Business , we visit with Dr. Leslie Alexander , Superintendent of Watauga County Schools , as she...

The 7th Annual Vision Northwest North Carolina summit is in the books, and discussions around transportation throughout the region highlighted an agenda filled with local leaders and regional experts. On this week's Mind Your Business, we offer a recap of that day — from keynote discussions to a real life example of why transportation infrastructure matters to areas businesses at the most pra...

A landmark childcare partnership arrived in the High Country last week — one designed to stabilize two different workforces at once. On Friday, May 15th, UNC Health Appalachian officially announced their participation in the North Carolina Tri-Share Child Care Program , becoming the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to do so. On this week's Mind Your Business , we were at Frid...

Global pressures are testing economies at every level — and the High Country is not immune. Gas prices, a new Federal Reserve Chair, ongoing conflict abroad, and a midterm election on the horizon are all part of a picture that demands clear-eyed perspective. This week on Mind Your Business , we bring local context to all these issues as we are joined by Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management fo...

This week, UNC Health Appalachian became the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to launch a partnership with the North Carolina Tri-Share program — a childcare cost-sharing model that splits tuition three ways between the employer, the employee, and the state.  On this week's Mind Your Business , we visit with Alysia Price, Chief Human Resources Officer at UNC Health Appalachia...

This week marks the 3rd annual Fairway Fore Foundation Golf Classic at Jefferson Landing . This annual fundraising tournament fuels the work of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation , providing support for economic development projects and investments in childcare, housing, workforce development, infrastructure, and organizational support. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is not the only...

 On Tuesday, April 21st, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools hosted the inaugural Trades Signing Day at Watauga High School — recognizing students who have earned, or are on track to earn, an industry-recognized credential through the school's Career and Technical Education program. On this week's Mind Your Business , we recap the event and dig into the 2026 Wat...

Earlier this week, tickets went on sale for the 42nd season of An Appalachian Summer Festival , an annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the Appalachian State University campus, featuring an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming.   This five-week series brings world renowned artists across multiple genres...

Earlier this week, Lenny Cottom announced the sale of Hawksnest Snow Tubing & Zipline after 35-years of family ownership. Fortunately, this was part of the Cottom's plan, and they worked to find a buyer that shared their vision for the future of this long-time outdoor playground. Business succession does not always go so smoothly, and sometimes a lack of planning can force the hand of a b...

Earlier this week, FEMA announced its allocation of $103 million in Hurricane Helene related Public Assistance funding across 50 projects throughout Western North Carolina . Watauga County schools is set to receive over $28 million for the repair and repurposing of the old Valle Crucis School site. On this week's  Mind Your Business , we'll talk to Dr. Leslie Alexander , Superintendent o...

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th annual 4 Under 40 Awards ceremony , Wednesday, March 18th, at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. On this week's  Mind Your Business,  we hear from each of the 16 finalists, including reaction from each of the category winners as their names were called. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Com...

As we have discussed over the last several weeks, restoration work tied to the Great American Outdoors Act of 2021 has resumed along in the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County. This work will impact areas around Boone and Blowing Rock, though detour routes and staggard closures will ensure access to popular attractions like Cone Manor, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and Price Park throughout the duration...

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 a...

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 b...

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 com...

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 wor...

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 mot...

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 worksh...

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 leader...

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 Ap...

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 th...