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

Effective July 27, 2023, Appalachian Regional Heathcare System has changed its brand to UNC Health Appalachian. This move reflects efforts to align with UNC Health’s rebranding strategy.

On this special bonus episode of Mind Your Business, we speak with Chuck Mantooth, President/CEO of the newly named UNC Health Appalachian, about this branding transition and what it means for healthcare in the High Country.

While the community will begin to see the transition to the new logo beginning in October, it will take some time for the new brand to be updated in all places. This will happen in phases and items such as digital assets will change over quickly; however, larger scope projects like signage will gradually transition.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

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The Town of Boone continues gathering feedback on its Community Climate Action Plan.

On this week's Mind Your Business, George Santucci, Director of Sustainability & Special Projects for the Town of Boone, drops by to discuss the outcome of two recent community input sessions. He also discusses ways the Town of Boone has limited its greenhouse gas emissions and how those actions can be mirrored by the local community.

To contact George Santucci about further conversations and opportunities for partnership, email [email protected].

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

Businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout the High Country are on the hunt for staff to round out their teams. While some businesses are positioned to handle these searches on their own, others can benefit from local resources to assist with everything from building a job description to executing a successful search.

On this week's Mind Your Business Podcast, we visit with James Wheeler, co-owner of Elk River Recruiting Company, a business that specializes in helping businesses find the workforce they need. We discuss current trends in the world of employee searches, and highlight the types of businesses that may best benefit from assistance with filling positions. James also offers three key points for businesses to consider when searching for an employee.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

The commercial real estate scene in the High Country remains active despite a decrease in overall sales activity. As usual, Boone has no shortage of projects and spaces under development.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we talk about the current landscape of commercial real estate in the High Country with James Milner of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. We'll get an update on current projects, sales and leasing activity, and the role real estate plays into the broader economic development picture.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

During their meeting on July 12, 2023, the Boone Town Council adopted a new ordinance governing street vending in the downtown area. This action was taken after several months of discussion and input from vendors and businesses, input from the Downtown Boone Development Association, which ultimately resulted in the creation new parameters and guidelines for those who wish to vend in Downtown Boone.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we talk with Lane Moody, Downtown Boone Development Coordinator, and the point person for the Town of Boone on this new street vending policy.  For more information about the new policy, including the effective date of the ordinace, visit the Town of Boone's website. Members of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce can reference the July 13th edition of The Chamber Report e-newsletter for additional details.  

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

Enrollment in the proper health insurance plan takes research and a handy calendar, as most Americans are limited to changes in their plan during specific open enrollment windows. There are circumstances such as a change of life event, like retiring from a job, or even more rare, when a service provider discontinues their offering, that opens special enrollment windows.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we are joined by Wayne Randall of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to discuss a special enrollment window for customers of Friday Health Plans. Wayne will also discuss updates to local non-profit outreach programs offered by BCBSNC right here in the High Country, along with some dates to jot down about upcoming open enrollment periods.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

828 Real Estate was founded on the idea of building a strong community, loving where you live and giving back. The agency will celebrate their 5th Business Anniversary with a "carnival" style event to raise money for 3 of Downtown Boone non-profits.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we discuss 828 Community Day, set for July 8th from 12-3PM at the Jones House in Downtown Boone. Come enjoy an exciting summer afternoon of fun, food, and laughs, all in the name of strengthening our connections to each other and our community.

Sara Long and Shalamar Blevins of 828 Real Estate join the program to talk about the creation of the event, what to expect, and how supporting local non-profits and community partners has enhanced their business over the last five years.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

In 2018, Brad Moretz and Brenda Speckmann of Appalachian Ski Mountain initiated the Round-Up for the Middle Fork Greenway - a way to engage businesses in a month-long fundraiser for the up-and-coming Greenway project. That first year was a success, and since then, community businesses and individuals have rallied behind the Round-Up for the Middle Fork Greenway to raise nearly $700K. 

This money has leveraged over $5.5 million in state grants and Tourism Development Authority funding for land acquisition, trail construction, trailhead development, design, engineering, permitting, and feasibility studies. The funding has also helped protect 47 acres of land along the greenway, including pocket parks, trailheads, river access, and trail. This year's Round-Up for the Greenway proceeds will go toward constructing Boone Gorge Park. 

On this week's Mind Your Business, we talk with Wendy Patoprsty, Director of the Middle Fork Greenway for Blue Ridge Conservancy. She provides an update on new and future construction along the corridor, while also sharing specific information on how businesses can participate in this year's round-up.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

Festival season is in full swing in the High Country. After a successful High Country Jazz Festival to start the month of June, all eyes are on the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place this weekend in Downtown Boone.

On June 24th, the 39th season of An Appalachian Summer Festival gets underway, as Leslie Odom, Jr. kicks off the Schaefer Popular Series. Over the next five weeks, world-renowned musicians, performers, artists, and authors will descend upon the High Country with something for all ages.

On this week's Mind Your Business, Allison West joins us once again to preview the Schaefer Popular Series while also sharing details on ticket availability for all events.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show

Work regarding housing affordability and accessibility in Watauga County continues and the Watauga Community Housing Trust has reemerged as a well-positioned resource in the conversation.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we are joined by WCHT Board Chair Ben Loomis, who provides definition around the housing trust model and why this can be a helpful tool in the current Watauga County housing climate. He also will share details on a special fundraising opportunity to help seed the WCHT's first project in a Boone area neighborhood.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The radio show airs each Thursday morning at 10:05AM on WATA (1450AM/96.5FM) in the High Country.

The podcast version of the program is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

Support the show