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

The High Country features dozens of businesses that have a unique approach that is central to their company DNA. These are the special traits that make these businesses magnets, for visitors and locals alike, who may be on the hunt for something new in the marketplace.

While the core elements of these unique businesses will always remain visible, the most successful companies have found ways to enhance their products and offerings, while not straying far away from what made them attractive destinations in the first place.

On this week's episode of Mind Your Business, we talk with Mike Raymond, the newly named General Manager of Appalachian FC. We'll hear about how the franchise continues to play into their unique identity that has made them one of the most popular start-up franchises in US Soccer. We'll also get insight on how the leadership of the franchise intends to take a mix of last year's success and this year's opportunity, and create an enhanced product that still features some of the traits that initially made them so enticing to players and spectators.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program can be heard each Thursday morning at 10:05 on WATA Radio (1450AM/96.5FM).

The podcast version of the program is presented each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

There are signs around Watauga County that the tourism season has been successful. Or at least traffic, would suggest that is the case!

The Watauga County and Boone Tourism Development Authorities can back up the perceived performance with hard data, tracking where visitors come from and how much they spend annually in the area. How does 2022 compare with others? How can occupancy tax be spent locally? How does tourism data and activity inform policy decisions?

On this episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Wright Tilley, Executive Director of Explore Boone, which is the visible front of the Boone and Watauga County TDAs. He discusses some of the indicators his organization tracks to chart tourism performance year over year. He also explains how occupancy tax is collected, how it can be spent, and potential changes that may occur with the formula.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program can be heard each Thursday morning at 10:05 on WATA Radio (1450AM/96.5FM).

This podcast is made possible by support from Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

With peak leaf season in our rear view and lots of App State football excitement and notoriety still churning up daily conversation, many people ask about the impact of high-volume events on our community. Do viewers of nationally televised football games translate into visitors? How do events like Valle Country Fair serve to "introduce" people to an area they'd like to visit in the future? How do social media impressions convert into dollars for our local business community?

On this edition of the Mind Your Business podcast series, we discuss numbers...and how visibility leads to visitors...and how that brings the next generation of mountain tourists to our doorstep.

Midn Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This program can be heard each Thursday morning at 10:05 on WATA Radio (1450AM/96.5FM).

The podcast edition of this program is presented each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

The Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum was broadcast live from the Appalachian Theatre on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.

The race for the Watauga County Board of Education includes incumbents Marshall Ashcraft, Gary Childers, and Jay Fenwick along with challengers Chad Cole, Jennifer Hanifan, and Dustin Kerley.

Thanks to JSA productions for making these recordings available in podcast form.

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The Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum was broadcast live from the Appalachian Theatre on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.

The race for the US House 5th District includes incumbent Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R) against challenger Kyle Parrish (D).

Thanks to JSA Productions for making the audio of these forums available in podcast form.

Support the show

The Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum was broadcast live from the Appalachian Theatre on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.

The race for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners includes incumbents Billy Kennedy and Larry Turnbow and challengers Todd Castle, Angela King, Braxton Eggers, and Melissa Tausche. 

Thanks to JSA Productions for making this audio available in podcast form.

Support the show

The Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum was broadcast live from the Appalachian Theatre on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.

The race for the Watauga County Sheriff includes incumbent Sheriff Len Hagaman (D) and challenger David Searcy (R).

Thanks to JSA Productions for making the audio of these forums available in podcast form.

Support the show

The Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum was broadcast live from the Appalachian Theatre on Thursday, October 6, 2022. The event was co-hosted by the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce.

The race for NC House District 93 includes incumbent Representative Ray Pickett (R) and challenger Ben Massey (D). 

Thanks to JSA Productions for making this audio available in podcast form.

Support the show

In communities like ours, the support of local service-based organizations remains a critical component of the quality of life that makes our area unique. The local civic organizations, groups, and families that raise funds for these organizations and projects, help provide a difference-making impact on the community as a whole.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Ben Henderson, Co-chair of Fundraising for the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club. It's time for the club's Annual Fruit Sale, and we'll get information about ordering and the delivery window that will ensure you have your products by the holidays. A full 100% of the net proceeds from thus fundraiser go to support projects and grants funded by Boone Sunrise Rotary. We'll hear about the types of projects that have been supported in the past and how the fruit you eat can help support the community you call home.

Mind Your Business is produced each week by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program can be heard each Thursday morning at 10:05 on WATA Radio (1450AM/96.5FM).

The podcast version of this program is supported each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

As the leaves begin to show their magical fall colors, thousands of visitors will make their way to the High Country over the next several weeks to experience the beauty of autumn in the mountains.

One of the staple events that brings people to our area is the Valle Country Fair. On this week's episode of Mind Your Business, we hear from co-chairs John & Tracey Heiss about this year's event schedule and the impact the Fair has on our local community. We'll hear details on the artists scheduled to attend, the foods we can experience, and the changes to traffic patterns that have helped make entry to the Fair more expedient than ever before. 

Proceeds from this annual event are reinvested in various High Country-based non-profit businesses, and we'll hear about specific plans for that investment along with ways our community can help volunteer throughout next week to ensure the Fair goes off without a hitch.

Mind Your Business is produced each week by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show airs each Thursday at 10:05AM on WATA radio (96.5FM/1450AM).

The podcast version of the program is made possible thanks to the support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show