Many of Boone's business success stories started as a kitchen table company. It was an idea that was successfully nurtured from side-hustle to primary business interest. While we see the final leg of that journey, and recognize the success, it's the first few steps of a life-altering career change that can keep the best ideas from turning into reality.

David Still is the Founder of GuitarGavel.com, a Boone-based online business that was carefully researched and positioned over time, giving David the confidence to "take the leap." We'll hear about the challenges of operating a business that is post-infancy but pre-revenue, and he's give some guidelines about benchmarking that can help keep a new business venture moving forward at a reasonable pace.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

Clean energy alternatives are a hot topic, especially in an area of the country where residents and businesses are as environmentally conscious as they are in the High Country.

On this week's installment of the Mind Your Business podcast, we will hear about a new Green Power Program, offered by New River Light and Power (NRLP), the supplier for energy for residents and businesses inside the Town of Boone.

We'll hear from Ed Miller, General Manager of NRLP, about how customers can purchase blocks of power from clean and renewable energy sources that can help offset their monthly consumption. We'll hear about the environmental impacts of such a project from Watauga Riverkeeper Andy Hill. George Santucci, Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Boone will share how the largest users of power in the area feel this project will advance their own clean energy objectives.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

While the App State Football team prepares on the field for the 2021 season, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin and his staff have been hard at work, ready to welcome fans back to The Rock for a full slate of games this fall.

Since we last met in full at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the footprint around the stadium has changed, the COVID-19 landscape has changed the way people attend events, and college athletics in general continues its ever evolving nature.

How are the Mountaineers setup off the field to host a product that is a major economic driver in the High Country? What will tailgating look like this fall? What opportunities and challenges does the Luke Combs concert bring?

All questions we tackle on this week's installment of Mind Your Business.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

Over the last 48 hours we have heard details about 3rd doses of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. Jennifer Greene, Director of Public Health/CEO of AppHealthCare will explain who is eligible to receive these shots now, how deployment will work, and when the general public can expect to be cleared to receive a 3rd dose.

Remembering back to the scheduling challenges that many businesses faced as employees were vaccinated during the winter and early spring, Jennifer explains possible side effects, new delivery methods, and how businesses can plan ahead and provide good information to employees that have vaccine-related questions.

Mind Your Business is presented weekly through a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

As Appalachian State University continues to welcome students and staff back to campus, Jason Marshburn, Director of Environmental Health, Safety, and Emergency Management, details the plans for a safe and responsible start to the fall semester.  He discusses campus mask policy, large events, and how the App State staff will continue to monitoring the changing COVID-19 trends around our community.

To read the latest COVID-19 updates from campus, please click here.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly through a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

Get the latest on ongoing discussions and upcoming public meetings that impact the Boone community as we move forward through the month of August.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

The 9th annual Back 2 School festival is fast approaching. This annual community event helps school children gather the necessary supplies they need for the school year ahead, while also providing opportunities to boost the confidence and excitement level of families from across Watauga County.

On this week's installment of Mind Your Business, we hear from Kendra Sink and Tara Stollenmaier, two of the lead organizers for this annual event. We'll get details on the logistics surrounding this year's distribution, how community members and businesses can still support, and we'll hear some success stories regarding the impact of the Back 2 School Festival over the past several years.

The event will be held at Watauga High School, August 6-7. Below is a schedule for pick-up times based on local school districts. Due to current COVID conditions, you must come during your school’s assigned time.  If siblings have multiple schools, choose one of them.  You will not need to come multiple times.  

Friday, August 6th
2:00pm - Hardin Park
4:00pm - Green Valley and Homeschool
6:00pm - Valle Crucis and Cove Creek   

Saturday, August 7th                                       
9:00am - Parkway and Two Rivers                
11:00am - Bethel, Blowing Rock and Mabel
1:00pm - Watauga High School

Mind Your Business is produced each week thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

Businesses are complex and negotiating the space for your business may be even more complex! It's important to have a strong advocate representing you as you make important decisions about where your business will operate, and what the space you have selected will actually allow you to do.

James Milner, President/Founder of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate joins us this week on Mind Your Business to discuss important topics in the commercial real estate market, local development trends, and why we see so much student housing in Boone.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

There are enough stresses in life. Worrying about the to-do list at your beautiful vacation home should not be something that keeps you from enjoying your time in the High Country. 

This week's Mind Your Business podcast introduces you to Catherine & Stuart Smith of C.S. Smith Property Management.

C.S. Smith Property Management is a comprehensive property management team that provides the highest level of personal and professional service in the High Country. They specialize in customized maintenance and care of non-rental properties for absentee homeowners including regular property inspections, vendor oversight, new home set-up and renovation/project management.

The team at C.S. Smith Property Management is also well equipped to assist REALTORS who are staging properties for sale and need an extra hand in making sure things are just right for that important property visit.

Mind Your Business is produced each week through a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce continued the State of the Community Series last week, highlighting local education partners. We thank Blue Ridge Energy for their continued support of this series of important conversations.

Education is a major component of the High Country's economic engine.  Local educators are not only training the workforce of tomorrow, but these professionals comprise the staffs of two of the three largest employers in our area. The High Country is also the beneficiary of millions of dollars in recurring revenue from our post-secondary population and the campuses that host those students have invested well over $500 million dollars in infrastructure improvements over the last decade.

As schools of all scopes and sizes prepare for the upcoming school year, hear the latest surrounding operations plans, new classroom initiatives, workforce training opportunities, and what's to come in the wave of infrastructure investments by these agencies.

On this week's installment of Mind Your Business, we recap our conversation with representatives from Appalachian State University, Lees-McRae College, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, and Watauga County Schools.

Featured Guests:
Dr. Heather Norris, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, Appalachian State University
Randy Ledford, Vice President of Instruction, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Dr. Lee King, President, Lees-McRae College
Dr. Scott Elliott, Superintendent, Watauga County Schools

Mind Your Business is presented each week thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show (https://www.boonechamber.com/membership-information)