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

On May 3rd,  The Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) Board of Trustees and the UNC Health Board of Directors announced the approval of a comprehensive, long-term Management Services Agreement (MSA) between the two organizations to expand local health care services and improve access to resources for patients in the High Country region of North Carolina.

What does this agreement include? How will it impact access to quality health care in the High Country? To get the answers to these questions, and to put a few rumors to rest, this week's installment of Mind Your Business features Chuck Mantooth, President/CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System. Here his comments about why this arrangement was sought and how it will change the way patients communicate with their heath providers.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly  by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

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The sophomore campaign of Appalachian FC is just around the corner. The 2021 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Startup Business of the Year is eager to build off a global brand release that was complemented by a NPSL playoff appearance in their first season on the pitch.

Michael Hitchcock, principal owner of Appalachian FC returns to Mind Your Business to discuss year two for a growing startup business. Hear how has the club worked to improve its market share, fan engagement, and brand penetration, while leaning in to traditions and nuances some minor league sports franchises can only see in their dreams.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

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Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, few experts could have accurately predicted what was about to happen to the entrepreneurial landscape in North Carolina and across the nation. While the early days of the pandemic saw many businesses shutter and close their doors, few expected that over the next two years new business formations in North Carolina would be at an all-time high.

Since 2020, the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State has reported over 300,000 new businesses registered. In 2021 alone, the 178,300 new business creation filings were more than double the amount registered four years prior.

On this week's installment of Mind Your Business, we are joined by NC Rural Center President Patrick Woodie. A native of Northwest North Carolina, Patrick understands the issues confronting rural businesses from a first-person perspective. Hear about the NC Rural Center's upcoming webinar series: The State of Small Business in North Carolina. Patrick shares how the NC Rural Center is examining data trends related to this latest entrepreneurial renaissance and how his team is adjusting their own policy focus to ensure new businesses get the support they need as the move toward sustainability.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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As the temperature (maybe) warms up for good, businesses in the High Country are busy preparing for the hustle and bustle of the late spring and early summer. As people have less time to digest information about the various programs and seminars that dot the landscape, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has taken the opportunity to distill this information for you in what we are calling the Spring Organization episode of Mind Your Business.

On this week's program, we'll discuss the roll-out of Phase 2 of the N.C. Business Recovery Grant Program and the wide range of businesses that are now eligible for this COVID-19 economic recovery program. We'll also discuss an upcoming webinar series hosted by the NC Rural Center focused on The State of Small Business in North Carolina. This series will reveal some eye-opening statistics from the NC Secretary of State about the number of entrepreneurial starts since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss Vision Northwest North Carolina, a one-day summit to be held next month in Boone, which focuses on cultivating the workforce of tomorrow.

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

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COVID-19 boosters, the "bugs" that are going around, and spring allergies are just a few of the topics that are discussed daily by the local pharmacists and staff at Boone Drug, Inc.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we check-in with Spencer Hodges, Corporate Pharmacy Manager, and get updates on these key community health conversations.

Boone Drug is also one of the region's largest employers, and a great predictor of workforce trends we can all pay attention to as we head toward the summer employment season. We'll discuss retail labor trends and what Boone Drug does to prioritize retention among their own workforce.

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

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As family members assist a loved one through the last stages of life, the stresses of providing care take can away from the valuable time you seek to spend together. Community-based Hospice care can provide those necessary, and often elevated services, while allowing the family to concentrate on supporting the emotional needs of the moment.

Amorem, formerly Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, works daily to provide quality, thoughtful, loving care to our patients and support to their families and offer education and grief support to communities served.

On this week's installment of Mind Your Business, hear from Kerri McFalls and Carol Smith, as they discuss new facilities and services being offered in the High Country, and how Amorem is working to improve the quality of Hospice care in the region.

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

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Global impacts on the local economy...what does it all mean and how will it impact my situation? A common question asked by us all as we examine the economic realities that influence our short and long term strategies.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we use our quarterly check-in with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management to examine these topics, and also discuss the upcoming income tax deadline. We'll also discuss tips on using the remainder of the 2022 calendar year to best align your tax strategy toward next year's visit with Uncle Sam.

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

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As businesses in the High Country transition toward spring, what differences exist in workforce recruitment and retainment? How has workplace culture evolved during COVID-19? Businesses that are having success retaining staff and running their business here in the High Country, simply put, "What's the secret?"

Ricki & Elizabeth Pedroni operate Casa Rustica, CR Catering, and Fairway Cafe, and they have seen just about every up and down the economy can offer this region over their decades of restaurant and catering management. They offer some context about how they have survived the pandemic economic whirlwind, what adjustments they've made to their business, and what they see coming down the road. They also talk about some DELICIOUS food too, so don't miss that!!

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

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Energy is on everyone's mind these days, whether its the gas in your gar or the heat in your house. How communities and their utilities source energy that is efficient and sustainably focused is as important as ever.

On this week's Mind Your Business, Ed Miller of App State's New River Light and Power updates us on the utility's plans for future infrastructure investment. He also discusses how people can maximize energy efficiency in their homes and businesses, and how the Green Power Program is setting the community up for future energy stability.

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

Support the show

In an effort to lead important regional conversations, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce announces the 2022 Vision Northwest North Carolina one-day summit, focused on Creating Tomorrow's Workforce.  

The event, presented by SkyLine/SkyBest and Carolina West Wireless, will take place on Thursday, May 19th, 2022 at the Leon Levine Hall of Appalachian State University.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we detail the topics, speakers, and agenda for this important regional conversation.

For a detailed agenda, and to register, please click here..

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

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