David Jackson Productions

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 leadership perspective. We also discuss his vision for the town moving into 2026, how the Boone Next Comprehensive plan is helping guide key decisions, and how relationship equity with other regional partners can benefit the Town of Boone as we move into the future. Mayor George also will provide updates to key projects like Howard Street revitalization, downtown parking, stormwater management, and plenty more.Later in the show, we give you the details on the nomination process for the 10th annual 4 Under 40 awards and we'll have the latest on the fundraising efforts to support the staff of Bistro Roca and Antlers Bar af

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 App State professor. Other highlights include:Workforce R&R: Recruitment and Retention PanelFinding and keeping skilled workers across all industries is a top challenge for Watauga County businesses—and this panel tackles it head-on. Hear from local leaders representing five key local business sectors as they share recruitment realities, retention solutions, and family-focused approaches to policies that are helping keep these businesses in tune with the talent they need to thrive.Panelists:Emily Brinker, Co-Owner, The Speckled Trout Restaurant & Bottle ShopAlysia Price, Chief Human Resource Officer, UNC Health Appa

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 they chose the High Country as the home for their business.This week on Mind Your Business, we visit Baker Forge & Tool, the 2023 Watauga County Small Business of the Year. Since in 2019, this niche business has moved from a car port to a 10,000 square foot facility in Watauga County, while becoming an influential player in the knife making industry. We'll tour the shop, talk steel forging, and learn about the influences that helped this business scale in such a short period of time.We'll also talk recruitment and retention strategies on this episode, as we take a deep dive into Family Forward NC.Mind Your

We are excited to bring you our first Mind Your Business for 2026! Our first episode of the new year examines the recent spike in activity in commercial development, particularly in the housing market. Recent large-scale projects have made headlines due to scope, location, and their potential impact on the local housing market.As these developments make their way through various stages of approval, we get some context and details about the development process from James Milner, President of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. He gives detail on ordinance requirements, process differences between municipalities, how communities address items like traffic control during the planning process, and how recent housing projects will impact the High Country's continued need for housing solutions.We are also excited to unveil our 2025 Watauga County Businesses of the Year. This year's honorees will be recognized at the 10th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon on January 15, 2026.Mind Your Business

In what is quickly becoming the season of saying, "for the last time in 2025," we bring you the final episode of Mind Your Business for the calendar year!On this week's episode, we take a closer look at the RISE Caldwell Watauga program, and how its connecting local employers with apprenticeships designed to enhance work-based learning for high school students interested in careers in the trades, manufacturing, health care, and hospitality sectors. Executive Director Tara Brossa will explain how employers can become hosts for apprentices and how students and parents can learn more about the program.Then, we turn our focus to the INSPIRE grant, a grant available for Helene impacted businesses that have been struggled to get reimbursement from their insurance provider. We’ll walk through who’s eligible, what the application process entails, and what steps business owners should take to access the program.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This

This week's High Country weather brought its fair share of schedule disruptions, placing a premium on remote connectivity for the majority of us, from small business owners to local school students.As a small business, how do you stay up-to-date on the technology needs within your workplace, and how are those processes and programs accessed on a day when Old Man Winter decides we aren't going anywhere!On this amazingly topical episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Nate Solberg and David Garner of Nordic IT Solutions and discuss technology strategies for local small businesses. We'll talk about practical IT strategies for High Country Businesses, when is the right time for small businesses to consider managed IT solutions, how a partner can take some of the tech strain off your staff, especially if this is not an area of expertise for anyone within your company. All of these answers have a local solution, ensuring your business is cared for by people that understand our area and connectiv

As we kick off the final month of the year, this edition of Mind Your Business serves up a fresh slate of insights and stories from across the High Country. We sit down with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management to break down the financial to-dos local businesses and individuals should check off before the calendar turns, and we look at some of the driving economic forces of the past year along with those poised to shape 2026 in our region. We’ll also spotlight our next trio of Holiday Shop Local businesses—each offering great ideas for those seeking holiday experiences—and we'll share details about the grand opening of Mercy Urgent Care, now serving Boone and beyond from their location in the Watauga Village Shopping Center. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Sup

This Thanksgiving edition of Mind Your Business features a buffet of stories from across the High Country. We'll learn more about the recent expansion announcement made by GE Aerospace for its Ashe County campus, and what this economic development win means for the Northwest region. We'll also recap the Evergreen Voices Gala that inspired our Watauga Women in Leadership attendees last week, and we'll hear about a trio of family-owned local businesses who have our next Holiday Shop Local bundle. A perfect blend of gratitude, growth, and community connections. Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Due to Thanksgiving Week, you can catch this week's show on Wednesday, November 26th at 1PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

A holiday week is the PERFECT time to drop a bonus episode of Mind Your Business, just in case you need a podcast to get you through a long drive or out of an impossible conversation!We take you inside the Inn at Crestwood for the 2025 Watauga Women in Leadership Evergreen Voices Gala. This year's conversation centers on work ethic and hustle, the drive that pushes us to do hard things, stay committed through challenges, and find purpose in the process. Our featured guests: Pressley Laton, Local Singer/SongwriterKim Pryor, Local educator, Head Coach of Watauga High School VolleyballBrittney Whiteside, Chief Strategy Officer, App State AthleticsThis panel represents a dynamic mix of experiences, from athletics and education to music and mentorship. Each will share how lessons learned early in life, on the court, in the classroom, or on stage, laid the foundation for their leadership today.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible

Every race has a story, and the Mountaineer 10 Miler is no exception. On this week's Mind Your Business, we connect with Charlie Mercer and Ryan Anderson of Capstone Event Group, the visionaries behind this new event. They share how the race got its start, the lessons they’ve learned from successful events in other communities, and what that experience could mean for Boone. From inspiring participation to creating economic opportunities, Charlie and Ryan discuss how local organizations can get involved and benefit, and how the race strengthens connections across the High Country. We also are excited to share details about our first trio of participating businesses in our Holiday Shop Local campaign. This week we feature King Street Flowers, BRIGHT Eyes, and Go Postal in Boone.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at

 Great perks can spark productivity, boost morale, and change workplace culture — but only if people know how to use them. On this week's Mind Your Business, we dive into what smart employers are offering now and how employees can make the most of every benefit available. We'll visit with Lisa Finaldi of Family Forward NC, who'll discuss popular benefits beyond just health insurance. Speaking of health insurance, we'll also hear from Susan Richards from Blue Cross Blue Shield NC with more specifics on Carolina HealthWorks.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Among the many things business leaders must consider these days is the rising cost of health insurance, and how extending these benefits can impact the bottom line.On this week's Mind Your Business, we examine Carolina HealthWorks, a new program offered in partnership between the North Carolina Chamber and its Federation members and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We'll speak with representatives of the NC Chamber about how this program was designed to save on health insurance costs for businesses that have 2 to 50 employees.We'll also listen back to some of our favorite responses from Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions, hosted by the Watauga Leadership Institute at the Appalachian Theatre on November 3, 2025.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM &

On Monday, November 3, 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and its Watauga Leadership Institute presented Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions. This program was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of App State's Walker College of Business and Mast General Store. Our featured guests included:Dr. Leslie Alexander, Superintendent, Watauga County SchoolsDr. Heather Norris, Chancellor, Appalachian State UniversityDavid Ray, Executive Director, Blue Ridge ConservancyKatie Woodle, President/CEO, Blue Ridge EnergySupport the show

As businesses watch the calendar turn to November, many across the High Country are taking stock of October performance metrics. They are also trying to catch-up on everything else that's been going on during one of the busiest times of the year.On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Eric Brinker of The Speckled Trout to get insight on October traffic for one of the area's multi-faceted brands. As guests and locals have traversed Downtown Boone this month, they have noted one side of the Howard Street Revitalization Project is beginning to take shape. We'll get the latest on construction progress and timelines from Lane Moody, Director of the Downtown Boone Development Association. We are also busy preparing for Monday night's Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions panel discussion. We'll talk with Dr. Jim Street, founder of Ridgeline Leadership and co-moderator of Monday's panel about opportunities during transition. We'll also get informatio

Organizations strive to stay true to their mission.The Watauga Land Trust was formed in 1995, established by Appalachian State University students concerned with protecting Howard Knob, a mountain adjacent to the Town of Boone. The new organization raised local awareness about the unprecedented pace of development not just around Boone, but across North Carolina’s northwestern mountains. These concerns galvanized the local community and in 1997 the Watauga Land Trust changed its name to High Country Conservancy and expanded its jurisdiction to include Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. The organization’s mission was “to protect the natural resources of Appalachia by conserving land with significant ecological, cultural, recreational, or scenic value in the North Carolina High Country.”In May of 2010, Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust based in West Jefferson, North Carolina and High Country Conservancy, based in Boone merged to create Blue Ridge Conservancy, a private, non-profit organization that has protected over

Conversations around the cost of healthcare and related insurance coverage brings a variety of emotions these days. While the Federal Government continues to use the renewal of tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act as a chief negotiating tool in budget conversations, High Country residents are among the millions of Americans gearing up for open enrollment and could see premiums skyrocket depending on how things land in Washington. No matter how this ends, it has become more apparent than ever that maximizing one's healthcare benefits is of the utmost importance, and employers have a role to play in that conversation.On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Wayne Randall, Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield's Beyond Blue Neighborhood Center. We'll hear how his team works with community partners to make simple healthcare options like screenings, vaccine clinics and other services available to all, regardless of insurance coverage. He will also discuss timing of open enrollmen

The landscape around the High Country is getting more beautiful by the day! The annual changing of the leaves provides the perfect backdrop for one of the most important times on our region's economic calendar. As we move through fall festival season, this week's Mind Your Business is focused on the Super Bowl Weekend of fall events, October 18-19 -- featuring Valle Country Fair, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, and App State Homecoming.We will talk with festival organizers about the details of these signature events, while also discussing the economic ripple events fall activity has on the High Country. We'll also give some tips and tricks regarding parking and traffic for the weekend, including gameday specific information for the area around Kidd Brewer Stadium and Downtown Boone.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show ea

The Federal government shutdown has people asking about the status of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have answers about access to this popular piece of the High Country's fall experience.Speaking of government, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites in Boone, centered around the Boone Town Council & Mayoral race. We bring you the full archive of the forum, featuring Town Council candidates Todd Carter, Morgan Murray, Virginia Roseman, and Adrian Tait. Mayoral candidate Dalton George was not in attendance at the event due to a work conflict, but offered a four-minute summary of his vision for the role.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

As we approach the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina, we bring you a special episode of Mind Your Business. This week we connect with six Chambers of Commerce from across the region to answer some of the most popular questions of the day. We get perspective on how things stand in each community today, what are challenges, the silver linings, how does funding play into continued recovery, and plenty more.Our chamber guests include:Kitty Honeycutt, Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber of CommerceCasey Gilbert, Vice President of Public Policy, Asheville Area Chamber of CommerceVictoria Bowman, Executive Director, Avery County Chamber of CommerceRobin Miller, President/CEO, Blowing Rock Chamber of CommerceKim Effler, President/CEO, McDowell Chamber of CommerceHosted by: David Jackson, President/CEO, Boone Area Chamber of CommerceMind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponso

The Spirit of Boone serves as the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce annual membership gathering and provides an opportunity to celebrate a group of annual award recipients for their impact on the High Country community.While this week’s Mind Your Business was recorded just hours before this year’s event, we took the opportunity to build a “pregame show” around some past honorees, to see how the path of leadership has directed some of community’s most influential businesses.Tim Herdklotz, Co-Owner of Booneshine, the 2019 recipient of the Alfred Adams Award for Economic DevelopmentLiz Whiteman, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, operator of the High Country Food Hub, 2020 recipient of the everGREEN Award for SustainabilityYolanda Adams, Owner, Que Pasa Appalachia, recipient of the 2020 Baker/Jones Woman of the Year award We will hear from each of our guests about changes to their business over the last five years, how community disruptions have shaped their approach, and what advice they have f