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 after fire destroyed the business last Sunday.

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

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 Panel
Finding 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 Shop
• Alysia Price, Chief Human Resource Officer, UNC Health Appalachian
• Caren Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer, DMJPS PLLC

Keynote Presentation:

Mark Vitner, Economist, Piedmont Crescent Capital

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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 connectivity and compatibility needs -- especially when it snows like it did Monday!

We will also roll out of final grouping of Holiday Shop Local businesses for this season, featuring Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, High Country 365 Dining Pass, and River Birch Nordic Sauna.

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 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.

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/Songwriter
• Kim Pryor, Local educator, Head Coach of Watauga High School Volleyball
• Brittney Whiteside, Chief Strategy Officer, App State Athletics

This 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 thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show