Mind Your Business - Watauga Leadership Institute - Duane Wade - Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone

Financial information comes at you from many directions and in many flavors in today's economy. What are the indicators and trends that speak best to the day-to-day realities of business and personal life in Watauga County? What trends should we pay attention to as it relates to the next big shift? Simply asked, "What's Going On with the Economy?"

On this week's Mind Your Business, we present our quarterly check-in with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management. We talk taxes, interest rates, inflation, and we even work in some discussion about the value of cold, hard cash in today's economic landscape. We'll asl discuss indicators, and what we should be paying attention to here in Northwest North Carolina as it relates to our individual financial picture.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

BONUS CONTENT!!!

On this special episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Matt Snyder, Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections about the upcoming 2024 Primary election. Hear specifics about early voting ahead of the March 5th election, polling site and voter ID information, changes to districts for the upcoming Watauga County Commissioners races, and plenty more.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and is made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Positive connections between communities make a region like the High Country stronger. Partnership on one project can lead to future dialogue about other collaborative opportunities. The more we work to connect our local towns, counties, and their governmental entities, the better the chance for businesses and individuals to find similar ways to work with one another.

The Blue Ridge Conservancy works each day to protect and preserve the places we love throughout the High Country. Unique projects like the Middle Fork Greenway, which will connect Boone and Blowing Rock with 6.5 miles of greenway trail along the middle fork of the New River, bring a physical connection to two towns that already work with one another on a variety of projects. The physical linkage between the two will only enhance the case for future partnerships between Watauga County's two largest municipalities.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we learn more about a similar project, the Northern Peaks State Trail, that will one day connect Downtown Boone to Downtown West Jefferson. This project includes the permanent protection of an important High Country viewshed and will foster more access points to public lands that include several of the area's most scenic settings. Jordan Sellers, Northern Peaks State Trail for Blue Ridge Conservancy, tells us how the project came together, how environmental stewardship plays into the trail's development, and how the trail will positively impact the towns of Boone and West Jefferson.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and is made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

The ability to access affordable childcare in Watauga County remains as much a part of the conversation around economic prosperity as accessing affordable housing. Even if you don't have a child that requires childcare, chances are you work with someone that does, and workforce reliability remains an important topic for all to consider. Also, from a workforce retention standpoint, employers that remain educated about the opportunities and challenges that staff members are facing when it comes to finding childcare are more likely to retain employees when they align resources and policies in ways that are supportive

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Virginia Ford and Wes Berry of The Children's Council of Watauga County and Halee Hartley, Owner of Kid Cove, as we discuss the current State of Childcare in Watauga County, and how agencies, businesses, and local government are all working together to improve circumstances for children, their families, and the workforce that drives the industry.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and is made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

The residential real estate market is one of the most complex, and at times frustrating aspects of our local economy. The need for housing of all types and price points, for sale and rent, remains a pressing workforce challenge.

Stacie Pineda of the Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group joins us on this week's Mind Your Business to answer the question: "What's Up with Residential Real Estate." She'll discuss current inventory and it's impact on prices, how cash buyers and interest rates are influencing activity, and what advice she has for those selling or buying in today's market.

Mind Your Business is produced each week by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

As part of the 8th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present the 2023 Watauga County Business of the Year awards. This ceremony was presented thanks to the support of Carolina Mountain Title.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we revisit the podium speeches from each of our winners, which could possibly serve as motivation for those that are charting their own progress for 2024.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. It's presented each week thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

It's been a fast and furious start to the year for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Between the High Country Economic Kickoff luncheon, the start of Watauga Leadership Institute, and participation in the first Boone Next community convening, our team has been in the middle of some important conversations.

We also were excited to be a part of the community-wide launch of STABLE Workplaces earlier this week, a multi-agency project designed to bring Staff Training and Leadership Development for Evolving workplaces.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we bring some important details on each of these projects, as well as provide a deeper dive on the STABLE workplaces initiative, including comments from business leaders like Lisa Cooper, CEO of Mast General Store, Angus Lamond, General Manager of Cheotla Resort, and Michelle Bollman, General Manager of Stick Boy Bread Co.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

The 2024 High Country Economic Kickoff is in the books.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we feature the full remarks from Gary Salamido, President/CEO of the North Carolina Chamber. We also bring you the entirety of the 2024 High Country Economic Forecast from Dr. Harry Davis.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. It is presented in partnership with Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Tis the season for lists and goals...and lists of goals! The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce does not want to leave fans of the Mind Your Business Podcast disappointed, so we start a new season of our program with a list of the Top 5 storylines we are watching heading into 2024.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

The Watauga Leadership Institute serves as the community leadership development arm of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, participants enjoy a cohort-style program that helps them unlock leadership and fine tine leadership skills, while also helping them better understand the way the High Country community functions.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we hear from Duane Wade, Director of Operations at the Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone, and a Watauga Leadership Challenge graduate, about his experiences as a participant, and how his leadership style was impacted by the lessons he learned throughout the program.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by UNC Health Appalachian.