Do you have a listing on Airbnb but aren't sure how to make your AirBnb listing stand out and attract the right customers? Jessica talked to Jan Hershner, owner of The Nesting Place Bed and Breakfast, about how to attract customers on AirBnb, even when there are tons of other listings! Jan created The Nesting Place Bed and Breakfast almost 3 years ago, with a desire to have a peaceful mountain retreat for people to escape. In the hustle and bustle of busy lives, Jan wanted to share our...

When your restaurant is at capacity with customers but you're looking to grow, how can you increase customer value and get customers to spend more money in your restaurant? Jessica sat down with local deli and bakery owner Tiffany Shatley Richardson to talk about getting creative to increase how much a customer spends in a restaurant! Sweet and Savory opened its doors in downtown West Jefferson in August of 2008. It is owned & operated by three local sisters and their amazing momma. They...

You have a business that you're passionate about and want to share that passion with the entire world... but how do you make money to put food on the table and still stay true to your mission? Jessica sat down with Frank Williams from Ridgetop Yoga Retreat in West Jefferson to talk about the joys and business of yoga!   Ridgetop Yoga Retreat is a small Yoga studio / retreat in West Jefferson. They have a regular schedule of classes for locals and tourists. Over night guests who stay on the...

Are you in an MLM and wondering how to have a successful MLM business? This podcast is the one for you to learn the REAL secret to having a successful MLM business (no matter what you're selling). Jessica sat down with Lauren Stansberry, who's been selling LuLaRoe since 2016 in addition to her full-time job, to talk about HOW to maintain success in an MLM Business. Lauren was born and raised in Boone, NC, has been married to her wonderful husband for almost 3 years and currently works full...

Charging your worth as a photographer can be tough, especially when potential clients don't understand WHY your services cost what they do. Jessica sat down with Mary Beth Barlow, from Carolina Gypsy Co. photography, to talk about how to confidently charge your worth as a photographer! Mary Beth Barlow is a photographer + designer located in Ashe County, North Carolina. She is a daughter of Appalachia inspired by the beauty of the mountains around her and the cowboy way of life. She focuses...

Should I spend more time networking or posting on social media? Why does social media feel like a full-time job? This week, Jessica's talking to Valerie Mailman of Blue Ridge in A Box, a subscription (or one-off!) box featuring a curated collection of gifts from the High Country, to talk about how to figure out if you should spend your time on boots-to-the-ground marketing or social media marketing. Spoiler alert: Your ideal client might just determine that for you!   Valerie Mailman is the...

Looking to branch out your customer base? Learn how to use Facebook ads to reach new customers and how to partner with AirBNB and VRBO hosts to put your business on the map. Jessica sat down with Brant Burgiss to talk about making his business a destination for visitors!   Learn more about Thistle Meadow Winery on their website: https://thistlemeadowwinery.com   Visit them on their Facebook page: https://facebook.com/thistlemeadowwinery   Brant is a zoologist, Navy veteran, and a...

Facebook strategy for business doesn't have to be complicated! Jessica and Lauren Brown of A Designer's Touch by Lauren are discussing the basics of Facebook strategy. If you're starting a business page anytime soon, this episode has a ton of tips for you!   Lauren is a multi-award-winning, full service interior designer serving the High Country. Her Design Studio is located in downtown Historic West Jefferson. Lauren's services include: Concept to Completion New Build, Premier Kitchen...

Wondering how to be authentic on social media while still having content scheduled out ahead of time? Today, Jessica's chatting with Becca Nenow all about how to show up authentically for your brand and business. Becca grew up in Boone and then studied art and psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill before returning to home to Boone and starting Resupply, her business focused on sustainability education and reducing consumer waste. Learn more about ReSupply on their website:...

Looking to expand your customers beyond your local area as a small business? Jessica sat down with Meghann Roberts-Clawson of Triple Peaks Hemp to talk about how to broaden your customer base (and how you can use Reels to do it)!   Triple Peaks is a small part of a century old family farm here in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains! They are a husband and wife farming duo raising our locally sourced hemp plants and turning them into all hand made products. They specialize in tinctures,...

Looking for ideas on how to make your employees excited to work, or how to make your employees care about work more? Kaitlin Carpenter is here to talk about cultivating a team among your employees as a small business. Your employees can make or break your business, and building an atmosphere where they feel valued is key! Learn more about Third Day Market on their Instagram: https://instagram.com/thirddaymarket/ OR shop their website at https://thirddaymarket.com/ Local to the High Country...

Wondering how to attract Instagram followers to your page, and then how to make sure those followers purchase from you? Today, I'm sitting down with Ashly Burr of The Burr Nest, a husband-and-wife duo who create artwork and handmade goods that bring old world simplicity into the modern home.   Learn more about Ashly and The Burr Nest, and learn how to purchase artwork, on their instagram! https://instagram.com/theburrnest   Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest!...

WELCOME to the Small Town, Big Biz podcast! Jessica's sitting down with business owners in her hometown in the High Country of North Carolina to dive into business and marketing strategy. Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry