Small Town, Big Biz – Details, episodes & analysis

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 peaceful hideaway, as a place where people could recharge and make it the retreat that they needed. Jan is available to answer questions or provide assistance, but she also gives people lots of space and privacy to hopefully have them feel like it is their home away from home. Jan doesn't hide the fact that she has a strong faith and belief in prayer. Jan has had the privilege of guests asking for prayer or commenting that they found the perfect devotional or book to read, and they are welcome to take these with them. Jan truly loves meeting people, and try to help them make their vacation what they desire it to be With warmer weather, building a fire in the fire pit, making s'mores, playing in the river, or trying to catch the big one in the pond are things that Jan thinks make The Nesting Place Bed and Breakfast the place where lots of fun memories can be made.

Book a stay at The Nesting Place Bed and Breakfast! https://www.thenestingplacebedandbreakfast.com/

Follow The Nesting Place Bed and Breakfast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenestingplacebandb/

 

Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

 

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 specialize in made to order paninis, fresh salads, hearty soups [including the locally famous Roasted Red Pepper!] and house made desserts. They also offer event & corporate catering, special order desserts, gift certificates and local delivery! Everyone can find something they will love here! Rated #1 restaurant in West Jefferson on TripAdvisor. Mountain Times People's Choice Best of the Best Bakery 2020.

Check out Sweet and Savory on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057734760329

 

Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

 

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 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

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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! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

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

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@smalltownbigbiz
@jessicastansberry

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 property can choose from a 1 bedroom cabin, tiny house or converted school bus.

 

Learn more about Ridgetop Yoga Retreat or join their online studio on their Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/Ridgetop-Yoga-Retreat-Cabins-435695603603770

Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

 

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 time for the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office at Appalachian State University. She has Business Management and Marketing degrees from UNCW and has been in direct sales since 2011. She debated selling LuLaRoe for almost a year but after seeing the success from other retailers, she decided to take a big leap of faith and began selling in February 2016. She can honestly say it was the best decision she ever made! Lauren fell in love with the company because it is very unique in that distributors only carry limited quantities in each print, so if you see something you love, you better grab it because you may never see it again. She loves being a personal stylist for her customers and helping to lift them up and build their confidence with her clothing. Through this company, she has met some amazing women, made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and had the opportunity to earn trips and travel to places she never thought possible!

Check out Lauren's LuLaRoe Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/lularoelaurenstansberry

 

Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

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 on telling story through imagery and creating cohesive + strategic brands.

(Fun fact: Mary Beth used to work for Jessica before starting her own business.)

Check out Carolina Gypsy Co. https://carolinagypsyco.com

Follow Mary Beth on Instagram! https://instagram.com/carolinagypsyco

Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

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 founder and owner of Blue Ridge in a Box. Valerie began Blue Ridge in a Box in December of 2020 after seeing the destruction that the pandemic caused on small businesses and organizations—especially those in her community. She wanted to find a way to help support these small businesses, but also desperately needed an income for herself and her children. From these ashes, Blue Ridge in a Box was born. Although this adventure has just begun, it has been incredibly fulfilling for Valerie. She has a lot of ideas for the future of Blue Ridge in a Box and hopes to grow it into something amazing!

Follow Blue Ridge in A Box on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueridgeinabox/

Order a box for yourself or send a gift! https://blueridgeinabox.com/

 

Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry

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 2nd generation winemaker and winery manager. Married 25 years; father of two daughters. Voiceover artist wannabe / active community theatre thespian. Dog lover, avid reader, and teller of tale tales.   Local to the High Country of NC? Apply to be a guest! https://smalltownbigbiz.com   Try ClickUp for free today to level up your project management! https://heyjessica.com/tryclickup   Want to hear more from Jessica? Check out the Hey Jessica Podcast! https://heyjessica.com/podcast   Follow us on Instagram! @smalltownbigbiz @jessicastansberry