“Everything I need to know I learned as a bartender…and all I did was listen.”
-Zach Eidson
In this episode, we interview Zach Eidson, the General Manager of Metro Wines.
Zach and his family moved to Asheville in early 2019 from Cincinnati. He came to Metro Wines with years of experience under his belt of owning and managing a small wine shop in Cincinnati.
During our conversation, we go deep into what it takes to successfully run a wine shop and how it’s different from other businesses. We discuss Zach’s unique and thoughtful customer service approach, including the kinds of questions he asks to help people find the right wine.
Here’s What You’ll Learn
Why Zach decided to move to Asheville and how he became the General Manager of Metro Wines
Zach’s tell us about his previous experience of managing and eventually owning, a wine store in Cincinnati, Ohio
His approach to helping people buy the right wines, including the types of questions he asks customers; customer service in a wine shop
Zach’s favorite things to do in Asheville
Show Notes
Metro Wines is a small wine boutique located in Asheville’s Charlotte street neighborhood. They carry wines from all around the world, offer wine box subscriptions, and educational events. Learn more on the Metro Wines Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
Business Books mentioned in this episode *Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you purchase something after clicking on these links, we receive a small commission. We appreciate your support! The Thank You Economy The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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“It’s really beautiful to allow people to step outside of their day-to-day hustle to take time to slow down, recognize beauty all around them and connect with their bodies and breath.” – Sue Ann Fisher
In this podcast episode, we sit down and chat with the two lovely ladies behind Asheville Wellness Tours: Sue Ann Fisher and Nicole Will.
Several years ago, the former owner of Asheville Wellness Tours approached Nicole to see if she wanted to take over the experience. Having a background in Outdoor Wildnerness Therapy and love for wellness, Nicole jumped at the opportunity.
But she knew she couldn’t do alone. That’s where yogi, Sue Ann Fisher, came into play. Together, the two of them have developed an incredible wellness tour experience here in Asheville. They collaborate with many wellness professionals throughout Asheville, incorporating yoga, outdoors, essential oils, massage, and more into their offerings.
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
How Asheville Wellness Tours got its start and how the company’s offerings have evolved since then
Why we loved the Yoga Hike and how it’s different from a traditional yoga class
Nicole tells us more about Wildnerness Therapy and how it works
We talk briefly on the history of wellness in Asheville
Sue Ann and Nicole also share with us some of their favorite wellness spots in town
Key business decisions Sue Ann and Nicole made while building their business, including profit strategy, partnership outreach, and marketing efforts, plus the lessons learned from them
Sue Ann and Nicole share some details on their own wellness practices
Sue Ann and Nicole give us the inside scoop on some of their favorite places to hang out at in Asheville
Show Notes
Asheville Wellness Tours curates experiences, custom itineraries, and adventures with a wellness twist. Think: Yoga Hikes, Group Tarot Card Readings, Mobile Massages, and Downtown Walking Tours (with yoga in between stops). Connect with them on their website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Some of the business resources mentioned during this episode include the Asheville CVB (Convention and Visitor Bureau) and Mountain Biz Works classes. Sue Ann and Nicole also mentioned that they are currently working on re-doing their website with a local company called Yonderday.
Sue Ann’s daily wellness routine includes an hour-long sitting meditation, Vijana Yoga and Pranayama Breathing.
Nicole’s wellness practice includes eating chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven, drinking Malbec red wine, along with attending a silent meditation retreat and the Grove Park Inn Spa at least twice a year. She also enjoys walking along the Mountain to Sea trail near her home.
Sue Ann and Nicoles’ Favorite Place to Go in Asheville
Zambra – “Farm-to-table tapas, definitely get the gnocchi while you’re there.”
Red Ginger– “Let the server guide your ordering experience.”
Asheville Salt Cave – “An enriched microclimate, all you have to do is relax. It’s filled with pink Himalayan salt. It’s kind of like sitting next to the ocean.”
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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“We have those conversations a lot about reminding newer baristas who are being really precious with their craft that they don’t know that person’s story. And so let’s find a way to perhaps dialogue about how [we] can meet [their] needs.”
-Emily Peele
In this podcast episode, we interview Emily Peele, Brand Director of High Five Coffee.
When Emily first moved to Asheville, she started working as a barista at High Five Coffee. Since then, she has worked her way up in the industry, becoming High Five’s brand director and partnering closely with the founder, Jay Weatherly, to maintain and develop their brand identity.
Here’s What You’ll Learn
How and why Emily moved to Asheville and started working in the coffee industry
Emily shares insight on what it’s like to work in the food and beverage industry
A behind-the-scenes story of High Five Coffee’s history in Asheville (like where the name came from), plus how they’ve grown and are constantly improving the quality of their service
High Five Coffee is one of Asheville’s most beloved coffee shops, offering craft coffee and espresso drinks. They have three different locations in Asheville and in Woodfin. Connect with them on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
The Dripolator in Black Mountain is the coffee shop chain where High Five first got its start.
Atlas Branding is the company that High Five Coffee used for their branding and design.
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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“I’m a Ferrari-in-a-bathroom-doing-donuts-kind-of-person,”
– Jack Roche
And that he is. Jack is truly a Renaissance man, constantly involved in multiple projects and businesses, always in pursuit of learning the next thing.
This conversation was a thrill-ride. Jack, as the owner and founder of Old North, has built a business that is both fulfilling and allows him to constantly pursue new curiosities — like sailing from the Caribbean to Maine or living in the jungles of the Amazon.
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
Old North’s origin story as a retail store in Asheville (it opened at the worst possible time)
The importance of pivoting early and often when you’re a new business
The logic of understanding and diversifying your risk as an entrepreneur
Why positive reinforcement is so important in entrepreneurship How critically important resilience is — especially in a seasonal business
Jack’s thoughts on working in the clothing industry, why he loves it and why he hates it
Lessons on buying products for a retail shop (larry vs nick), including the differences between creating your own private label vs. carrying other brands
Jack’s shares some thoughts on his marketing and brand strategy We talk about men’s fashion, women’s fashion and what it means to communicate with your clothes
What to do if you don’t know where to begin with improving your personal style
Jack shares his perspective on the community in Asheville and his favorite restaurants/bars in town
Show Notes
Old North is a boutique clothing store specializing in exceptional quality from American, Japanese, and European manufacturers. Think: timeless tees, casual cargoes, and durable denim made for the effortless stylists. You can connect with them on their website and on Instagram
Books and concepts mentioned during this episode: During the episode, we talked about a couple of concepts from noteworthy books. One was the idea of building a muse business as referenced in the 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. The other was accessing a state of “flow” as discussed in depth in the book Flow: The Psychology of the Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
Jack’s Favorite Restaurants & Bars in Asheville:
Bull & Beggar – “Consistently the best restaurant experience I’ve ever had in my life.”
Crucible – “I don’t drink beer — it smells like farts, so this is my favorite bar.”
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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“I think trusting that your customer can handle the truth and treating them like a human you might see in the street really goes a long way.”
– Connie Matisse
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
The behind-the-scenes story of how East Fork got its start
Connie explains how East Fork grew from a small pottery company to a national brand and shares some of the growing pains they experienced along the way
Advice for deciding whether or not you should go into business with your friends and loved ones and how to maintain a balanced relationship once you do
The unique customer service and care approach that East Fork follows
East Fork’s strategy for creating engaging Instagram and newsletter content in order to nurture and gently guide their customers
How to know if you should turn your craft into a business
The three East Fork products Connie recommends for first-time buyers
Connie’s perspective on the city of Asheville and how it’s changed over the years
Connie’s favorite spots in Asheville
Exciting initiatives coming up in the future for East Fork
Show Notes
About East Fork East Fork Pottery makes beautiful ceramic dinnerware and pottery using materials from the local Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded in 2009 by Alex Matisse, Connie Matisse, and John Vigeland, the company has grown quickly from a small group of friends and artists who had a good “hunch” and creative sense of style to a full-blown, nationally-recognized ceramic business with multiple product lines, an ever-growing need for warehouse and factory space, and an executive team. Despite its growth, East Fork has strived to remain true to its mission: create beautiful, durable, and timeless ceramics in the U.S. following sustainable and ethical practices.
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
Making It In Asheville – Mission Statement Our Mission is to build a community of Asheville Entrepreneurs, Artists, and Creatives — which we call makers — by sharing honest stories and revealing meaningful insights. We work to provide this community with practical resources for both personal and business development.
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
https://makingitinasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/makingit-78-e1562067825351.jpg17092560MIIA Teamhttps://makingitinasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Making-it-in-Asheville-Podcast-Logo-Horizontal-Light-Text-1.pngMIIA Team2019-09-03 02:14:152020-08-29 14:12:09019 – Welcome to Season 2 + What to Expect This Season
If there’s one theme we can highlight from our first 10 interviews with Asheville locals, it’s this: just start.
Although we’re publishing this podcast episode at the end of the season, this is actually a fantastic introductory episode if you’re new to the Making It in Asheville podcast! You’ll get to hear a little bit from each of our interviewees this season, and, if you like what you hear, we encourage you to go back and listen to the full episode with them.
Here’s What You’ll Learn
Get an overview of who we interviewed this season and what they’re all about.
Discover the many different ways our interviewees have gotten started —and grown —in their industry and career.
Why driving a car in the fog is a good metaphor for starting a business.
Hear some actionable advice based on the experiences of our guests.
Learn why getting started now is better than getting started later.
We hope this episode inspires you to start working on your next big project as much as it did for us!
Show Notes
We shared sound bites from the following podcast interviews:
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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Creating a loyal relationship with your audience is no easy task. It takes time, nurturing, and a lot of effort. Still, we believe the long-term benefits are worthwhile and will eventually lead to increased authority and revenue for your business.
We’ve talked a lot about The Trusted Advisor Theory here at Making It in Asheville. It’s a theme that has come up a lot throughout the Season 1 podcast interviews with local Asheville makers. We figured it was about time to explicitly talk about it on the podcast! So that’s what this episode is all about.
What the “Trusted Advisor Theory” is and why we believe it’s crucial to a business’s long-term success
Why today’s sales should not be your end goal
How you can practice being a trusted advisor without paying a cent
The seven ways you can build trust with your customers or potential customers (we call them “The Seven Truths of Trust Building” and how each one is available for you to test today
We hope you enjoy this episode!
Show Notes
This podcast is an audio complement of a blog post we shared a few weeks ago. You can read the full post here: The Trusted Advisor Theory.
During the episode, we referenced Episode 004 with Gillie Roberts, owner of Ware, when talking about why sales aren’t always the end goal.
We also talk about Michelle Baker, a friend of ours who has built a deeply loyal following on Instagram because she consistently shares what she loves.
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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In each of our podcast interviews, we asked our guests the same question: “Where do you take friends when they visit you in Asheville?”
In this episode, we share the most recommended places, plus why we (and our podcast interviewees) love them and our tips for visiting.
Here’s What You’ll Learn
The best places to get food in town (and our ordering recommendations)
The best places to grab a drink — based on what you’re into
Where to hike and what to consider before you leave
And why two corny, tourist traps are actually worth it in Asheville
Show Notes
The Making It in Asheville Google Map
Access our custom Google Map! We’ve marked all of the places that have been recommended guests on our podcast (and more!).
On each marked place, we include the run down and an insider tip for visiting. We’ll be updating this map as we record more interviews and get more recommendations from our podcast guests.
The cool thing about this map is that you can share it with friends visiting town and not have to worry about putting together a list of recommendations.
During this episode, we talked about the most recommended eats, breweries & bars, hikes, and activities in Asheville. Below is a list of all the places we mentioned, plus why we love ’em and tips for visiting.
This is THE NUMBER ONE (!) most recommended place from our podcast guests in all of the history of the Making It in Asheville podcast.
Why We Love It: For its small, yet highly curated menu, rustic and cool vibes, and off-the-beaten-path location
Tips for Visiting: 1. Try their burger night on Mondays! Their burger is our favorite in town so far both for its quality of meat and kick-ass condiments and their fries are truly addictive. Mondays are the only night you can get ’em. 2. Two of our podcast guests recommended getting a group of friends together and ordering their seafood tower. 3. No matter when you go, make a reservation. This place is always packed.
Why We Love It: Their tacos are authentic, simply delicious, and so reasonably priced. We love going to their Food Truck at Zillicoah
Tip for Visiting: Be adventurous and try their beef tongue and beef cheek tacos. They’re our favorite! Also, they have a vegetarian mushroom taco option that’s not on the menu.
Why We Love It: It has an awesome outdoor space with picnic tables, a huge field of grass, and a view overlooking the French Broad.
Tip for Visiting: 1. Bring your own blankets and chairs as sometimes the lawn seating fills up. Also, bring a ball or a frisbee as there is a TON of space for activities. 2. Order the tacos from Taqueria Muñoz food truck. 3. Check out their farmer’s market schedule (select Fridays).
Why We Love It: It has that small, classic, and charming old-timey bar atmosphere and their cocktails are truly top-notch.
Tip for Visiting: Order off the late-night menu if you can. Their burger and patatas bravas are exceptional! Also, they’ve recently opened up for breakfast giving us all a perfect excuse to spend our entire day there.
Why We Love It: It’s a short, relatively easy hike but you get a 360-degree view of the mountains!
Tip for Visiting: 1. Wear pants to protect your legs as there is a lot of overgrowth and brush on some of the paths. 2. Bring a jacket as it can get quite chilly at the top. 3. Wear sunscreen as there is zero coverage!
2. Craggy Gardens
Why We Love It: The views are incredible and it’s only about a 20-minute drive from downtown.
Tip for Visiting: Check the weather forecast for clouds and rain and bring extra layers and/or a blanket as the temperature drops once you get to the top.
3. Anywhere in the Pisgah National Forest + The Hub
Why We Love It: There are so many great hikes and waterfalls to explore in this forest.
Tip for Visiting: No matter what hike you choose, visit The Hub on you’re way out to refuel. It’s an outdoor gear store with a beer bar. There’s also a coffee truck and a food truck parked outside at all times.
Why We Love It: It’s the largest home in American with 16 chimneys, 65 fireplaces, 45 bathrooms, 33 guest rooms, over 250 total rooms – all on 8,000 acres of land. The place is bonkers.
Tip for Visiting: Always ask questions, like “What’s the coolest thing about this room?” to the Biltmore guides within the home. They are extremely knowledgable and you can get a ton of interesting factoids out of them without paying for a full-blown tour.
Why We Love It: Not only will you laugh your pants off on their bus tours, but you’ll also learn a ton about Asheville’s history.
Tip for Visiting: If you’re going on a bus tour, buy a few beers to bring on the bus. They have a bar at the pick-up point where you can pick up a few brewskies. If you’re going to a stand-up comedy show, we suggest picking up some burritos at Mamacita’s across the street and then pair it with a drink from LaZoom. It’s probably our favorite “dinner and a show” activity in Asheville!
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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After publishing 14 episodes and 10 podcast interviews, we’re wrapping this season up with just the two of us.
We wanted to take a moment to celebrate our three-month milestone of both living and working in Asheville by sharing some insights on how we’ve been measuring success in our new business. Or, if you’ll indulge us, how we’ve been making itin Asheville.
Here’s What You’ll Learn:
Why it’s crucial to measure success, no matter what size or stage your business is in
The three ways we’re tracking for success in our own (and 3-month old) business
Measuring what’s in your control vs. outside of your control (and which one you should pay most attention to)
How to go about building the right kind of relationships that will eventually lead to more sales
Why delivering on your promise is one of the best and “low-hanging fruit” ways to maintain clients and gain new ones
Show Notes
A few important quotes that Tony paraphrased:
“You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” —Peter Drucker
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” —Dale Carnegie
Peter Drucker and Dale Carnegie are two great business thinkers and writers. While we didn’t mention them in the episode, we highly suggest checking out these books:
During this episode, we also referenced an Asheville-based photographer, Sarah Hooker, who we worked with to create personal and business branding photos. If you’d like to learn more about her business, check out our podcast interview with her: Episode 008 – Sarah Hooker Photography
Making It in Asheville is a podcast where we go behind the scenes with artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in Asheville. We learn about what they’re making and how they’re making it in Asheville.
Making It in Asheville is powered by Making It Creative, our boutique marketing and business consulting agency. We help passionate small business owners build and improve their sales and communication strategies. Learn more here.
We appreciate your support!
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, like, review, and/or share. Each review means than you might think as they help this episode get discovered on podcast players.
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