107 w/ Wrong Way River Lodge and Cabins

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Episode 107 with Shelton Steele and Joe Balkin of Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins
 
In this episode, we talk with Shelton and Joe, the founders of Wrong Way Riverside Lodge and cabins. We get into everything from the brown liquor brainstorm that started it all and what technologies our mission critical to running a hospitality operation like theirs.
 
They do everything the “Wrong Way” emphasizing sustainability and community as foremost tenants of their business.
 
In this episode, we get into:
  • Urban Cabin Campgrounds
  • Voluntourism
  • Scappalachia
  • Green Building and Green Operating
  • Designing a sense of place, and
  • The long-term visions for the business
Give this episode a listen and then go visit their awesome lodge on Amboy Rd.
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106 – Preparing for Winter (in Business and Life)

In this episode, we talk about a theme that showed up during our last Monday Maker Mixer.

The episode focuses on the idea that there are winters both in life and in business. And that to survive a harsh winter, you need to have prepared for it.

We talk about some of the ways that small businesses can prepair for lean times. We talk about ways that small businesses can effectively and efficiently add “calories” to their business by building trap lines.

It’s a metaphor that you might need to hear to understand. Please give the episode a listen!

 

Hope you’ll join us at our next Monday Maker Mixer (11/07/2022 at the time of publishing)!

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104 – Virago Boudoir, Venture Asheville, Visuals Wine & Burial Beer

In this episode, we get an update from three past guests.
 
Sarah Hooker Photographer in Asheville
 
Jeff Kaplan
 
Burial Beer- Making It In Asheville
 
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103 – Three Updates From Past Guest

In this episode, we get an update from three past guests.
Nicole McConville Making It in Asheville Podcast

Photo by Nicole McConville (www.nicolemcconville.com)

Nicole McConnville
https://makingitinasheville.com/episode/045-nicole-mcconville/
 
Zach Eidson at Metro Wines
Zach Eidson
https://makingitinasheville.com/episode/024-zach-eidson-from-metro-wines
 
Alyssa Philips of Amp'd Designs
Alyssa Phillips
https://makingitinasheville.com/episode/028-alyssa-phillips-ampd-designs/
 
More to come from https://makingitinasheville.com/
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101 – QB Cucina – Selling Pasta Tools with Sarah Ubertaccio

In this episode, we interview Sarah Ubertaccio — co-founder of Making It In Asheville — about her new business QB Cucina. Sarah is a life-long Italy enthusiast with a special love for Italian food culture. When the pandemic hit, she dove into past making and quickly realized there was an itch she needed to scratch. Now, she runs the internet’s defacto home for all things pasta tools and Italian (or Italy-inspired) kitchen wares.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How, why, and when QB Cucina came to life
  • What lessons Sarah had to learn to start a product business (after years of marketing and service work)
  • What tactics and strategies have worked and not worked so far in her business
  • And what platform is ideal for a new product business

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Ashton Zager of Ashton Zager Fiber Arts

Show Notes

About Sarah Ubertaccio

Sarah was born in Atlanta, GA, and got her BA and MBA in Providence, RI. After school, she moved to Italy for 5-years, taught English, and lived the dolce vita. Since returning to the USA in 2017, she’s worked at Eataly in New York, founded Making It Creative (which powers this podcast).

About QB Cucina: From their Website

“q.b. cucina, is a gathering place for Italian food lovers and home cooks across the world. Our dream here at q.b. cucina is to bring you delicious Italian food content (recipes, guides, tips) as well as a curated collection of beautiful, hard-to-find Italian kitchen tools and accessories. Every day, we’re working on creating new and exciting content and sourcing the best Italian-made and Italy-inspired kitchenwares from incredibly talented artisans and producers.”

To learn more about QB Cucina, check out the links below:

 

People

  • Gille Roberts – helped Sarah get started buying and selling products online.
  • Garnet Fisher – helped Sarah design the QB Cucina website
  • Jeff Kaplan – was a resource for helping QB Cucina get connected to local business accelerators

Platforms

  • Shopify
  • WordPress

Music by Commonwealth Choir

 

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100 – Where we’ve been, where we’re going, and what to expect

In this episode, we reset and answer these questions:

  • Where have we been?!
  • What’s Sarah up to?
  • What’s next for the podcast?
  • What’s next for the community?

 

Episode Notes:

We had a son! That’s right, we made him in Asheville. His name is Nico and he’s a happy and healthy baby.

Sarah’s primary focus is now QB Cucina.

  • QB Cucina Website
  • QB Cucina Instagram

We’re still working with select clients via our agency, Making It Creative.

We’re looking to use our platform to share more good news and great work in the community. Click here to learn about how to send us a 1-minute voice memo.

More projects are coming down the pike, so if you’re not yet, please subscribe to our email list. That’s where we’ll be share the most information.

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099 – The Podcast Is Back!

Quick announcement episode!

  • The podcast is back
  • There have been a lot of changes at Making It In Asheville HQ
  • We make a request for Voice Memos from the community
We make an open call to non-profit and non-commercial organizations in Asheville. If you’d like to share a 1-minute sound bite about the work that you’re doing in Asheville, please visit this page to learn how to send us a voice memo.
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098- Logan Hall of Logarhythm Creative

In this episode, we interview graphic illustrator, brand developer, and bassist, Logan Hall.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How Logan’s creative outlets overlap between design and music
  • How the nature of Logan’s work is always allowing him to learn something new
  • The collaborative effort of musicians and artists in general
  • The development and exciting future for Pink Beds music
  • How Pinterest still stands strong

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with local Graphic Designer, Alyssa Phillips.

Show Notes

About Logan Hall

Logan Hall is a Designer and Illustrator who operates under Logarhythm Creative. Logan is a native of Western NC and graduated from Appalachian State University for Graphic Design. He moved to Asheville around 2.5 years ago and began freelancing full-time at the beginning of 2020. Before this deep dive into the abyss, he worked at agencies in and around Colorado and also led in-house design for a global family of cannabis brands. Logan’s work focuses on Brand Identity, Graphic Design, and Illustration. He loves working with like-minded brands, businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians, and politicians.

Oh, what is a Logarhythm? Other than a misspelled button on a calculator, it began as an Instagram handle for a young music-playing ‘Log’ where he typically played bass in the ‘rhythm’ section. Logan has played guitar and bass in bands since he was a kid and is a huge music fan
(snob)! He now plays in an Asheville band called Pink Beds with some long-time friends.

 

To learn more about Logan’s work in graphic design and music check out the following links:

Logarhythm Creative Website

Logarhythm IG

Pink Beds Website

Pink Beds IG

People

Announcement for Pink Beds

  • There is a new single coming out on June 25th! Find them on your favorite music streaming app.

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

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097 – Chemist Spirits owner Debbie Word

In this episode, we interview Debbie Word, the owner of Chemist Spirits in Asheville, NC.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • What makes moonshine so aggressive and why great spirits taste good.
  • The serendipity that led to the Chemist’s distillery and Antidote bar’s incredible location on the south slope in Asheville
  • The difficulty in finding investors and funding and how that’s actually been an asset to the business
  • What’s next for Chemist Spirits (psst… lots of growth and new spirits)

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Tim Gormley of Burial Beer or Leah Wong Ashburn of Highland Brewing.

Show Notes

About Debbie Word

Debbie has a history of jumping in with both feet. Before she began moonshining with a small home still, she had a career in landscape architecture. Since founding Chemisit Spirits in 2016, she has been a full-time problem solver. In this conversation, we talk about the history and future of Chemist Spirits.

About Chemist Spirits

Founded by Debbie Word, Chemist Gin was born from a small family still and many hours of moonshining with her daughter Danielle, an actual Chemist. Their unique appreciation for classic distilling and modern science led to the creation of their first spirit – a beautiful gin made with American botanicals and distilled wheat spirit. This female-led distillery strikes a perfect balance between the traditional craft and the modern American spirits movement.

To learn more about Chemist Spirits, check out the links below:

The Chemist Spirits Website

The Chemist Spirits Instagram

 

 

 

Music by Commonwealth Choir

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096 – Cameron Farlow of Organic Growers School

In this episode, we interview Cameron Farlow of Organic Growers School.  Cameron started with OGS in 2012 and after providing service in a variety of roles has moved to Executive Director. She is a proponent of lateral leadership within their organization and shares what it looks like to reframe and work towards providing education and tools within agriculture as a whole. Food is the great connector, friends.

Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

  • How OGS and agriculture as a whole is working away from commercial and capitalist definitions to include a wider view of people including Indigenous cultures and communities
  • How Cameron is creating a supportive structure and organizational culture that supports life in and outside of work
  • The long history of racism within farming and the steps OGS is taking for racial equity and social justice
  • The romanticized vision of farming and the loving (but necessary) bubble bursting that comes with education

Enjoyed this interview? We think you might also dig this episode with Luke McLaughlin of Holistic Survival School.

Show Notes

About Cameron Farlow

Hailing from Greensboro, NC with dairy farming in her blood, she has made her home in WNC, and has been with OGS since 2012. With a Master’s Degree in Appalachian Studies & Sustainable Development, Cameron also brings experience in the realms of farmland conservation, food security, farm to university, and land access for farmers. Outside of OGS, Cameron is a mother, dancer, baker, gardener, and avid explorer.

About Organic Growers School: From the Website

“Organic Growers School provides year-round opportunities for farmers and home-growers of all levels. Whether your interest is in farming, gardening, homesteading, healthy food, or organic community, our classes, workshops, and services will inspire you, build your confidence, and support you in creating your sustainable life.”

To learn more about OGS, sign up for classes, donate, and more, check out the links below:

Organic Growers School Website

OGS Instagram

OGS Youtube Channel

People

  • Lee Warren was the previous director of OGS and set a great foundation to move toward lateral hierarchy within the organization
  • Dianna McCall is a great teacher and gardener in Black Mountain that Cameron mentions in this episode
  • Frances Hesselbein is a renowned leader that Tony mentions who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America’s highest civilian honor,  in 1998 for her leadership as CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

Books

Music by Commonwealth Choir

Photograph by Julie Douglas

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