I did my Subject Matter Expert Interview with Molly Nicholie of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP). Molly is the Local Food Campaign Program Director.  ASAP is located out of Asheville, North Carolina. The reason I asked Molly if I could interview her is because I am very interested in the aspect of local foods and how to spread the word of the wonderful bounty of healthy foods we can get at farmer’s markets to the public. I enjoyed sitting down with Molly and talking with her. For more information please go to ASAP’s website – http://asapconnections.org  Enjoy!  Continue reading

Interview with Tom Sheppard of Sheppard’s Bear Den Antiques
I interviewed Tom Sheppard who owned Sheppard’s Bear Den Antiques in downtown Waynesville. I wanted to get a realistic perspective from someone who owned a small business in this area. Even though he owned a shop with good quality items, they were unable make end meet. He lost the business after 6 months of trying to sell it at the lowest possible rate. This is all due to the market in this area, because it is such a seasonal area it is hard to keep a business going through the winter months. What I have learned from Tom is that you need to create a business that is the something that will be able to sustain low income months. Something that everyone needs or wants. It definitely makes me feel more cautious and weary about starting my own business. That I would need to be prepared for such a setback. I hope you can learn something from my interview with Tom as well.

Interview Questions:
1. Tell me a little bit about how you started Sheppard’s Bear Den Antiques, sort of an overview?

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CockADoodleMoo Video

CockADoodleMoo is a food truck and catering business operated by Jolie and Doug Rollins. They opened their business in 2014 with the decision to “live fearlessly” and follow their dream. Doug has more than 20 years of experience as head chef at country clubs and Jolie has more than 20 years of business experience in the health care industry. Together, they are a dynamic duo that produce some of the best food you’ve ever tasted served with flair and extraordinary customer service.

I visited their truck this week after corresponding with Jolie by email for a couple of weeks. She was extremely generous with her time answering my questions about her business. After my visit, it is clear to me that this is a business that will be successful long after the food truck movement fades away. The food is all fresh and local whenever possible, so the menu adapts based on what is in season and available. The meat all comes from local farmers. It was absolutely delicious!

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