We recently connected with Judi Melton and have shared our conversation below.

Judi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The journey began in 2021 when I realized there was a lack of celebration and sharing for the incredible daily occurrences in Black Mountain. I would scour through 15 to 20+ Facebook pages, to look for things to do, hoping to catch up on the town’s happenings and ways to be involved in the community

However, most of the online buzz originated from Asheville, leading to calendars flooded with hundreds of events, but very few highlighting Black Mountain. As a resident, it was disheartening and simply unacceptable that our town’s voice was overshadowed by Asheville’s dominance. Pulling residents and visitors alike towards Asheville as the place to go.

I strongly believe that the narrative of Black Mountain should be voiced and shaped by our own community. So I started with a blog website, Instagram, and Facebook sharing as much as I could about what was happening, and eventually built a community calendar last year.

Judi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I believe in giving back and supporting community.

Our goal is simple: we’re here to celebrate Black Mountain and give a big shout-out to its awesome local businesses. We’re all about teaming up with our community to lift up those unique, family-owned spots that make this place special. Together, let’s showcase the true spirit of our town by supporting the folks who make it thrive

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Our community calendar and blog are powered by our curator. No big sponsors or fancy funding—just good old-fashioned donations from people who care about our community….and the best part? It’s all free for everyone! Whether you’re looking for the scoop on upcoming events or just wanna share a story, these gems are here for you, no strings attached.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building our audience on social media was all about collaboration over competition. We made it a point to celebrate and support other businesses in our community on our platforms. By sticking to our purpose and sharing content that resonated with our audience, we kept things authentic and engaging. Tagging other businesses and using relevant hashtags helped us expand our reach and connect with like-minded individuals. For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice is simple: stay true to your purpose. Don’t get distracted by irrelevant posts or trends that don’t align with your values. Instead, focus on building genuine connections and showcasing what makes your brand unique. And remember, collaboration is key—so don’t hesitate to shout out other businesses and join forces to create meaningful content together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.visitblackmountainnc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycarolinamountainlife/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mycarolinamountainlife/

Image Credits
Judi Melton, 1789 Land Company, Visit Black Mountain NC