Business News

Terrace Hotel wins Tripadvisor Award

The Terrace hotel at Lake Junaluska has been recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award winner. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveler feedback, placing them in the top 10 percent of hospitality businesses worldwide.

“We are honored to receive a Travelers’ Choice Award,” said Ken Howle, executive director of Lake Junaluska. “We pride ourselves in being hospitality leadThe Terrace hotel at Lake Junaluska. ers and exceedLake Junaluska photo ing guests’ expectations every day at our scenic lakeside location.”

The 2020 Travelers’ Choice award marks the fifth award Tripadvisor has bestowed on The Terrace in recognition of excellence since 2016.

New preschool

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador team recently held a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 27 for Tiny Toes Learning Center.

Located at 60 West Sylva Shopping Center (beside Harold’s Supermarket), Tiny Toes is a preschool for children 3 to 6 years old. The center is committed to teaching children the skills they need to enter kindergarten and be successful. It is state accredited with a state approved curriculum. Subsidies are accepted. For more information, call 828.631.9545.

WCU named to Forbes’ list

Western Carolina University was recently named to Forbes’ second annual ranking of America’s “Best-In-State Employer.”

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to pinpoint those organizations liked best by employees. The list is divided into 51 rankings — one for each state, plus the District of Columbia. Out of top 100 organizations to make the North Carolina list, WCU ranked No. 66.

“This is tremendous recognition for Western Carolina University and is a testament to the hard-working, dedicated faculty and staff who make WCU such a special place,” said Cory Causby, WCU’s associate vice chancellor of human resources.

The respondents were asked to rate their employers on a variety of criteria, including safety of work environment, competitiveness of compensation, opportunities for advancement and openness to telecommuting. Statista then asked respondents how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own.

Health business launches in Franklin

Above and Beyond Nutrition recently opened a new location in Franklin at 217 Highlands Road in Franklin.

The store offers herbal tea, high quality protein shakes and homemade protein waffles. Dance fitness classes are offered at 6 p.m. The cost is $7 with tea and a shake included.

For more information, contact Jazmin at 402.885.5531.

Fine Things open in Sylva

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Fine Things Furniture.

The store carries new furniture for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. It also has rustic furniture and wood rocking chairs. Catalog orders can be taken as well. Fine Things is located at 259 West Main Street in Sylva, just behind Speedy’s, beside Creekside Oyster House. For more information, call 828.631.0795.

WCU offers online two-day certificate

Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a live two-day online Effective Organizational Change Management Certificate, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Monday, Oct. 26.

Todd Creasy, director of accounting, finance, information systems and business law, in WCU’s College of Business and Betty Farmer, professor of communication at WCU and communications consultant, will serve as workshops instructors.

This two-day workshop will include a big picture view of change management on the first day with proven pathways, ideas and tips to make your change effort successful. On day two, the training will focus on change communication including the importance of communicating a compelling vision, understanding employee perspectives and developing messages that are tailored both to the audience and the situation.

Registration fee for the program is $549. For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu and click on “Certificate Programs” or call 828.227.7397.

Franklin welcomes fitness center

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting celebration recently for Gwynn Lindler Fitness.

Gwynn Lindler takes personalized fitness training to women age 55 and above — both in-home and online. “Your lifestyle, activities, and interests are the foundation for developing a fitness plan that enhances you and improves your life,” said Lindler.

Call Gwynn for a consultation at 704.236.1319 or email at gwynnlindlerfitness@gmail.com.

WCU offers digital marketing certificate

Western Carolina University’s Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment will be offering a live online Digital Marketing & Public Relations Certificate program from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays starting Sept. 18 through Nov. 6.

Over the course of the program, participants will create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals.

Participants will learn the new rules of marketing and public relations and explore the advantages of digital communications and gain new insights into public relations and marketing strategy, branding, online content creation, video creation and use, social media and how to effectively track marketing and public relations results.

Registration fee for the full program is $640, individual workshops are $119 each.

For more information and to register, visit pdp.wcu.edu or email Jill Thompson, WCU’s associate director of professional development at jcthompson@wcu.edu.

New outdoors business in Haywood

outdoors, family, and fun in this amazing playground they call home.

The Campers invite you to visit their online store at www.thehappycampersigns.com. The Happy Campers will also happily design custom signs for your business at wholesale prices.

The Kaspers have been Haywood County residents since 2009.

Shelnutt promoted to real estate manager

United Community Bank recently announced the promotion of Lisa Shelnutt to Commercial Real Estate Division Manager.

In this expanded role, Shelnutt will manage all commercial real state efforts throughout the bank’s five-state footprint, partnering with local markets to ensure clients receive quality solutions that meet their needs.

“Lisa’s leadership and success has been, and continues to be, a key driver of growth for United Community Bank and our clients,” said Dixon Woodward, State President of South Carolina and Coastal Georgia and the bank’s Commercial Real Estate Executive. “Her experience, credit skill and relationship-oriented approach make her the ideal banker to lead our CRE team.”

Shelnutt joined United in 2012. She holds nearly 30 years of experience in commercial real estate Lending, having been involved in over $2 billion worth of real estate loans throughout her career. Her background also includes a variety of relationship management and credit approval roles for TD Bank, Carolina First Bank and the former Wachovia Bank and First Union Bank.

Habitat helps Macon businesses

The Macon County Habitat for Humanity came to the aid of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, a local nonprofit business, recently by building awnings for their two rear entrances.

Habitat is instrumental in helping many nonprofits and homeowners with needs. The Chamber wishes to publicly thank them for their kind service.

Business owners expand in Waynesville

J Gabriel opened an additional location in Downtown Waynesville in August.

The downtown shop will open the backdoors to a new store called J Gabriel Embroidery. Customers will be able to enter through Main Street or Wall Street. The parking lot has been updated with new gravel and paint on the Wall Street entrance.

If any customer buys from any vendor downtown and wants that item embroidered or monogrammed, bring in your receipt and get 10 percent off.

All downtown vendors will get 15 percent off their own personal items.

The shop will soon be able to do stickers and shirt printing as well.