Get Your Business Featured
Listings are 100% free and invitation-only. Tell us about your business — or suggest a local favorite — and we'll be in touch.
Recently featured
Pell's Angels : Painting and Remodeling
Meet Fred Pell
Read the spotlight
A Story Worth Sharing
A professionally written feature about you and your business, published on its own page.
Local Promotion on Us
We post your spotlight on Facebook and pay to put it in front of people around your service area.
Something You Can Keep Using
Share your spotlight on your website, social media, emails, proposals, and anywhere people are deciding whether to hire you.
A local business.
A story worth telling.
Our spotlight on Pell's Angels : Painting and Remodeling goes beyond a list of services. It introduces Fred Pell, his 50 years of experience and the artistic background he brings to painting, restoration and remodeling across the High Country.
Read Fred's StoryYour business has its own story. We'd like to hear it.
From Interview to Finished Spotlight
Apply
Tell us about your business and what makes it different.
Meet With Us
We'll spend about 45 minutes talking about your story and why you started your business.
We Write Your Spotlight
You get a feature story that lets people know why you're the one to call.
We Promote It
We publish your story, then pay to put it in the Facebook feeds of people near you.
Why is it free?
Great local businesses make the High Country what it is. Our guide helps people find them. Listings are 100% free and invitation-only: we talk with owners and verify their details so the directory stays useful, personal and rooted in the community. Applying starts a conversation; it doesn't guarantee a listing. We've been providing marketing services for over 20 years. These free spotlights are how we support local businesses, and a few of the founders we feature end up hiring us. Most of the time we just write your spotlight, promote it, and that's it. If we see a clear way to grow your revenue further, we'll mention it. Maybe you'll hire us. If not, that's fine. Your spotlight runs either way.
Julia Malone
Founder, High Country Insider
"Big companies can buy attention, but local business owners have to earn it. So we spotlight local businesses for free."
We have each spent over 20 years in marketing and sales in various industries. Julia has been having success for her clients in digital marketing, SEO and business development since the early 2000's. In 2013, Julia's digital marketing assets were sold for close to eight figures.
- 20+ yearsproviding digital marketing services
- 15 yearsdesigning websites that rank
- 10,000+clients resulting from lead nurturing and customer loyalty systems
For the High Country.
By the community.
High Country Insider exists to help residents and visitors discover locally owned businesses and get to know the owners behind them.
From home services and professional practices to restaurants, shops and outdoor adventures, we're interested in the businesses that make this place feel like home.
Learn About High Country InsiderList Your Business
We'll reach out to schedule a quick conversation so we can tell your story in your words.
Suggest a Business
Know a High Country gem that deserves a spotlight? Quit keeping it a secret!
A few good questions
Is a listing really free?
Yes. High Country Insider listings are 100% free and invitation-only. There are no pay-to-play rankings. We talk with owners and confirm their business details before featuring them.
Where do you feature businesses?
We cover Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and the surrounding High Country. Choose your town in the application, or select “Other High Country town” and tell us where you're based.
What kinds of businesses can apply?
Locally owned businesses serving the High Country, including home services, design and construction, restaurants, outdoor businesses, pet services, wellness providers and professional practices. Tell us what you do so we can learn more.
What happens after I apply?
We'll reach out to schedule a conversation, hear your story and confirm your details. Applying does not automatically create a listing; the guide is curated and invitation-only.
How is my spotlight promoted?
Your Spotlight is published on High Country Insider. Then we share it on social media and pay to put it in front of people in your service area, so the people you want to work with actually see it.
How many businesses do you feature?
We feature new businesses every month, but we intentionally limit the number we take on because we personally conduct every interview and write every Spotlight ourselves.
Will you try to sell me marketing services?
If we see a clear way to help you get more calls, we may point it out. We've been helping local businesses with websites, Google Business Profiles, and online marketing for more than 20 years, so some of the owners we feature ask us for additional help. Others just want the free Spotlight, and that's completely fine. There's no obligation to hire us for anything.
Can I nominate a business I don't own?
Absolutely. Use the Suggest a Business form to tell us about a local favorite and why you love them. We'll reach out to the business to learn more.
How do you use my contact information?
Your application details let us contact you about your listing. We never sell your information. Read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Help your neighbors discover what you do best.
Tell us about your business, or nominate a local favorite. A great introduction starts with a simple conversation.