Find Out Why These Washington County Businesses Are Thriving
Five winners of the 2023 Washington County Business Challenge share how this bustling region in Virginia has helped their endeavors.
Business continues to thrive in the Washington County, Virginia, region for many reasons. Tourism is booming, as visitors come from across the country to explore one of the most beautiful corners of the Appalachian Mountains. Plus, the region has a favorable cost of doing business compared to larger cities, and community leaders are just as collaborative as residents are supportive of local businesses.
Five winners of the 2023 Washington County Business Challenge detail how the area has impacted their business.
In This Article
Stormbrew Farm
Daisy Sturgill owns Stormbrew Farm with her mother, Jennifer Martin. Known for its beautiful flower bouquets, Stormbrew Farm grows cut flowers, vegetables and herbs, and hosts farm-to-table events. It also operates a small campground on the property, providing visitors with a unique place to stay. The farm has found much success in Washington County, thanks to the flourishing tourism scene, rich soil and supportive community.
“Washington County is a great place to live and do business. It is well on its way to becoming a version of Asheville, North Carolina,” Sturgill says. “People are moving from all over, and it is becoming more diverse.”
Riverfeet Fly Fishing
Location is everything, which is primarily why Dan Rice chose Washington County to start Riverfeet Fly Fishing, a fly-fishing guide service. “We’re a good location to escape the bitter cold in winter or the high heat of summer. We also have unique fishing
opportunities, including the option to bike and fish the Virginia Creeper Trail or float the valley rivers and mountain lakes. And we are near the legendary Tennessee Tailwaters,” Rice says. “The diversity of landscape provides both good scenery and fishing. From the mountain trails, the rural valleys and the historic charm of downtown Abingdon, we’ve got a little something for everyone.”
Bluestone Hearing & Tinnitus
Jennifer Lowe, doctor of audiology at Bluestone Hearing & Tinnitus, established the faith-based practice in Abingdon to serve Washington County and neighboring rural communities where resources for the underserved are often limited.
“I was born and raised in Southwest Virginia. The people here and the quality of health care they receive are important to me,” Lowe says. “Collectively, the physician community continues to support the business through referrals, but many have similar values. The area strives to offer the best health care. I feel there is a consensus that Abingdon offers a variety of specialists to help provide health care without having to drive far.”
Love & Light Specialty Boutique
Love & Light Specialty Boutique is a Christian-based business offering apparel, accessories and specialty crafts. A longtime resident of the area, Kitzi Manuel started her business online in 2018 and opened the brick-and-mortar location in 2020.
Manuel attributes her success to a few factors that make Washington County special.
“We’ve been very blessed – not only with the surprisingly low cost of doing business but also finding the perfect location,” she says. “Our area is rich in small businesses, and other business owners are always willing to help.”
Manuel adds that tourism has also been beneficial for her business.
“You can see the Barter Theatre outside our door, and we have many great restaurants. People come from all over to walk through our town and see the historic sites,” she says. “Our community leaders are great at getting the word out, too. We have a phenomenal community that reaches out and supports us in all the ways.”
All You Need is Scott
All You Need is Scott is a handyman business that Scott Socia owns and operates. Socia started the company in 2019 after moving from Norfolk, Virginia.
“My friend needed something fixed in her house, and afterward, they gave me the idea to start a business,” Socia says. “I have a lot of repeat customers that continue to support my business, and I enjoy all the projects I work on, even if they’re difficult.”
Get to Know Washington County
Want to learn more about living and working in Washington County, VA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Washington County, Virginia.
