Tailgate Talk: Early Literacy Labs Proves There’s More to the MRV Economy Than Tourism
When people think about the Mad River Valley economy, they often picture ski resorts, restaurants, retail shops, lodging properties, and outdoor recreation businesses. Those industries are certainly important, but they tell only part of the story. One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting Tailgate Talk is discovering the wide range of entrepreneurs and professionals who have chosen to build their businesses here. Our latest conversation with Nicole Chick of Early Literacy Labs is a perfect example.
Located at the highly visible intersection of Bridge Street and Route 100 in Waitsfield, Early Literacy Labs stands out not just because of its location, but because of the specialized services it provides. While thousands of people drive past the building every year, many may not realize that inside is a literacy practice dedicated to helping children develop the reading skills that are foundational to academic success and lifelong learning.
Nicole is a seasoned literacy specialist with more than two decades of experience in education. Through Early Literacy Labs, she works with children, families, and educators using evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction, including the Orton-Gillingham approach, comprehensive literacy assessments, small-group instruction, and educator consultations focused on Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading.
For families whose children struggle with reading, services like these can be transformative. They provide targeted support that helps students gain confidence, improve skills, and unlock opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
What makes Nicole’s story particularly compelling is that it highlights something we see repeatedly throughout the Mad River Valley: people creating highly specialized careers in a rural community. Businesses like Early Literacy Labs serve an important local need while also drawing clients from a broader region, helping diversify our economy and strengthen the Valley’s reputation as a place where innovation and expertise can thrive.
It’s easy to assume that a small mountain community is supported primarily by tourism. Yet conversations like this remind us that the Valley is also home to educators, consultants, healthcare professionals, technology experts, artists, craftspeople, and entrepreneurs whose work reaches well beyond our borders.
These businesses contribute to the resilience of our local economy and help make the Mad River Valley a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.
Because one of the best parts of living in the Mad River Valley is discovering all the unexpected ways people make a living—and make a difference.
