Laurie and her husband Jim opened Cohutta Country Store in October 2006. A lifelong love of animals lead to the opening of an agriculturally based business. She lives on a farm in Morganton and raises Beef Cattle. They have 3 dogs Macie, Newt & Dylan, 1 cat Tink, and on the farm 3 Dartmoor Ponies, Buff, Gummy Bear & Scotti.