Charlotte’s small business scene is part of what makes our city so unique. As a locally-owned business, Helen Adams Realty prides itself in regularly supporting other local small businesses in our community.
Last month we celebrated four years with LoLo, a company that helps us support these unique local businesses through monthly gifts to our clients, neighbors, and friends. LoLo, Locals Supporting Locals, is dedicated to keeping the local love alive in communities across the country by sourcing gifts from local independent vendors.
“The huge value of LoLo is that I can emphasize the importance of keeping your money local,” says Sydney Habbal, an agent at our Lake Norman office. “Everyone loves it. Most of my clients love the local aspect and the introduction to businesses they haven’t been to before. Plus it gives me a chance to see my clients and friends in person.”
Helen Adams Realty is honored that we’ve generated over $50,000 for locally owned and operated businesses since starting the program in 2017. We’ve sent more than 147,000 gifts to clients around the Queen City. LoLo gifts are always 100% free to our clients and never require the vendor to discount their goods or services.
The client experience with LoLo is extremely user friendly, another reason why it has been such a great program for our agents and clients. Each month, clients receive gifts from our agents and staff to locally owned companies in one of our four gift zones. The gift zones are placed around each of our office locations, Central Charlotte; South Charlotte; Lake Norman; Fort Mill, allowing us to easily support a wide range of businesses and invite our clients to patron businesses in their own backyards.
Another added bonus to the program, says Anne Carroll Ratcliffe, is that it’s a great way to stay connected with people. The agent explains that most of the time her friends will even invite her out to that local business to share in the gift and double the support.
Being able to support local businesses, give our clients something of value, and connect with our neighbors aligns with our firm’s core values. This “thank you” gift allows us to give back to those who support us by introducing them to independently owned businesses around town.
“With our strong roots and history in Charlotte, our partnership with LoLo is a natural fit for our family’s firm and a win-win for everyone,” says Rebecca Adams Starrs, Chief Marketing Officer. “We love spreading the word about local business to our clients. Whether the business is new to them or a familiar favorite, they’re helping out a neighbor.”
Simply by being a member of your Helen Adams Realty agent’s email list, you can take advantage of these local, free gifts. You’ll receive an email during the first week of the month with a gift in your local market. Using your LoLo gift is easy! Learn how to redeem your gift. Not on the LoLo list? Ask your preferred Helen Adams Realty agent for more information on how to get involved.
Helen Adams, a sixth generation Charlottean, founded her residential real estate firm in Charlotte in 1975. The company is now operated by her son, Jeff, and four grandchildren. As a locally owned and operated company for 46 years, it is important for Helen Adams Realty to give back to the community that it services.