
CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY CONNECTING CAPE CODDERS








CELEBRATING THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING OUR ECONOMY CONNECTING CAPE CODDERS
In 2023, Love Live Local celebrated a decade of community dedication, and as I reflect on last year,Iamfilledwithgratitudeforthecollectiveenthusiasm,commitment,andencouragement of our supporters that have made our journey truly remarkable. In the spirit of growth and impact, we set ambitious goals for the year, and I am proud to share our achievements with you.
In commemoration of our 10th anniversary, Love Live Local’s board of directors and staff redefined our mission and vision, adding values and purpose to guide our endeavors. Our commitment to this new mission and our continued advocacy remained strong, with editorial content addressing challenges faced by local businesses, active participation in community dialogueswithpolicymakers,andcomprehensivereportslike"LocalMatters:SpotlightonService Providers" and "Energy Matters," which highlighted the vital contributions of service providers andtheimportanceofenergyefficiencyinsmallbusinesses.
Our Love Local Fests experienced record-breaking attendance during the summer, fall, and holiday events. The Love Local Field Guide and Love Local Gift Guide showcased 175 pages of editorial and visual content, bridging the gap between the community and Cape Cod's local businesses.OurdowntownHyannisretailstorecontinuedtobeahubforlocalmakers,sharing ourmissionandsupportingthevibrantcommunity.
Our Boost Your Brand workshops empowered Cape Cod entrepreneurs with the knowledge to thrive as local makers and event vendors, while the Local Business Boost Program provided one-on-one assistance and micro grants to 20 local businesses, contributing to their growth andsuccess
Collaboratingwithpartners,wehighlightedthestoriesofsmalllocalbusinessesthatcontribute significantlytothelocaleconomy,fosteringasenseofcommunityandsupport,andduringthe holidayseason,weencouragedCapeCodderstopledgetoshiftatleast10%oftheirgift-giving budget to locally owned businesses, with the potential to generate millions for the local economy
We couldn’t have done any of this work without the financial support of our sponsors and donors Thesuccessofourfirstannualappealandotherfundraisingefforts,includingourShop for Local events and Second Summer Cycle team, was made possible by their incredible supportandatestamenttothestrengthandsolidarityofou
Thankyouforbeingavitalpartofourjourney
Love Live Local is a non-profit dedicated to strengthening Cape Cod's local economy by promoting the importance of supporting small businesses and fosteringathrivingcommunity.
Througheducation,advocacy,anddirectsupport,westrivetoinspireresidents andvisitorsaliketoinvestinouruniquelocalbusinessesandcontributetothe sustainablegrowthofourregion.
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OurvisionistocreateavibrantandresilientCapeCodwheresmallbusinesses flourishandthecommunitythrives.Byprioritizinglocalspendingandnurturing entrepreneurship, we will preserve the distinct character of our region and ensureasustainable,innovative,andprosperousfutureforallwhocherishthis specialplace.
$277,500
1.WeknowthatlocalbusinessescontributetotheCapeCodcommunityon afargreaterscalethantheircorporatecompetitors,andthisknowledge informsallofourwork.
2.Wedefineshoppinglocallyasmorethanjustwhereyouspendyour money,itisalsodefinedbywhereyouspendyourotherresources:time, intention,andattention.
3.WerecognizethatCapeCodisauniqueandextraordinaryplacetolive, work,visitandplay,andwearedeeplycommittedtokeepingthis communitystrongandvibrant.
4.Webelievediversityofthought,cultureanddemographicsisoneofCape Cod’sgreateststrengths,andweworktowardsolutionsthateliminate structuralandsystemicinequalitiesasitrelatestosmallbusiness ownership.
5.Wevaluethetransformativeimpactofcollaboration.Byworking together,fosteringopencommunication,furtheringunderstanding,and buildingcaringandsupportiverelationships,wecanachievesomething biggerthanwecouldalone.
6.Weareinnovative,creative,andcourageousinourpursuitofinvestingin, supportingandpromotingourlocalbusinesscommunity.
7.Wedoourbestworkwhenwedoitwithastrongsenseofpurposefueled byapassionforthisplacewecallhome.
8.Inthisever-changingworldandeconomy,weseektobeproactive, responsive,andresourcefulandtocontinuallyevolveinordertomeetthe needsofoursmallbusinesscommunity.
9.Weareproudtohaveareputationofauthenticityandcredibility,andwill maintainitbypracticingtransparency,honesty,andopenness.
1.Workwithlocalbusinessestoachievetheireconomicgoalsthroughgrants, education,research,andadvocacy,enablingthemtoinnovate,grow,and succeedinanever-changingmarket.
2.Educateandinspireconsumersofallkindstoshifttheirspendinghabitsfrom bigboxstoresandonlineretailerstolocalbusinesses,highlightingthepositive impactofthesechoicesonthecommunityandtheCapeCodeconomy.
3.Fosterastrongsenseofcommunityconnectionamongindividualsand organizationstoimprovetheoverallhealthofourregionbypromotingand hostinglocalevents,initiativesandcollaborationsthatbringpeopletogether, celebratetheuniquecultureofCapeCodandcontributetotheoverallwellbeing oftheregion.
4.Communicatehow,where,andwhytoshoplocalthroughourdigital communicationsandannualpublications.
5.Investinlocalbrandsandmakersbycarryingtheminourretailstoreand providingthecommunitywith estinthemaswell
"Thethingspeoplelovewillnotbehereifthereisnotaninvestmentin smallbusinessandworkforce.LoveLiveLocalprovidesavoicefor smallbusinessesthatdon’thavetheabilitytoadvocatefor themselves.LoveLiveLocalisthereminderthatthesebusinessesneed support."
LoveLiveLocalwasfoundedin2013asayear-roundlifestyle guide that has since evolved into a local business movementonCapeCod.Theintentionfromthestartwasto celebrate Cape Cod's strong sense of place, highlight positive stories and local happenings and connect local businesseswithcustomersandsupporters.
But,asco-foundersandsmallbusinessownersAmandaConverse,KateSheehan and Jen Villa had come to learn firsthand the challenges small businesses face duetoavarietyofmarketforces,corporateconsolidationandappropriation,the rapid upsurge of online commerce, as well as public policy decisions that have favored big business over small mom and pop shops, their mission and messaginggrewandevolved.
More and more the organization shared educational messages about the impactsoftheserealitiesandinearly2020thispassionprojectbecamea501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on celebrating the community, supporting the economy, and connecting Cape Codders through events, guide books, and a retail store, along with research, content creation and advocacy for a broader impact.
Love Live Local works to ensure things like corporate concentration and the massive shift to shopping onlinewithlargeecommercegiantsdoesn’timpactourlocalbusinessestoapointofnoreturn,andaims toassistlocalbusinessesintheirgrowthanddevelopmentsotheyhaveafightingchanceagainsttheir corporatecompetitors.Theorganization’sgoalistoshowpeoplewhyit’simportanttochooselocaland howtodoit,anditistheonlyoneonCapeCoddoingthiswork.
Behindevery"Open"signliesaspirationsandchallengesuniquetolocalentrepreneurs.Smallbusinesses across the country and on Cape Cod have articulated that access to capital, access to customers, businessservices,technicalassistance,advisorysupport,andbusinessecosystemnavigationarecritical fortheirgrowthandsuccess.
LoveLiveLocalworkstoaddresstheseneedstofurthertheorganization’smissionoffosteringathriving local economy by engaging in research and advocacy, technical assistance and capital support, collaboration with small local businesses and organizations, producing community events, publishing annual publications, sharing digital communications, and representing local brands and makers in a retailstore.
LoveLiveLocalisnotamembershiporganization,thusprovidesavoiceandopportunitiestoalllocally ownedbusinessesacrossCapeCod.
Cape Cod isn’t just a sandy peninsula located off the coast of Massachusetts. It is a place filled with people-friends,families,neighbors-andorganizationsrunbypeople-businesses,farms,nonprofits, andentertainmentvenues-whoarepassionateaboutmakingthisplacethemostvibrantandthrivingit canbe.ThesearethepeopleforwhomLoveLiveLocaldoesthework.
e 2022, the Local Business Boost Program has offered targeted, -on-one technical assistance and implementation support to ll businesses in downtown Hyannis to assist in their continued wth and help them gain competitive advantage in an easinglycorporatizedmarketplace
023,wewereabletoprovidemicrograntsto20localbusinesses workwith25localserviceproviderstoprovidethework.
The projects executed by the service providers ranged from developing a takeout program for a local restaurant, increasing production for a local fashion designer, developing a website for a jewelry store, undergoing a rebrand for a gift shop, adding equipment to increase capabilities for a dog grooming operation, moving along exterior building improvements for two restaurants, replacing a damaged carpetinaretailstore,enlistingalocalartisttopaintamuralontheinsideofarestaurant,andinvesting innewandmoreefficientequipmentforalocalmarket.
TheProgrambeganasapartnershipbetweentheHyannisMainStreetBusinessImprovementDistrictand LoveLiveLocalwithsupportfromAmplifyPOCCapeCod,theTownofBarnstableandMassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative, and two grant cycles have been made possible due to funding received from the TDI Program as well as the State of Massachusetts through the Executive Office of Economic Development, an earmark in the Economic Development Bill made by Senator Julian Cyr, the Cape&IslandsLicensePlatefundandtheCapeCodFoundation.
e second year of the Boost Your Brand Workshop Series, there were opportunities for Cape Cod entrepreneurs looking to find success as makers and event vendors. Local experts provided technical stance on how to get the most out of popup events, connect with omers,raisebrandawareness,andtaketheirproductlinetothenext .30localmakersandbrandswereacceptedintotheworkshops.
2023 program was free to participants thanks to sponsorship from Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and grants from The Cape Cod dationandtheMassachusettsCulturalCouncil.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been selected for the Love Live Local Boost Your Brand workshop. The knowledge shared by the local experienced vendors and creators was invaluable. Not only did we receive insights to how they started their brands, but also learned from what worked or didn’t work for theirconsumerbase.Additionally,ifthatwasn’tenough,thenetworkingalonewasextremelybeneficial. Whenstartingasmallcompany,there’snothingbetterthannetworkingwiththelocalcommunitythat will stand by your side cheering for your success. That was the true feeling of camaraderie we experiencedinadditiontothesharedknowledge.”
-CarolinaPinto,Andrea’sKitchen
Itwasarecordbreakingyearforthe11thseasonoftheLoveLocalFests with over 20,000 attendees celebrating the Cape Cod community for thesummer,fallandholidayeventswheretheywereabletoshopover 130 local makers and brands, eat at local food trucks, listen to local musiciansandshowtheirloveforCapeCodanditssenseofplaceand community The holiday event was particularly special, with 15,000 peopleinattendancetoexperiencetheentireHyannisHolidayweekend including the Hyannis Village Stroll, the Love Local Fest Holiday Edition andtheHyannisHarborBoatParade
Theeventswouldn’thappenwithoutouramazingvolunteers,incredible vendors and generous sponsors like Cape Cod 5, Avangrid, Devil’s Purse,TrueNorthEvent,TruroVineyards,PinaEnterprisesandWOMR
Annual publications, the Love Local Field Guide and Love Local Gift Guide,presented175pagesofeditorialandvisualcontentthatprovide a genuine and authentic bridge between the community and Cape Cod’s local businesses, helping consumers choose local first when searchingforplacestoeat,thingstodo,placestoshopandpresentsto buy.
Since launching in March 2013, Love Live Local has released monthly emails highlighting interesting community events, celebrating the things that make Cape Cod unique, and sharing stories about local businesses and their community impact In 2023, the frequency of the emails was increased to twice a month, in order to provide more resources to Cape Codders looking to connect with the local community
Love Live Local continues to invest in local makers by stocking them in the organization’s retail store in downtown Hyannis. The shop is the nonprofit’shub-anotherspottosharethemissionandmessage-and is always bustling with activity thanks to local shoppers and the other greatlocalbusinesseswithwhomLoveLiveLocalsharesspace:Devinto andWashashoreBakery.
Since April 2020, Love Live Local has produced annual studies to quantify and assess the impact of Cape Cod’s locally owned businesses on the local economy as compared to national chains and online corporations. The aim was and continues to be to put a dollar amount on just how much –monetarily-localbusinessesreinvestintheCapeCodcommunity.
Whilenationalbusinesseshavearoletoplayineveryeconomy,purchasesfromnationalcorporations typically cause money to leave the local economy, as national chains and online purchases send moneyoutsideofthecommunitytotheareaswheretheyareheadquartered.Whendollarsarespent locally,theycaninturnbere-spentlocally,raisingtheoveralllevelofeconomicactivity,payingmore salaries, and continuing to build the local tax base. This recirculation of money leads to an overall increaseofeconomicactivity.
These analyses have quantified what the organization already knew - local businesses of all kinds –retailers, restaurants, and personal and business service providers (like fitness centers and accountants) keep up to four times as much money in the local economy as their national chain competitors.
Thisisduetoprofitspaidouttolocalowners,wagespaidtolocalworkers,procurementoflocalgoods and services and support to local nonprofits, the impact of which cannot be underestimated. The analysisalsoshowedthatbothlocalretailersandrestaurantsneedlessspaceandsprawltogenerate morerevenuepersquarefootthantheirchaincompetitors,andlocallyownedretail,restaurants,and hotelsemploymorepeoplepersquarefoot.
Furthermore, Love Live Local’s research showed that, put into real dollars in just the retail market, a market shift of just 10% from corporate stores to independent stores on Cape Cod would retain an additional$112millioninthelocaleconomyeveryyear.
Choosing local first is not just about supporting friends and neighbors who own small businesses – it alsomakesfinancialandeconomicsensefortheentireCapeCodcommunity.
YoucanviewalloftheLocalMattersReportsreportsontheLoveLiveLocalwebsite: www.lovelivelocal.com/articles/local-matters-reports
Curating editorial and graphic content that communicates Love Live Local’s mission and highlights the importance of choosing local first is an essential part of the organization’s mission. Educational and shareablegraphiccontentissharedonsocialmediaalmostdaily,and provides Cape Codders with context and inspiration around the shop localmovement.
Thetwomostpopulareditorialpiecesin2023were“Redflagsinyour relationshipwithAmazon,”whichoutlinedsomeofthereasons consumersdependenceonAmazon.comisprovingtobeabitdubious and“ThedominationofVisaandMastercardmeansahighcostof doing(local)business”,whichhighlightedwhycreditcardinterchange feesarebecomingincreasinglyproblematicforsmallbusinesses.
The 2023 holiday shopping marked the launch of Love Live Local’s first ever Shift Local Pledge, where Cape Codders were asked to formally pledge to shift at least 10% of their holiday gift giving budget to locally owned businesses 165 people signed the pledge, and will be reporting their expenditures as well as how many local businesses they patronized
Throughouttheyear,alongsidetheCooperativeBankofCapeCodand CapeCodBroadcasting,LoveLiveLocalhighlightedthefolksbehindthe smalllocalbusinessesthatcontributemoretothelocaleconomythan their corporate counterparts, beyond just a single transaction, through theShopLocalStoriesseries.Whetherit’soutstandingcustomerservice, carrying rare or hard-to-find products, creating safe spaces for the community,orgoingaboveandbeyondfortheirpatrons,thefeatured businessesshowjusthowfarlocalswillgotosupporttheircommunity
Hostingandparticipatingincommunitydialoguesandpresentationsis another way Love Live Local shares its mission and messaging. In September, 2023 alongside Amplify POC, Love Live Local co-hosted an event with the Cape delegation and presented data on the proven importance of local businesses to the Cape Cod economy and highlightedthechallengestheyfacefromanationaltoalocalscale,as well as addressed barriers to ownership for people of color. A group of passionate and experienced small business representatives were also given the opportunity to share their own challenges, experiences and stories.
AmericanIndependentBusinessAlliance
BardCollegeGreenMBAProgram
BarnstableCountyCommissioners
CapeCodYoungProfessionals-ShapetheCapeSummit
TheCooperativeBankofCapeCod-CommunityEngagementSeminar
GreaterHyannisCivicAssociation
LowerCapeCDP-ArtofBranding
OrleansSelectBoard
YarmouthRotaryClub
NewReportHighlightsLocalServices,SundayJournal, CapeCodBroadcasting,332023
WhatInspiresUs:LoveLiveLocal
AlisteMarketing,6.8.2023
SecondSummer,SundayJournal, CapeCodBroadcasting,9.22.2023
AHolidayPledgeforCape’sBusinesses, LowerCapeTV,12132023
AmericanIndependentBusinessAlliance
AmplifyPOC
CapeCodChamber
CapeCodMaritimeMuseum
Cape&IslandsWorkforceBoard
EforAllCapeCod
HyannisMainStreetBusinessImprovementDistrict
LowCountryLocalFirst
MashpeeChamberofCommerce
NewEnglandLocalEconomiesCoalition
OpenCape
OrleansChamberofCommerce
SecondSummerCycle
SmallBusinessRising
TownofBarnstable
WECAN
ExecutiveDirector
MarketingDirector
ProgramDirector
Sales+Distribution
AmandaConverse
JenVilla
KellyO’Brien
IanLee
KateSheehan,President
ClaudiadelCastillo,VicePresident
MeganAnttila,Clerk
HeatherSwett,Treasurer
AmandaCatania
JenniferClinton
SarahColvin
PelindaDeegan
LizDigirolamo
JamesGoodin
CharlieHoad
ChristineHornby
ReneeLett
RodrigoPassos
MaryCatherineStarr
KyraTravis
CarolinWalters
LLLCo-Founder,MediaRelationsManager
ChipieDesigns
ExecutiveProducer+ProjectManager
CapeCodHomeRemedies
CataniaHospitalityGroup
TrustforPublicLand;SaltwaterPalette
CapeCodCommission
LowerCapeCDP,Mom+Pops,AplayaKitchen
CapeCodChamberofCommerce
FreeSpiritOriginals
NausetRentals
DennisPoliceDepartment
CapeCodBroadcasting
WebDeveloper
TwoBloomCreative
ChangingTidesConsignment
CoveRoadRealEstate
BethColt
DanDewey
MariaFerguson
ShaynaFerullo+ManuelAinzuain
AmiJeffries
DonnaKutil
Brian+MonilaJunkins
DeniceLaPierre
KarrynLewis
JohnMartinez
JohnMiller
Jason+AliO'Toole
KristenRoberts
LisaSueSmedberg
WendyTaylor
DavidTroutman
Inlet,Quick'sHoleTaqueria,TreetopLodge,WoodsHoleInn
DeweyLandscaping
FigTreeCafe
SnowyOwlCoffeeRoasters
MassBayCompany
ScenicRoots
Friend'sMarketplace
F/VIsabel+Lilee
WholeHealthPharmacy
JohnnytheBartender
JMillerPictureFramer
PizzaBarbone
TruroVineyards
Story
UpFrontClothing
ScargoCafe
LoveLiveLocalwouldnotbeabletodotheworkitdoeswithoutthe generosityofoursponsors,volunteers,donors+supporters!
AidenFurget
AisteZitnikaite
AlexaGarthee
AlexandraPratt
AlexisAgaman
AlexisCharles
AmandaCatania
AngelaBergonzi
AngelaBucar
BeckyTaber
BethJohnson
BlaneToedt
CaitlinWardPrior
CarolinWalters
CaseyChatelain
CharlieHoad
ChrisO'Brien
ChristineHermes
ClaudiaDelCastillo
CourtneyWittenstein
CrystalPeichel
DarleneHoyt
DiannaSmith
EdenSchwenk
ElenaLynch
ErinAndrews
GeoffreyConverse
GretaGeorgieva
HeatherHunter
HeatherSwett
IanLee
JaimeShortall
JamesGoodin
JaynaDolby
JayneLemon
JeanneMorrison
JenClifford
JenClinton
JoshScott
KateSheehan
KatieCollins
KatieGetzBifano
KelseyEllis
KristinMacDonald
KyraTravis
LilliePeterson-Wirtanen
LizDiGirolomo
LukeMachnik
MaddySwett
MaddyWard
MaryCatherineStarr
MasonSwett
MattBechard
MeaghanDonnelly
MegAnttila
MeganGarthee
NateCollins
PelindaDeegan
PhyllisVilla
ReneeLett
RodrigoPassos
RorySlye
SarahColvin
ShannonBechard
SiobhanClune
St JohnPaulIIGolfTeam
SuzanneO'Brien
TaraVargas-Wallace
TinaDivitantonio
VictoriaDiann
ZachSwett
Inhonorofour10yearanniversarywesetagoaltoraise$10,000andreceiveda generousmatchtodoubleourimpact.ThankstoinitiativeslikeourLoveLocalFest communitymuralwewereabletoraiseover$20000tosupportourmission!
BetsyAlper
RachelAnderson
CatherenAndrade
MargaretAndrews
DeliaAnttila
VinnieArnone
DanetteAtsalis
JennyAvellar
MollyAvellar
SherylBaba
JohnBarley
GraceBarter
ErinBeasley
SebastianBergman
AndreaBesse
KatherineBifano
MandeeBlair
ChristinaBologna
WendyBornstein
MeghanBoudreau
JenniferBrann
PamelaBrown
JaneBrown-Boolhack
CatherineBurgoyne
HeatherHBurk
LindseyBurns
TheCookieCaper
MaraCard
JulianneCardoni
MeghanCarr
AmandaCatania
ColleenCathcart
AmyChase
KathleenClancy
MatthewClark
SiobhanClune
GreggCole
KristieComer
AmandaConverse
KristenCorbett
Jayne+DanCoyne
EugeneCurry
LindaDarmon
DianeDaszuta
KatharineDavis
JessieDecker
ClaudiaDelCastillo
DArcyDemianoff-Thompson
StephanieDennehy
MarshaDilk
AlexanderDonald
AliDonargo
ChristinaDonnelly
KalliopeEgloff
Rob+KathyEllis
KelseyEllis
AlisonElsman
LaurenErickson
LizFallon
LindaFleming
DebFoley
ElizabethFort
KimberlyGainey
GabrielaGalvin
KimberlyGazal
JessicaGomes
JamesGoodin
AdamGracia
MeghanGreen
LisaGuyon
BrookeHandel
HollyHeaslip
LindsayHolt
CharlesHuber
PatHughes
HeatherHunter
ElizabethHurley
AshleyIreneBoutique
KathleenKane
LauraKeefe
MicheleKeeney
KerryKew
JamieKnisely
ChristineKnowlton
KyleKochiss
PamelaKukla
SusanKurtzman
DonnaKutilRoss
ConnieLacharite
SarahLapsley-Martin
MarkLaw
CarolineLaye
MichaelLee
ReneeLett
MariaElenaLynch
StephanieManning
RyanMarsh
JesseMasterson
AlisonMawrey
MaireadMcGonagle
WhitneyMcNamara
AmberMcNamara
AnnMiller
JohnMiller
MaryOMills
MollyMitchell
JeanMojo
MelMorency
DeniseMoriarty
R.PatrickMurphy
PatriciaMurray
HannahNarkon
JoeNeimann
LoriNeviackas
PaulNiedzwiecki
ChrisO’Brien
LizO’Malley
JustinOssolinski
AllisonPaine
JudyPalnick
MahtabParham
RodrigoPassos
KylePedicini
SimonePereira
NanettePerkins
BioPerkins
JennyPerreault
LynnePleffner
LindaPoole
LynnePoyant
JoyceReardon
AnnRichardson
FrancoiseRocher
JohnRogol
LoriRuggieri
KimRumberger
VenusSanford
FrancesSawyer
MichelleSchultz
MidnightOurSeafood
CherylSedaker
SusanShaw
MarieSheehan
TomSheehan
NinaSheehan
KateSheehan
JaimeShortall
JennShurkus
ValerieSilva
SamanthaSmith
MollySmith
DianeStansbury
MaryCatherineStarr
AntoniaStephens
JamieStiely
AndreaStone
HeatherSwett
BrianTaranto
KarenTeeley
ChangingTides
KyraTravis
MatthewTravis
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NevadaTrepanowski
JenVilla
PhyllisVilla
MiriamVoros
TaraWallace
ChristopherWard
JoannaWeinreich
CarolynWinn
LyndaWood
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BetsyYoung
NiamhZeghibe