Be Locally Loved

🌟 Episode Summary In this episode of Be Locally Loved, Laura Capes Terry sits down with Shirly Ellison, Area Director for Be Local in the Boston region and recipient of the prestigious Big Dog Award. With a background as a tax attorney and business consultant, Shirly brings both strategic insight and lived experience to the conversation. She has launched and grown multiple Be Local publications and now mentors other directors across the country. Together, Laura and Shirly explore what truly makes a community thrive. From the overwhelming experience of relocating to a new town to the responsibility local businesses have to build trust, this conversation centers on connection. Shirly shares why BeLocal is “a game changer” for businesses and new movers alike — positioning trusted brands in front of residents at the very moment they’re deciding who to support. The discussion goes beyond marketing tactics. It dives into reputation, generosity, neighborliness, and long-term thinking. Shirly explains how businesses can become woven into the fabric of a town by serving before selling, building rapport, and participating in the life of the community. At its heart, this episode reflects the mission of Be Locally Loved: helping towns grow stronger together without losing the human connection that makes them special. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why new movers are at the top of their buying cycle — and why that matters for local businesses • How BeLocal’s print, digital, and social media approach creates long-term brand visibility • The three R’s every business needs: reputation, rates, and response • How serving your community builds trust faster than traditional advertising • Why neighborly businesses create stronger local economies • How curated, locally sourced insight builds credibility over generic marketing • Why connection — not coupons — is the key to becoming locally loved • How communities can grow while preserving culture and belonging 🤝 Why This Conversation Matters Communities across the country are growing quickly. New residents are arriving, longtime locals are adjusting, and businesses are competing for attention in a noisy world. This episode offers a grounded reminder that thriving towns are built on relationships — not transactions. Business owners, community leaders, and residents alike will find practical wisdom here. If you care about protecting the heart of your town while helping it grow, this conversation will give you both perspective and tangible next steps. 🎧 Listen & Share Listen to the full episode to hear Shirly’s story and insights in her own words. Share it with a business owner, neighbor, or city leader who cares about strengthening your community. And subscribe to Be Locally Loved for more conversations about the people, places, and ideas that help towns thrive.

🌟 Episode Summary In this episode of Be Locally Loved, Laura sits down with Kim McAuliffe, Downtown and Tourism Director for the City of Georgetown and leader of the award-winning Georgetown Main Street Program. With nearly two decades of experience in local government and downtown revitalization, Kim offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to build — and sustain — a thriving town center. The conversation explores how Georgetown transformed its historic square through intentional reinvestment, preservation, and long-term planning. Kim shares how the Main Street framework helped reverse decline, how facade and signage grants encourage property owners to invest in their buildings, and why business retention and expansion visits matter just as much as recruiting new businesses. From the Red Poppy Festival to the lighting of the square, Kim also highlights how events create emotional connection — not just economic activity. She explains the powerful cycle of building a place locals love first, which naturally attracts visitors and new residents. Throughout the episode, a consistent theme emerges: thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They require collaboration, reinvestment, and leaders who understand that the work is never done. This conversation embodies the heart of Be Locally Loved — showing how cities, businesses, and residents can work together to create places people are proud to call home. ⸻ 💡 What You’ll Learn • How the Main Street framework provides structure for downtown revitalization • Why reinvesting gradually over time is key to long-term success • How facade and sign grants encourage private investment in historic districts • The importance of business retention and expansion visits in supporting local entrepreneurs • Why creating a place locals love naturally attracts visitors and future residents • How collaboration — not competition — strengthens an entire business community • The role events like Red Poppy Festival and the lighting of the square play in building civic pride • Why construction and redevelopment phases require community-wide support to protect small businesses ⸻ 🤝 Why This Conversation Matters As towns across the country experience rapid growth, this episode offers a grounded example of how to expand without losing identity. It’s especially valuable for city leaders navigating redevelopment, business owners seeking deeper community connection, and residents who want to understand how they can contribute to a thriving local economy. Kim’s perspective reminds us that strong communities are built through intentional leadership, public-private partnership, and a shared belief that a rising tide raises all ships. If you care about the future of your town — whether you lead it, serve it, or simply love it — this conversation will resonate. ⸻ 🎧 Listen & Share If you care about building a place people love to live, work, and visit, this episode is for you. Listen or watch the full conversation, share it with a local business owner or community leader, and subscribe to Be Locally Loved for more conversations about what helps communities thrive.

🌟 Episode Summary In this episode of Be Locally Loved, host Laura Capes Terry sits down with co-host Trent Soles to unpack the inspiration and impact behind BeLocal — a platform designed to proactively welcome new homeowners and connect them with trusted local businesses. Together, they explore how BeLocal was born from a simple but powerful need: new homeowners often move into a town with no clear roadmap to its people, resources, and culture. While cities and chambers care deeply about welcoming residents, many don’t have the time, staff, or infrastructure to do it well. BeLocal steps into that gap — delivering a trusted, curated guide that shortens the learning curve for newcomers and strengthens the economic vitality of the community. Laura shares the story of launching BeLocal in Cedar Park during the pandemic, bringing it to Georgetown through a partnership with city leaders, and how proactive welcome efforts led to recognition as a Best Downtown Partner. Trent adds insight into why print still carries unique credibility, how third-party endorsement builds trust, and why BeLocal functions as more than advertising — it’s a relationship bridge between businesses and residents. At its core, this conversation is about long-term thinking. It’s about helping new movers feel seen, helping businesses build credibility the right way, and helping cities grow without losing their heart. ⸻ 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why new homeowners are the long-term future of any town • The hidden overwhelm new movers face — and how proactive welcome changes everything • How BeLocal cuts years off the process of settling into a community • Why print still holds powerful credibility in a digital world • The difference between transactional marketing and relationship-building marketing • How third-party endorsement builds trust faster than self-promotion • Why cities and chambers partner with BeLocal instead of trying to build welcome systems themselves • How guiding new residents protects a town’s culture while supporting economic growth ⸻ 🤝 Why This Conversation Matters Communities across the country are growing. The question is not whether growth will happen — it’s whether it will be managed intentionally. This episode matters because it addresses a real challenge cities face right now: how to welcome new residents without losing identity, connection, and trust. If you’re a local business owner, city leader, chamber professional, or resident who cares about the future of your town, this conversation offers practical insight into how relationships — not transactions — shape thriving communities. ⸻ 🎧 Listen & Share Listen to the full episode to explore how intentional welcome builds stronger towns. Share it with a business owner, city leader, or neighbor who cares about your community’s future. And subscribe to Be Locally Loved for more conversations about the people, places, and ideas that help communities thrive.

🌟 Episode Summary In this opening episode of Be Locally Loved, Laura Capes Terry asks a simple but powerful question: what makes a town feel like home—not just for longtime locals, but for the families who just arrived last week? As cities grow quickly and businesses compete for attention, communities face a real tension. New families are excited but overwhelmed. Longtime residents feel the pace of change and wonder if the heart of their town is slipping away. This conversation explores how communities can grow without losing connection—and how belonging doesn’t happen by accident. Drawing from her work with BeLocal, Laura shares what she’s witnessed firsthand: when communities become intentional about connection, everything changes. New movers don’t just need a house. They need trusted people, reliable resources, and a clear way to plug in. At the same time, local businesses don’t just need visibility—they need trust. Be Locally Loved exists to spotlight the people, places, and ideas that help communities thrive. This episode sets the tone for conversations with business owners, city leaders, and everyday doers who are building towns where people don’t just live—but truly belong. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why rapid growth can create both opportunity and disconnection • The hidden overwhelm new families experience when they move • Why local businesses need trust—not just clicks or attention • How intentional connection strengthens both residents and businesses • The role trusted local resources play in helping people plug in • Why belonging doesn’t happen automatically—it requires leadership and care • How everyday people can shape the future of their community • The bigger mission behind Be Locally Loved and the bridge it seeks to build 🤝 Why This Conversation Matters Communities everywhere are growing. But growth without intention can weaken connection. This episode matters because it reframes success—not as expansion alone, but as belonging. Business owners, city leaders, and residents who care about the future of their town will find clarity here. It’s an invitation to think long-term, act intentionally, and remember that strong communities are built by people who choose to show up. 🎧 Listen & Share If you care about where you live—and want to help it grow stronger—listen to the full episode. Share it with a business owner, community leader, or neighbor who believes connection still matters. And subscribe to Be Locally Loved for more conversations about building places people are proud to call home.

Welcome to Be Locally Loved, the podcast that celebrates the people, places, and ideas that help communities thrive. In this trailer episode, host Laura Capes Terry shares the heartbeat behind the show — a deep belief that strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built through trust, connection, and everyday people who choose to care. Each episode will spotlight: • Community leaders shaping the future of their towns • Business owners committed to serving with integrity • Creative connectors building bridges between people • Practical strategies that strengthen local economies • Essential resources that help new and longtime residents feel at home Whether you’re: • A business owner who wants to become a trusted partner in your community • A local resident who believes belonging matters • A leader who cares about long-term impact This podcast is for you. Be Locally Loved is about more than marketing. It’s about cultivating roots. It’s about fostering trust. It’s about creating places people are proud to call home. Join us as we explore what it really takes to build communities that last. What to Expect • Meaningful conversations • Real stories from real people • Local impact strategies • Encouragement for business and civic leaders • A reminder that community is built intentionally Watch, Subscribe & Share 🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Subscribe on YouTube for full video episodes. https://www.youtube.com/@BeLocallyLoved 📲 Want more local inspiration between episodes? Follow us on Instagram for highlights, clips, and behind-the-scenes moments. https://www.instagram.com/belocallyloved ⭐ If this message resonates with you, please: • Subscribe to the podcast • Leave a review • Share this episode with someone who cares about your town Stronger communities grow when more people lean in. Welcome to Be Locally Loved.