Celebrating
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Growing Community Equity
I love Metro Atlanta; it's why I decided to leave a career in software to become a Realtor. I felt that I could not build stronger communities in Atlanta by sitting behind a desk managing software projects, and I needed to find a way to make a change actively. Atlanta is a wonderfully diverse community with a collection of independent business owners, an abundance of cultures to experience, and exciting people to connect socially. These things are extraordinary, but they do not help build stronger communities.
Over the years, I've witness communities thrive, and others languish; the only true formula for a community thriving is the support system within those communities. This system is what I call Community Equity; it's not unlike Sweat Equity because it requires putting in the effort and time into a community to make it flourish. There are four foundations of this system Supporting Local Businesses, Connecting with Neighbors, Grow Homeownership and Building Pride; these are the pathways to building stronger communities.
Support a locally owned business is not a blanket occurrence where you support any business because it's a local or small business; just like any other business, they must earn your support. Providing quality services and products where you see and feel their pride in owning their small business. When you see a locally owned small business raise the bar with unparalleled service and products, they deserved your support. Sometimes items may cost more but remember they provide quality to you and not bulk buys where it's all about quantity, not quality. There is a priceless value in supporting a locally owned business that provides quality because they attract other companies who will offer a similar level of quality to those within the community.
People in a neighborhood have a common bond of living in the same community, but they must connect on other levels to foster that bond. Like a workplace, a community needs a team to make it a robust environment to thrive. Through community activities, neighbors become friends, and friends help you be accountable, whether it's helping turn an abandoned lot into a park or helping other build pride in the community and their property. This social currency is often unspoken, but communities with actively engaged participants who support each other and the businesses in their area reap the rewards of having more conveniences for all to enjoy.
There is a silent strength in owning a home because it's a significant financial, social, and lifestyle commitment behind owning your property. It represents your most substantial financial investment, and fulfilling the obligations of financing that home is a great accomplishment.
Whether you are a first-time buyer, expanding or downsizing your home, it's ultimately an enhancement to your life no matter your stage. As a society, let's grow that sense of accomplishment by providing people with the knowledge and the support to become homeowners, thus building a stronger community.
Without pride, there is nothing. By building a thriving community through hard work, accomplished goals, and the support of each other and businesses, there is pride. A proud community is a flourishing community; they have built a sense of accomplishment with locally owned small businesses and homeownership.
Let's build a strong community in Metro Atlanta through homeownership and support our locally owned small businesses. Please share with me by tagging @AgentCate33 on Instagram your locally owned business, renovation, garden, or even your favorite small business in the metro Atlanta area. Don't forget to check out the Community section of AgentCate.com for upcoming events, webinars, and more to help build stronger communities throughout Atlanta's metropolitan area.