Small Business Advocacy 2023 Annual Report

In 2023, Love Live Local celebrated a decade of community dedication, marking a milestone that reflects the collective enthusiasm, commitment, and encouragement of our supporters, making our journey truly remarkable. In the spirit of growth and impact, ambitious goals were set for the year, and we are 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 dialogues with policymakers, and comprehensive reports like "Local Matters: Spotlight on Service Providers" and "Energy Matters," which highlighted the vital contributions of service providers and the importance of energy efficiency in small businesses.

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. Our downtown Hyannis retail store continued to be a hub for local makers, sharing our mission and supporting the vibrant community.

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 and success.

Collaborating with partners, we highlighted the stories of small local businesses that contribute significantly to the local economy, fostering a sense of community and support, and during the holiday season, we encouraged Cape Codders to pledge to shift at least 10% of their gift-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. The success of our first annual appeal and other fundraising efforts, including our Shop for Local events and Second Summer Cycle team, was made possible by their incredible support and a testament to the strength and solidarity of our community.

Thank you for being a vital part of our journey!