Locally Focused Gift Registry Launches

I have had the good fortune to meet incredible people in my 10+ year journey of seeking to understand "sustainability".  One of those people is the Founder and CEO of a new company that has the potential to "scale" the interest in putting our dollars to work building resilient local businesses.  Her name is Allison Grappone, the company is Nearby Registry, and I'm thrilled to be a member of her advisory team.

The most exciting news for the organization was their November 7th appearance on MSNBC's Your Business.

I learned something new in the segment. While I'm familiar with the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses to keep dollars circulating locally - building economic resilience - what I had not thought of was the potential for NR to connect seasonal visitors with the places they frequent and love, as one of the interviewees envisioned.  Imagine, someone living in New York City that summers in the Finger Lakes Region could create a holiday wish list comprised of items both from the neighborhood in NYC where they love as well as the funky bookshop or craft boutique they love to visit in the summer.  What a great idea!

Here's what they have kept in the local NH economy since their launch.  At first glance, it may not seem like much, but when you factor in the local business multiplier effect, These 8000 individual dollars (through November 15th) are working hard to support resilient local communities.

So, take a few minutes and visit their site and think about the stores in your neighborhood that you'd like to be a part of Nearby Registry.  Create a wishlist.  If you're more excited about bringing them to your city or town, join their Instagram campaign - snap a photo of your favorite store that simply has to be part of Nearby Registry, tag it with #joinnearby, and send it to @nearbyregistry - let your local voice be heard!  Heck, share it on facebook, twitter, G+, whatever you like.  You can always email them too, at happtohelp@nearbyregistry.com.

Nearby Registry will be, well, nearby, before you know it.