Supporting New Orleans Small Businesses
I’ve always been committed to the well-being of my clients and my community, which is why I give back a portion of every commission I earn to local charities and non-profit organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank. Helping My Clients and Friends But in 2020, I wanted to do more. How could I support those who had been so deeply affected by the economic downturn? I decided that if I could get the word out about some of my favorite small businesses, and send customers their way, then I’d be lending a hand to hard-working folks who are my clients and friends. Most of the owners I’ve known for years, and their businesses are labors of love that bring joy, beauty, food, and fun to New Orleanians and visitors alike. Gift Card Giveaways on Instagram In that spirit, I gave away $100 gift cards and more to different small businesses throughout the year on my Instagram feed. The aim was to promote those small businesses by treating some lucky folks to the special products and services that they offer. From bars, hotels, restaurants, and merchants like The Delachaise, Del Fuego, Hotel Provincial, GoGo Jewelry and more, some great New Orleans businesses were given the spotlight. Spotlighting My Favorites Hopefully, you’ve learned a bit about the amazing people who own these businesses, as well as their products and services, and maybe even decided to patronize them yourself. It was something I could do to show my appreciation and support for those who’ve been there for me over the years, and I’ll continue to do it in 2021. Check Out These Great Businesses Below are the small businesses I supported through giveaways this year. They’re all wonderful at what they do and would appreciate your support: Hotel Provincial Sylvain Windowsill Pies Kingpin Bar Horn’s Eatery City Greens Marion Cage Del Fuego Taqueria Green Fork The Wine Seller Barrow’s Catfish The Delachaise GoGo Jewelry
Michelle Walpole: Design Consultant, Organizer and Life-Saver
Michelle “re-designed” this home by paring down, packing up, and rearranging furniture and accessories before it was listed for sale. We may call Saints player Taysom Hill the Swiss Army Knife (and for good reason!), but Michelle Walpole might just give him a run for his money. Whether it’s consulting on interior design, fine-tuning a renovation, organizing closets, staging a property, or packing up a family and unpacking them in a new home, her skill set is wide and varied. A licensed interior designer and realtor, Michelle is an experienced professional and close friend who I’ve worked with for years. Getting a home ready to sell Perhaps you’re interested in selling your home but don’t know where to start with messy closets, a chaotic playroom, a neglected workshop, or built-in bookshelves that need some love? I’ll bring Michelle in to make suggestions and tackle those tasks. While she’s at it, she can also do what she calls a “re-design” – using your own furniture to stage your house for listing by pairing down, packing up and rearranging for a fresh, clean look. Doesn’t this porch look clean, airy, and inviting? It’s all thanks to Michelle’s handiwork. Evaluating a potential dream home Maybe you’re a buyer, and I’ve helped you find what could be your dream home, if it weren’t for a few issues. Perhaps a half bath needs to be made into a full bath, or a kitchen needs better storage. Michelle will take a look and give feedback on the feasibility of what needs doing, and if it will work financially. Delicately packing what matters most Or, it might be that we’ve already closed on your dream home, and you need someone you can trust to pack and unpack your sensitive items like paperwork, jewelry, silver, china and special knick-knacks – in other words, things you don’t want a large-scale mover to handle. Yes, she does that, too. Memories and more And finally, there’s the delicate situation of an elderly family member who has passed away or needs to move, and their house is full of 50 years of memories, mementos, and personal belongings that need to be organized before the property can go on the market. Michelle will do the work of setting aside what you want to keep, as well as cleaning out, donating, and sending pieces to consignment or to a family member or friend. The devil’s in the details Michelle knows that my clients rely on me for extensive advice and guidance before, during, and after buying or selling a home, which is why she’s one of the skilled vendors I turn to on a regular basis. Says Michelle, “Tracey is overly detailed with the needs of her clients, and I’m overly detailed with interiors and the systems inside the home.” From reviewing an architect’s plans and making sure a renovation will be feasible for re-sale in the future, to consulting on a client’s flip that’s already in process, Michelle and I work to get things right whether you’re buying or selling today – or a few years down the road.
Yes, Virtual Buying and Selling Can Be Stress-Free
“Tracey took over a long-distance sale, which I thought would be incredibly complicated, and made it nearly stress-free for me. She went above and beyond to manage repairs and be my person on the ground, while I was selling from another state. I cannot recommend Tracey enough.” – K.B. (Seller) In this day and age, it’s not unusual for clients to buy or sell a home remotely. Even before the pandemic, I had out-of-town clients who were looking to buy property in New Orleans and couldn’t be here in person. And I’ve worked with those who for business or personal reasons, had to sell their houses from afar. Life’s complicated, but buying or selling a home in New Orleans – even if you’re not here – doesn’t have to be. In both types of situations, sophisticated 3D floor plans, 360° degree views, and virtual tours that flow through every room of a house will give viewers a real feel for a home and show off its best characteristics. These are essential tools of the trade when it comes to buying or selling remotely, and I rely on them every day. But more importantly – I am my clients’ eyes and ears – communicating regularly, keeping them updated at all times, and covering all the bases. By working only with the best inspectors, everything is thoroughly documented with photos, so no surprises occur. Whether it’s scheduling virtual meetings, securing estimates, or managing repairs, I handle every situation and detail that arises, so that you can feel comfortable and in control. Need to buy, sell or invest remotely (without all the stress)? Take a deep breath, and get in touch today. I’m here to help. “Tracey is a consummate professional who offers a full service experience. We relied on her completely for an essentially remote house purchase. Tracey was able to coordinate all of the other professionals needed for the purchasing process. We consider ourselves lucky to have been referred to her.” – J. Herrick (Buyer) “Tracey made it happen for us! She gave great advice and was on it every step of the way.” – Adrienne (Buyer)
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