The Insider Then and Now
Celebrating Our Second Anniversary and Evolution into the Coastal Insider by Melissa LaScaleia It’s been two very full years since we published our first edition of the Insider at the Market Common. And we’re celebrating our achievements this month by sharing with you the story of our journey from then to now. The concept of the Insider began in 2016, but the vision began much earlier. “People who know me know that I’ve been in this community for a long time,” says Jim Parker, the co-founder of the paper and co-owner of Real Living Home Realty Group in the Market Common. “I was stationed here with the Air Force from 1978 through 1983, and I’ve been living here ever since. After moving to the Market Common in 2008, I found myself being asked on a regular basis about what was happening here— the events and places to go spend your time, as well as my opinion on real estate opportunities in the area. “The Market Common has had a really good vibe from the outset, but I found there was no delivery method to get the message out about what was happening when and where, or about the economic development of the area.” Just another day at the Insider office. Round table talks, good-natured humor, laughs and smiles, and of course, Charlie. John Jobson, Jim’s business partner and co-owner of Real Living Home Realty Group and the Insider, shares: “There were so many different moving parts to the Market Common, but it was like the parts didn’t talk—they overlapped. We saw the Market Common more as a whole, rather than parts. The city had things going on, but nobody knew the schedule. The restaurants had events but nobody knew; developers were doing things, but nobody knew what they were doing. We started the Insider as a publication to connect with the community in a way that we felt wasn’t available— to demonstrate that we are the market experts, and that means we support a cohesive, informed community. We don’t just have our heads stuck in real estate and numbers. People matter. And a community is made up of people, not just buildings.” Jim and his daughter, Megan Parker, started working on the concept and design together in January 2016. “In life, timing means everything,” Jim says. “I’m fortunate that Megan is talented in graphic design and photography, and she was exiting a five year career and looking for a change. After thinking the idea through, I realized that if I was ever going to create a publication, it should be now.” Charlie gives Melissa some tips on an article spread. – Initially both Jim and John thought they would create a small newsletter. But after a few months of seeing how it was unfolding, they realized they had a lot to say, and that they were going to need a writer. Megan and Jim were connected with Melissa LaScaleia, who had a professional writing background. She was on board from day one. “Everything just kind of fell into place,” Jim says. “If I hadn’t had a daughter with that skill set, we wouldn’t have moved forward with this venture. And we were fortunate to know Melissa. It just continued to take on a life of its own, and we never looked back. Our first edition was twelve pages, and today it’s forty-eight plus our sixteen page real estate insert.” “I appreciate the opportunity to create something from nothing every single month,” says Melissa of her experience at the Insider. “I like that the Insider is a platform to share all the beautiful things people are doing in our community as well as the beautiful things they stand for. At a time when we are bombarded with so much negativity from the media, I’m grateful to be a voice that shares stories of what is good and simple and true. In my writing, I try to capture the personality behind the business storefront to answer the, ‘Why this? Why here?’ because that makes a person’s story real and relatable to others. I’ve met such incredible people through the Insider, both in the office and outside of it. I just have so much fun doing what I do.” “Starting out, I was excited about meeting more of the community, and to be able to connect to them daily has been rewarding,” says Megan of her experience with the Insider. “When we’re featuring a business, it’s my duty to showcase them in the best light possible— to communicate with the readers visually. It’s my job to bring color and paint the picture of their business through photographs and design.” Latoya connects with Cindy Bright while Charlie seizes the chance for some extra lovin’. For some, the idea of real estate brokers starting a community publication might seem odd, but for Jim and John, it’s integral to their business identity. “We’ve been in the brokerage industry our entire careers,” John says. “And we started a new company in the Market Common because of the opportunities we saw here. We formed the identity of this real estate brokerage company around our values of community. We saw a need in this area for a local publication that contains relevant information that is applicable to the community and to real estate. We tell life stories, we incorporate what is happening with restaurants, with festivals, new and old businesses, big chains, and small stores— we weave the fabric of our local culture through the stories we tell. The real estate business and business in general is about relationships. Our industry connects to so many different parts of the community around us.” “We currently have over sixty-five businesses advertising with us,” says Jim, “and 85% of them have long term agreements. Many have been with us from day one. It’s exciting for us to hear how they benefitted from our publication. It’s rewarding to know that we’re helping to build their business at the same time as ours.” … Read more
