Our Story
In 2009, I had 60 days of unemployment left, a terminal brain tumor diagnosis, and pure determination. I was a single mother, and my unemployment check was half of my mortgage.
And here's the thing: 2009 was not an easy time to start a business. The country was in a recession. Houses were being foreclosed on left and right. Businesses were struggling. It was a hard time for everyone.
But I launched a community gift basket advertising agency anyway, with one simple goal: 60 sponsors in 60 days.
And I did it.
Sixty local businesses said yes, even during one of the worst economic times, because they understood the value of connecting with new homeowners who had the means to purchase homes. Most of the service contractors took two or all three territories.
I beat the odds in more ways than one that year.
I ran three territories in southeastern Wisconsin. Even during the worst of the recession, when businesses everywhere were struggling, I was pulling in good money right off the bat. The system worked immediately because new homeowners who could afford to buy during that economic crisis were ready to spend, and local businesses were desperate to connect with qualified customers.
The Very First Delivery – December 2009
3 Months Later – March 2010
Still Going Strong
How It Grew
Two years later, as I was delivering a basket to a new homeowner, his sister was there visiting. She begged me to bring this program to her area.
That's when the home-based welcome basket business really expanded.
I wrote the program, refined the system, created professional templates and training materials, and sold it to her. Quickly, I had many other people in Illinois and Wisconsin asking for it before I even advertised it. I put a half-page ad in Small Business Magazine and a half-page ad in Home Business Magazine.
Then it took off.
I began selling the work-from-home business opportunity under the name Celebrate Home in 2011, and sold numerous exclusive territories across 36 states, all over Canada, and even Australia.
Here's what Celebrate Home cost:
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Digital business kit: $1,295
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Each exclusive territory: $2,000
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Minimum investment: $3,295 (kit + 1 territory)
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Average sale: $5,295 (kit + 2 territories)
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Largest sale: $13,295 (kit + multiple territories)
The response was overwhelming. Entrepreneurs everywhere saw what I saw: a chance to build recurring income while strengthening their communities.
The Heartbreak
Early on, I achieved Better Business Bureau A+ accreditation, which was not easy for this type of business model. The BBB personally called all 115 of my dealers to verify their experiences before granting accreditation. The feedback was outstanding.
But they weren't launching their businesses.
They had invested thousands of dollars, and most of them simply didn't take action.
Then 2020 happened. COVID. The pandemic hit. My original three exclusive territories in southeastern Wisconsin kept running right through the pandemic, but no one else was actively running their programs. By the end of 2020, absolutely no one renewed their annual exclusive territory agreements. The dream I had worked so hard to share with others was slipping away.
The truth is, the system worked. The problem was that people weren't working the system.
They had everything they needed: the templates, the training, and unlimited free support. I gave them my personal phone number and told them to call with any questions, anytime, day or night. But the phone stayed silent. Crickets. For whatever reason, they just weren't getting off the couch and launching.
And then, at the end of 2020, I became legally blind, suddenly, without warning.
A New Vision
Losing my vision could have been the end of this story. But I refused to let this program die.
I looked at what I had created and I knew something: this concept is too good to let die. There is little to no competition, especially with this type of home-based business model using door-buster gift certificates and gifts. Yes, there are many postcard companies that mail to new homeowners, including Welcome Wagon. People remember them fondly. But because they had to deliver to so many homes, they couldn't give door-buster gifts like we do. None of these competitors can help local businesses the way we do by giving out door-buster gifts and gift certificates to actually get customers in the door.
This business model works. It helps local businesses connect with qualified customers. It helps new homeowners feel welcomed. It helps nonprofit organizations. It creates recurring income for the person running it. And it strengthens communities.
I discovered AI accessibility technology that allowed me to continue working despite my vision loss. As I learned these new tools, something remarkable happened. I realized AI could help me make the entire system 100 times better than Celebrate Home ever was.
I refined the templates. I improved the sales copy. I streamlined the training. I included copy-and-paste, time-saving ways to use AI as your assistant. I made everything clearer, easier, and more effective.
And I slashed the price to $647. Half of what I previously sold the kit for alone.
No territory fees. No annual fees. No royalties. No ongoing costs. Just one investment, and 100% of the profits go into your pocket.
Why I'm Doing This
I felt horrible that people had invested thousands of dollars and weren't taking action. So I made a decision: clean slate. I created a comprehensive low-cost startup business kit at a price that removes every excuse.
I want people to actually get out there, launch this home-based welcome basket business, and just do it.
Because I know this system works. I've seen it work in my own community. My three original territories in southeastern Wisconsin that I started in 2009 are still going strong today. They're the only ones still thriving and growing stronger every single day. I've watched businesses in these territories flourish because of these welcome baskets. I've seen new homeowners light up when they receive them. I've watched these three communities grow stronger year after year.
The system works. People just need to work it.
And here's the truth: it's really not that hard. You just have to work. It's a fun job. You're working for yourself. You make your business your own. Slow and steady. You've got to do a push in the beginning, but after that it's slow and steady.
The woman I started this business with back in 2009 is still running those three original southeastern Wisconsin territories today. Still thriving, still banking bucks. That's the power of consistency and actually working the system.
My Background
People ask how I was able to create such a comprehensive system. My background in graphics, printing, and administration gave me the skills to design everything from the logo to the contracts to the spreadsheets. But honestly? It was the determination to help others succeed that drove me to make every template, every script, every piece of this kit as perfect as possible.
Through AI accessibility technology, I've been able to continue refining these materials and make them even better for Hometown Hello. My creative designs will have you looking professional from day one. And as we all know, it's ALL about image!
"Detail is EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING is in the Details."
— Dawn, CEO and Founder
I’m holding the original sales basket that launched everything in fall 2009.
Today
I'm the sole owner of Hometown Hello, and I'm committed to helping entrepreneurs build thriving, community-based businesses from home.
In 2016, I sold my three local territories to the woman I had started the business with back in 2009. She's still running them today, and those three southeastern Wisconsin territories are still thriving in those communities. Proof that this business plan works when you work it.
This isn't a franchise. There are no royalties. You own your business completely.
What you have here is a complete branded done-for-you system for entrepreneurs who want to grow their community and their bank accounts. The templates are done. The training is here. The roadmap is clear.
Here's what you need to succeed: determination, a heart for your community, and consistency. That's it.
This home-based business changed my life during the worst recession in modern history.
Now the question is: will you work it?
I built this business as a single mother with 60 days of unemployment left and a terminal diagnosis. If I can do this, so can you.
The only question is: will you?
Welcome to Hometown Hello. Let's build your community together.