Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Pulverente.
Hi Sherry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Mt. Pleasant townie to my core. My family has roots here that extend back before 1900. To say that Mt. Pleasant is my home would be an understatement. My grandparents and my parents were both small business owners. I grew up with that small town, small business mindset and always understood exactly what went into owning and running your own small business. I think many people think owning a small business is just all fun, but it’s not. There are so many different parts and pieces that make a small business a success — and it’s hard! I learned early in life that owning a small business often times involves the entire family. I also learned that building community, connecting with others and just being a good human will help your small business grow.
Small businesses are the flavor of the community. They are the heart and soul. I will argue that a small business owner is a beautiful dreamer with a grit and determination that is unmatched. It is admirable beyond words. Small Business owners are often times people who have had their ideas fail multiple times but didn’t give up. Those mis attempts just fueled them to tweak their business model and come back stronger and sharper with the next try. These are my kind of people.
I knew I wanted to help small businesses. I knew I wanted to help build up my community. Keepin’ it Local in the 989 was originally born in 2012. The concept was there; spread the word about great locally owned places & get people to go there. It’s just a Facebook page. But it’s somehow more. In recent years, I had let the Facebook page fizzle. I had other work and it just sat. Plus, if I was going to relaunch the 989, I needed to make it my business. In February or March of 2025 I just kept catching myself thinking about Keepin’ it Local in the 989. I had the followers, I had marketing skills, I had graphic & video skills, I had community roots and I had a massive passion for my community. What in the world was I waiting for? I spend so much time encouraging others to follow their dreams and utilize their skills, it was probably time I took my own advice. In April of 2025, I relaunched Keepin’ it Local in the 989. This time, though, it was my own small business. The concept was simple; small businesses sign on as 989 Small Business Members and for $1.10 a day, I tell my followers about them. For $33 a month I keep shining a light on their work. The page took off. In 5 months, I gained 6,000 new followers to my 13,000 that were already there. In September, Keepin’ it Local in the 989 hit 20,000 followers and it just keeps climbing. As of today, mid October, I’m just shy of 22,000 followers. The interest has been wild, but I felt the concept was solid, I just needed to be brave enough to jump.
The price is low. Probably woefully low, but it’s mutually beneficial. Small Businesses need affordable marketing that hits their audience and I can offer just that. Keepin’ it Local in the 989 is the very definition of community building.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a small business is never smooth. I smiled reading that question. The struggles for me has been being brave or bold enough to jump. Also, Keepin’ it Local in the 989 has grown so fast and the interest has been both humbling & exciting. It often feels like I’m still building the track as the train is already coming down the track. I’m currently serving 59 locally owned businesses.
59 have joined as 989 Small Business Members since May.
The challenge is to keep everyone happy with their service and continue to dream up new, fresh and interesting ways to keep the community engaged with small businesses. It’s a lot of plates spinning at the same time!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Keepin’ it Local in the 989?
I specialize in offering extremely affordable marketing & advertising to locally owned businesses in the 989 area code.
$33 a month ($1.10 a day) gets you 3 posts per week on my Keepin’ it Local in the 989 platform (just shy of 22,000 followers).
What sets me apart is the affordability. I know that advertising can be outrageously expensive. I also know that small businesses often times need the exposure the most, but the cost is just out of reach.
Keepin’ it Local in the 989 is also a group of people who have already expressed an interest in their community and supporting small businesses. Placing your ad on my page quite literally hits your targeted audience.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
That’s a great question! Honestly, I suspect AI will beat me out eventually, but for now I’m going to keep connecting with small businesses and my community. I’m not sure AI quite has the same heart as I do.
Pricing:
- $33 a month (3 month commitment)
- I then follow the small business and share their content & concept or products & services. I pull pictures and do my best to influence people to go to their businesses. I handle their social media marketing so they can focus on running their business.
Contact Info:
