Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rockstar. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was Raised with Real Estate™ her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada.
A successful business isn’t built in isolation. Businesses that serve smaller communities rely heavily on local connections and knowledge. Community involvement is a crucial way to learn, stay engaged, and give back to the people and places you serve. This involvement, in turn, allows entrepreneurs to connect with and support future clients. For me, servicing the community through your business and engaging in community service are inherently linked. However, this community service must come from an honest place, not driven by an ulterior motive to boost your business.
Be genuine
Giving back to the community has always been central to who I am, how I run my business, and how I parent my children. Whenever we volunteer, fundraise, or host an event—whether business-related or not—I always try to involve my kids. Their teacher emphasizes the importance of seeing the impact they can make when giving back without expecting anything in return.
This is a crucial lesson for all entrepreneurs to remember: when engaging in community volunteer work or making donations, it must come from the intention of bettering the community without expecting anything in return. While there can be benefits to your business, approaching these acts of service with a self-serving agenda can be counterproductive, disingenuous, and even harmful to your business if it gives off the wrong impression.
Conscientious community work can help people thrive and lead better lives. Moreover, it can make you a better person, which in turn can make you a better leader, parent, and entrepreneur.
A personal story of impact
Recently, I received a call from a woman who was seeking help in obtaining donations for expecting mothers. She shared a heartbreaking story about pregnant women in our community who were sleeping in ditches. My heart sank. I thought, "Oh my gosh, this is happening in our backyard—what can I do about this?" I immediately made a few calls and started a fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of others, we’ve now raised over $20,000 in donations to help these women in need.
This experience reminded me of the power we have to make a difference, even when the problems seem overwhelming. It’s not just about the big gestures; sometimes, the smallest actions can have the greatest impact.
Get to know people and learn
Engaging in community service goes beyond just contributing time or resources—it’s an opportunity to genuinely connect with people in your community. You get to understand the issues affecting your fellow community members and learn what’s important to them. By building relationships with those who live and work around you, you create trust and meaningful connections.
When clients see that your business is not only present but actively involved in the community, they’re more likely to feel a personal connection to you and your business. It also leaves a positive impression on potential clients. By showing that your market is more than just a place you work—that you’re committed to and care about the community—you deepen your ties to the people and place where you work and enhance your local knowledge as an entrepreneur.
Know that community service is ongoing
Community service isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continuous commitment that evolves with the needs of the community. By consistently engaging in local initiatives and maintaining an active presence, your business demonstrates a genuine, long-term dedication to making a positive impact. This commitment also helps you grow both as a person and a leader in the community.
Ongoing involvement keeps your business top-of-mind for clients who value companies committed to meaningful, sustained contributions, while also strengthening your ties with the local community.
Call to action: Start small, make a big difference
Staying involved helps you stay connected and ultimately make a bigger impact on people’s lives. If you're not already involved, consider finding a local cause that resonates with you. Start small—whether it's volunteering a few hours or sponsoring a community event. The impact you make could be greater than you ever imagined.
What I’ve learned is that you never know who you are helping. I know at times I feel discouraged because I always want to make a bigger impact on a larger scale, but what I’ve come to realize is that smaller impacts add up over time and can make just as much of a difference.
As an entrepreneur and business owner in my local community, I recognize the importance of helping others. I believe that giving back to the community gives back to us entrepreneurs, in more ways than we can imagine.
Jessica Hastings-Lesperance, Realtor®, Director of Operations, Co-Owner
Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rock star. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was Raised with Real Estate™ her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada. Jessica is an inspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and published author. She has been featured on major media outlets including podcasts and real estate TV talk shows and has been published in various magazines. Recently, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors for 2023 by Impact Magazine.
