Growing up in Anchor Point as a precocious and involved youngster, I was often the recipient of local support. Whether it was the local businesses sponsoring my run for Rodeo Queen or receiving the Elks and Realtor Scholarships as a Senior in High School, community backing was ever present. My involvement in the Equine and Agricultural Industry over the next two decades would teach me a great deal about working together and supporting the next generation. 

After I married, had children and began building Coastal Realty in Washington, it quickly became clear to me that advertising and marketing came at an incredibly high cost. Many of our clients own small businesses, run farms, or have nonprofits and I have always struggled with the idea that we would have such a large expense that would not directly touch our local businesses. Remembering my childhood, and the Have a Heart Program my parents (Coastal Realty) implemented over the years, I started holding back a percentage of each commission and combining it with our advertising budget to sponsor and support local charitable endeavors. It was hard not to invest initially in online lead generation, but I believed that building my business this way, on a grass roots level, would be meaningful and successful. 

I am proud of the fact that over the years we have said yes to everything from animal rescues, supporting the arts, domestic violence organizations and recovery nonprofits, to sponsoring horse shows, fairs and 4-H and FFA programs. We have booths at the local fairs, street fairs and events. We sponsor Realtor events that help to protect our client’s interests. If it is a worthy cause, I always try and find a way to say yes. I make sure to frame the conversation with the organization or individual that we make these contributions because the community supports our business, and it is a way that we can both market our business and support worthy causes at the same time. It is a true win-win. To me, business and philanthropy need not be separate, and as a Realtor I believe that is my duty to help build strong communities. 

In 2019 we slowly began the merging of the Washington and Alaska branches of Coastal Realty, and it has felt extremely rewarding to have been able to offer a new annual scholarship to a graduating senior from Anchor Point, to sponsor the Anchor Point Youth King Salmon Derby Champion and to sponsor the Peninsula Horseman’s Association. This summer we are excited to host the first annual Concert on the Green in Anchor Point, with all proceeds to benefit the Lisa Halverson Foundation (children and education) and the Anchor Point Food Bank. I want to give special recognition to our clients, because it truly is their loyal support and shared belief that allows us to adopt this business model. I feel grateful to be raising my children in a community where philanthropy and community involvement is commonplace. 

Allison Trimble Paparoa is a native of Anchor Point, and is the owner and managing broker for Coastal Realty