As a typical New Yorker, Gina Giannone did not know most of her apartment neighbors.
More than 20 years ago, she moved to Connecticut. She rented in Westport, then bought in Greenfield Hill. She discovered she liked land, and quiet.
But she still didn’t know her neighbors.
One day, she received Greenfield Hill Neighbors in the mail. The magazine was all about people doing interesting things — right in her (metaphorical) back yard.
Today, she knows many neighbors — and not just in Greenfield Hill.
That’s because she owns Hello Neighbors, which publishes Westport Coastal Neighbors, Fairfield Coastal Neighbors, Greenfield Hill Neighbors and Easton Neighbors.
Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall was on a recent cover of Westport Coastal Neighbors.
The magazines mix stories about families, events and non-profits, with sponsored content.
(The difference between “sponsors” and “advertisers,” Giannone says, is that “sponsors care about their community. Advertisers just want to sell.”)
The company that owns Hello Neighbors has determined that 4,000 homes is the sweet spot for reader engagement. That’s why it’s “Coastal Westport Neighbors,” and not just “Westport Neighbors.”
So if you haven’t seen Coastal Westport, you’re probably not close enough to the coast.
Giannone hopes to add another “Country Westport Neighbors” soon.
Meanwhile, she is learning a lot about Westport: the people here, the generous spirit, the arts heritage, the strong “moms” network, and more.
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Gina Giannone, enjoying her work.
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