Jacqulyn Paneque isn’t a big fan of online community forums. Why? Because once people are situated in front of a computer screen, they tend to forget they’re sharing information with actual human beings. “They can be kind of bullyish, in my opinion, in some of those online community forums,” Jacqulyn shared.

Thankfully, Jacqulyn’s Greet magazine, Greet Mercer Island, brings humanity back to the forefront. It tells the stories of the real human beings living on Washington state’s Mercer Island, without delving into politics, religion, and other polarizing topics. No bullying allowed.

A Major Expansion

Jacqulyn has been part of Mercer Island’s “publishing scene” since 2013, when she launched an N2 neighborhood publication called Mercer Island Living. Her magazine initially covered only the south end of the island. “Right off the bat, that pretty much upset the north end of the island, so I had to restructure it,” Jacqulyn explained.

Even with the restructuring, most residents still didn’t receive the magazine – or even know it existed. But Jacqulyn had a dream of expanding circulation to the entire island, and that dream finally came true with the launch of Greet Mercer Island in the summer of 2022. “Now it’s going to every home and condo on the island,” Jacqulyn said. “It increased the distribution by about four times what was being sent before.”

Supporting Worthy Causes

One of the things Jacqulyn likes best about her Greet magazine is it allows her to introduce a variety of nonprofits to the Mercer Island community. And that community certainly is positioned to help those nonprofits. Situated at the center of Lake Washington – between Seattle and Bellevue – Mercer Island is known not only for its safety and excellent schools, but also for its well-heeled residents. According to realtor.com, the median listing price for a Mercer Island home was $2.6 million in July 2022.

Jacqulyn (right) is pictured with President Obama’s sister, Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, at a Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship fundraiser.

Among the nonprofits Jacqulyn has introduced via the magazine is Stolen Youth, which offers resources to youth who have been impacted by human trafficking in the Pacific Northwest. She also employed the magazine to provide information about the Stanley Ann Dunham Scholarship Fund. Named after President Obama’s mother, who graduated from Mercer Island High School, the fund fuels scholarships aiming “to empower young women to be leaders and active world citizens through education and service.”

Those two organizations are so dear to Jacqulyn’s heart that she also joined their boards. “And I’ve worked with them to get exposure to the community,” she said.

Fellow Area Director Lindsay Rucker (left) is pictured with Jacqulyn at a Stolen Youth fundraiser.

No Negativity Here

The magazine’s sense of humanity and positive portrayal of local residents is an advertiser draw, too. “Going online, you’re running the risk of being put in a position where there’s so much negativity; you don’t want to be negatively associated with things that are hot topics,” Jacqulyn said. “So this just keeps them in front of their target market.”

Jacqulyn boasts a very loyal clientele. In fact, some clients have been in the picture for her entire Mercer Island run. They love the community. The fact that their target market is highly engaged in the magazine’s content doesn’t hurt, either. “It’s just a very affordable way to reach their target market in a medium that’s actually being read,” Jacqulyn stressed.

That said, it’s important to Jacqulyn that any advertisers she signs on are quality clients – businesses she would recommend to her own mom and dad. “I look at my residents as my family, and my family [are] the most important people to me,” she said. “So if these advertisers are going to be in front of my residents, they’re going to be there because I trust them enough, I like them enough, and it’s a good-enough fit to allow that.”

Consistency Meets High Standards

In Jacqulyn’s view, the fact that Greet is an N2 product is yet another positive for advertisers – and for readers, too. There’s a consistency to the company’s Greet publications across the country, and the standards are “high across the board.” That means no negative or political content. “This country is so divided right now, and I just feel like it’s a medium to unite people again,” Jacqulyn said.

And because N2 actually “walks the walk” and “talks the talk,” Jacqulyn’s role on Greet Bedford – as well as Stroll Madison Park, the neighborhood magazine she launched right before the pandemic hit – is more enjoyable, too. The company practices what it preaches when it comes to work / life balance, giving back to the community, and more. “They’re the real deal,” Jacqulyn stressed.

Looking for a work-from-home sales role that helps you impact your community? Become a Greet Area Director.