Pittsboro & Chapel Hill, NC
Giving Local Businesses the Lift They Deserve
A free, student-run project helping small businesses in our community get set up on social media, look professional online, and feel confident managing it themselves.
Pittsboro & Chapel Hill, NC
A free, student-run project helping small businesses in our community get set up on social media, look professional online, and feel confident managing it themselves.
About
Hi! I'm Averie, a high school junior in the Pittsboro and Chapel Hill area. I started The Local Lift Project because I kept noticing something that bugged me: the local spots I love, the diner where I eat breakfast, the place where I get my nails done, the restaurant my family goes to every week, they were barely showing up online. Meanwhile, big chains with huge marketing budgets were everywhere.
That didn't seem right. These businesses are the heart of our community, and the people who run them are too busy doing what they do best to worry about Instagram bios and TikTok videos.
So I decided to help. The Local Lift Project is my way of giving local businesses a hand with the online stuff. I'll set up your social media profiles, film a short video of your business, and teach you how to keep things going on your own. It's completely free, it's a community service project, and I genuinely care about seeing these businesses get the attention they deserve.
I can't do everything a marketing agency can, and I won't pretend to. But I can help increase your visibility when someone searches for you, make sure you look professional online, and be a real person behind it who's rooting for you.
Averie Boeckler
Founder, The Local Lift Project
Seaforth High School, Class of 2027
What We Do
We keep things simple. Here are three ways The Local Lift Project can help your business show up online.
If your business doesn't have social media yet, we'll get you set up on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with a real bio, your hours, contact info, all of it. Already have accounts that are half-finished or out of date? We'll clean those up too.
This one's fun. We come to your business, film a short 30 to 60 second video, and edit it into something you can post on social media, put on your website, or just text to customers. People want to see a place before they visit, and a quick video does that way better than a paragraph of text.
Not everyone wants someone else running their accounts, and that's totally fair. We'll sit down with you and go over the stuff that actually matters: taking decent photos on your phone, figuring out what to post, and handling comments and messages. By the end you should feel like you've got it handled.
About a month after we wrap up, we'll check back in to see how things are going. If you have questions, got stuck on something, or just want a second opinion on a post, we're here. We don't just hand things off and disappear.
Common Questions
Yes, 100%. The Local Lift Project is a community service project. There's no catch, no upsell, and no hidden fees. This is about giving back to the local businesses that make our community great.
Most projects take about 2 to 3 weeks from our first meeting to handing everything over. It depends on the scope, but we'll give you a clear timeline upfront so you know what to expect.
Just the basics about your business: what you do, your hours, contact info, and any photos or logos you already have. If you're starting from scratch on the visual side, we'll work with what we've got. The most important thing is your time for a quick kickoff conversation.
That's completely fine, and honestly, it's a big part of why this project exists. We'll walk you through everything step by step. You don't need any experience. Just bring a smartphone and a willingness to spend about 30 minutes learning the basics.
We work with a small number of businesses at a time so each one gets our full attention. Right now, we cap it at three projects going at once. If we're full when you reach out, we'll let you know and get you on the list for the next opening.
Giving Back
The Local Lift Project is a service project at heart. If a business we work with would like to pay it forward, we welcome donations to the organizations below. There is never any obligation, just an opportunity to give back even more to our community.
Leading the fight to end Alzheimer's through research, care, and support for affected families.
Why this matters to me
This charity has a special place in my heart because I have a family member affected by Alzheimer's. I can't imagine what so many other families go through, because this disease is truly heartbreaking. This organization provides care, support, and resources to families affected by Alzheimer's and dementia, helping them navigate difficult times and get the help they need.
Empowering students through hands-on entrepreneurship education and mentorship.
Why this matters to me
I grew up watching my family build businesses from scratch, so I know firsthand how valuable those skills are. NFTE gives students the same kind of hands-on experience, teaching them to think like entrepreneurs, solve real problems, and believe they can build something of their own. That mission really resonates with me.
Free mentoring and resources helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed.
Why this matters to me
Small businesses are what make our communities feel like home, and that's a big part of why I started The Local Lift Project. SCORE shares that belief. They provide free mentoring and resources to help entrepreneurs at every stage, from a first idea all the way through growing an established business. Their work strengthens local economies and creates real opportunity, and I'm proud to support that mission.
Get in Touch
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below and we'll reach out to set up a quick intro call. The questions help us understand where you're starting from so we're not going in blind.