By Megan Sprague

Suzanne Meyer and the Welcome Committee are greeting new Lake Norman families with a personal touch.

“It’s based on the concept that the old Welcome Wagon had,” said Meyer, who used to work for the business. “It sold its name in 1998 to a company in New York. They do mail order, but it doesn’t have that personal feel.”

The staff of Welcome Committee poses for a photo. The women are able to work out of their homes, paying visits to new families moving into the Lake Norman area. Megan Sprague photo

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Meyer said she missed the face-to-face interaction, so she contacted other former Welcome Wagon employees and formed a new advertising business that greets newcomers.

“All of us work in the community where we live, because the best way to find newcomers is seeing U-Hauls or boxes in our neighborhoods,” she said. “We also keep track of residential closings and look in the newspaper as well, so we can look for people to greet.”

Meyer said she can relate to the concerns of a Lake Norman transplant because she, too, was once new to the area.

“About 13 years ago, I moved to Huntersville and I remember how I felt,” she said. “I had no friends or family in the area, two babies and my husband was at work. I felt isolated and didn’t know where I could go.”

She said a Welcome Wagon lady stopped by and brought a schedule of children’s activities for the library, and “plugged her into the community.”

“I knew nothing about Huntersville, and it was so nice to talk to a fellow mom,” Meyer said. “I was hooked up with playgroups and, after her visit, I knew this was what I wanted to do. This was my new life mission.”

Meyer worked for the Welcome Wagon for 3½ years before the name was sold, and it “gave so much joy.“

“After they closed, I was encouraged to start my own welcome service, so I was able to take 10 or 12 of the former Wagon sponsors and I am so lucky that many of them are still with me today.”

The Welcome Committee members work out of their homes and are able to set their own hours, making it the perfect job for a mom like herself.

“There’s no sense in renting space when our homes work perfectly,” she said. “It’s also very flexible. Between all 10 of us, we have 20 children, from 19 months to 17 years old. It’s great that if my kids are sick, I don’t have to call in; I can take off the time I need.”

Employees have monthly goals as to the number of visits they need to make, but are free to make those visits whenever they can.

“Being a mom just means I need to be organized,” she said as to how she juggled both of her jobs. “Every night I make a to-do list and prioritize. If I know that I need to pick up my kids from school, I don’t schedule a meeting that day. The most important thing is my family.

“Housecleaning is usually last on the list,” she added with a laugh.

The Welcome Committee covers from Exit 18 to Troutman on I-77, and counts Huntersville, Cornelius and Denver in its area.

“We do 260 visits a month,” she said. “There’s so many growing communities.”

When the committee members stop by, they don’t arrive empty-handed. They bring a basket filled with goodies to help people discover their new surroundings.

“We have a wide variety of businesses that participate,” Meyer said. “One thing, off the top of my head, is a marina that does a free boat rental. It’s so nice, because all you have to do is pay for gas, and they give you a map. What a nice way to welcome someone and you get to see the best of the area.”

She also mentioned half-off haircuts and styling at salons and discounts on auto inspections.

And local residents aren’t the only ones taking notice of the Welcome Committee’s hard work.

Meyer’s business was ranked 14th among the top 25 best places to work, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

“We went to the luncheon a few weeks ago, and we were the only home-based operation out of 64 businesses,” she said. “We were up there with Time Warner and major real estate professionals.
“I started this on my own, so it’s so nice to get recognized.”
Her company was also featured on http://www.msn.com/business in the first annual “Home Based 100” list.

As for why her business has been successful, she says it’s really about the little extra touches.

“When you get a welcome packet in the mail, you can’t ask it questions,” she said. “People want to know ‘Where’s the DMV?’ and ‘Where do you go to register to vote?’

“We live in your neighborhood, and our one visit can make such a difference. You feel more connected, and that’s what it’s all about.”

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