I believe every job, big or small, prepares you for your future self. Whether it be waiting tables, sewing alterations for a vintage shop, or working as a logistics coordinator, there are skills that I have mindfully collected that serve me daily and have prepared me for my new role. Being asked to step into the shoes of my mentor and friend Tami Turner as the next publisher of City Magazine feels a bit daunting, but I know each step in my path has readied me for this one. What an incredible opportunity it is to be writing to you today in the front of this well-planned, beautifully-styled, community-driven publication that so many talented people have spent years building.
And what an incredible time it is for Jefferson City! We came together to rebuild after last spring’s devastating tornado, and it became clear that a few cracks to our exterior were minor compared to our foundation underneath. Entrepreneurship is growing and new talent is popping up regularly. From the art of baking at High Rise to the sounds of local voices coming through loud and clear in our music scene to our creative doers building small empires like My Fair Ellie, we’re a mix of people trying something new, with friends and family cheering us on. Our community is stronger than ever. This is our moment.
The entrepreneurial spirit is a topic near and dear to my heart. I had a feeling I’d be my own boss someday, and now I’m a five-time entrepreneur, and it’s because of entrepreneurs like Jeannie Moore, owner at Modern Litho, Hallie Gibbs, founder of Modern Business Systems, and Junior and Judy Dietzel, owners at Bee Seen Signs, who’ve worked hard and paved the way in this town to make my dream possible.
I want to give a special thanks to Holly Stitt at the Historic City of Jefferson, Mary Beth at Dillards, and Kent at NH Scheppers for your generosity as we planned our first issue under new ownership. Your support to our small business will always be remembered!
Janelle Haley, Kate Morrow, Sarah Bohl, and I are proud to show you what we’ve been working on since taking over the magazine in May 2019 from the Business Times Company. City Magazine is officially locally owned and operated, friends! We are armed with experience, community involvement, and the support of our partners in advertising featured in this magazine. We’re ecstatic for you to get settled in and spend some time reading the pages of our first issue. Grab a cup of coffee, tea, water, lemonade — whatever you fancy — and enjoy the stories and photography.
Missy Creed McFerron, Publisher