Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Barlow
Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Loveland, actually. Back then it was a sleepy little town. I moved to Pittsburgh for college where I majored in theater and minored in journalism. After years of working in media in Pittsburgh–magazines, a television station and an advertising agency my husband and I decided to move back to Loveland with our young daughter. I really missed working so started looking for a part-time job in media and PR. I can across a post about an editor position for a new magazine launching in Loveland so I applied and got it. It was for Loveland Lifestyle. I met with the publisher and we discussed article ideas for the first issue. A month later due to some unforeseen circumstance the original publisher had move back to North Carolina and it looked like the magazine wasn’t going to launch. I was so disappointed. Loveland was beginning a true Renaissance as the town was rebuilding after a devastating fire destroyed a row of buildings in the historic district and I knew that something spectacular was going to rise from those ashes (and it did), and I wanted to cover it all in the magazine. So after a lot of thinking and more thinking I took a leap of faith and took over a the publisher. I brought on the rest of the advertising dollars needed to launch, hired m editor and in November 2018 our first issue hit mailboxes. The magazine has grown along with the town. As new restaurants, boutiques and breweries opened we increased our page count to cover it all!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. In the beginning when I was working on launching people weren’t sure if the magazine would do well or even what the vision was for the magazine so I really had to work hard to convince people we were here to stay. I popped into businesses, shoot hands, sent emails, made calls, attended events each week to try and get my name out there. 2020 was also a difficult year. Many of our partners who advertised in the magazine were small business and COVID hit them especially hard. I remember reaching out to all of my partners the day it was announced that businesses had to close if they weren’t essential. I said I would work with everyone to ensure we road out this storm together. We even changed the content of the next issue so that all of the articles and ads offered messages of hope and support. It was a powerful issue!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I look back on my journey over the years I really believe all paths were leading me to where I am now. Majoring in theater prepared me for pitches, presentations and public speaking. I find myself connecting with ease when I meet with someone. Adding the minor in journalism in college connected me with my first love again—writing. I also interned with a local magazine while I was in college and ended up being hired a year after graduation. It was a this job I learned I loved marketing and advertising. After the magazine I worked for a local television station and finally landed at a full-service marketing and advertising agency. Media sales and marking were my life working for that agency and that experience has served me well when it comes to brining on new partners for the magazine. All of these jobs sharpened various skills but also taught me how to listen, be a good leader, build a team that is the right fit and to always be grateful for those who support you. I love the my team. My editor, writers, photographers, social media coordinator and sales support director are so talented and love this magazine as much as I do.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think taking over this magazine was a big risk. At the time the magazine launch had been pushed back month after month and the partners who had signed on before I took over were understandably frustrated. I had to mend a lot of relationships and really convince people to stick with me. I had to prove myself and I didn’t stop pushing forward ever until the first issue was in my hands. Now 6 years later I love having people stop me and tell me how much they love the magazine. How they keep each issue or always have it on their coffee table. I know we’ve been able to make a difference and I am so thankful we get to share so many incredible stories with readers. It was a risk I’m so glad I took!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://citylifestyle.com/loveland
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelandlifestylemagazine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovelandLifestyle
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-barlow-7b5bb735/
