Jeanne Britt, Co-owner & President of Towne Post Network, Inc., Embraces Joy & Gratitude
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Photographer / Amy Payne
Great things happen every day, all around us in our communities. Jeanne Britt and her husband Tom recognized that, so in 2004 they started Britt Interactive, LLC, which led to Towne Post Network, Inc,. wherein with their franchisees and staff they publish monthly community magazines that spotlight all things local.
“Connecting people and businesses in the community is a source of pride for us,” Jeanne says. “It’s our hope to bring a publication to readers’ coffee tables that is as enjoyable to read as it is filled with positive information showcasing all that makes each community great.”
The Britts initially operated their business out of a spare bedroom, with Tom focusing on sales, Jeanne managing the finances, and their small children folding and sealing the newsletters as they were back then – just six pages. As the company started to grow, the pair saw the potential for this model to work in other communities. Therefore, in 2015 they converted Towne Post to a franchise system. To date, they have 18 publications and 10 franchisees (some publishers own multiple territories).
“It’s been exciting,” says Jeanne, who has been working in the accounting side of the publishing industry for more than 25 years. “It was our hope to put out a publication that readers loved and held onto – not one they pitched into the recycling bin on their way from the mailbox through the garage.”
As president of Towne Post, Jeanne’s duties are numerous. She considers supporting Tom in business strategy, developing efficient processes, and the management and reporting of network franchise finances to be the foundation of her daily role. “The franchisees’ individual successes, as well the success of our network, is our top priority,” she says.
Though Jeanne considers herself to be a bit of an introvert, being part of the Towne Post team has helped to coax her out of her shell. As a result, she has been involved with a number of community events such as co-founding Vines for Life to benefit local cancer charities in Geist, and working with the Geist Half Marathon organizers in its early days.
Through the years, Jeanne has taken part in women-owned business groups, and has found that many women agree that the primary challenge most women face is striking a healthy work-life balance. “I love being a part of a community of women supporting one another,” she says. “I’m in awe of women business owners who do it all on their own. Balance seems to be the one thing that I’m consistently pursuing, and not just because I’m an accounting person.”
She resolves to place some focus each day on the areas of life that are most important to her, which include health, family, spirituality, creative development and socializing. Jeanne, an avid reader, is part of a neighborhood book club and has just become a Little Free Library steward, installing a book exchange in her front yard. She also loves painting and mosaic art, travel, yoga, and walking her dog, River.
“Over the past 18 years, this journey has given Tom and I the opportunity to work beside each other and with our family in our community, taught us the value of teamwork, brought us new friends, and taught us many valuable life lessons,” Jeanne says. “Mostly, however, it’s given us a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude.”
