“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” -Dolly Parton
One of the most inspiring aspects of being part of the Towne Post family is witnessing the remarkable contributions of our exceptional female publishers and leaders. This month, we’re sitting down with these dynamic women to get a closer look at what drives their success.
Jeanne Britt, Towne Post Network, Inc. Co-Owner and President
Jeanne Britt and her husband, Tom, recognized the need to showcase the uplifting things happening in the community. In 2004 they started Britt Interactive, LLC, with the atgeist.com Community Newsletter, which eventually became Geist Magazine and led to Towne Post Network coming to life. Twenty years and 19 publications later, it still remains a labor of love.
“Connecting people and businesses in the community is a source of pride for us,” Britt says. “We 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 Network, Inc. to a franchise system. “It has been so rewarding to bring the love for showcasing our community to our franchisees and see them grow in bringing the Towne Post Network mission of advocating for local businesses, being a positive voice, and a champion for the nonprofits in their communities,” Britt says.
Being part of the Towne Post Network family, she has been involved with many 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, Britt has taken part in women-owned business groups and has found that the primary challenge most women express is finding a healthy work-life balance. “I love being a part of a community of women supporting one another in that endeavor,” she says.
Alison Gatz, Fishers
Fishers has been home to me longer than any other place. Even though we have seen a lot of growth, I believe we can still have that small-town feeling when we feel connected. Local publishing is the perfect platform to bring residents, businesses and nonprofits together, so when the opportunity came available, I jumped at the chance! I have never worked in publishing before so there’s quite a bit of learning left to do, but our team and awesome advertisers make it so much easier.
My favorite part of the job is storytelling! I love telling the stories of the local businesses that have been around forever, the mom who finally expanded her garage business to a brick-and-mortar, the resident who spends all their free time supporting our first responders, nonprofits working endless hours to bridge the gap in services for residents, and the history of our growing city for newcomers to join in setting their roots. It’s a pretty cool gig!
Fredda Kovacs, Center Grove
I received the Towne Post Network community magazine for years and loved it. I always looked forward to a new monthly issue, as did my husband. It was the one publication that we fought over who would get to read it first. I’d always learn something new and interesting, whether it was a new restaurant or shopping spot, an interesting hidden-gem story about someone in the community, local organizations that positively impact our lives, things happening in and around town, and school-related information. The content was, and is, always local, relevant and timely.
My career is rooted in the media, dating back to my time in radio sales. I wasn’t actively seeking a change, but I found I wanted to be closer to the community I live in. Our hyper-local publications are a perfect platform to inform, engage, entertain, and have a positive impact on the community. It has allowed me to have more personal connections and interact one-on-one with advertisers while doing good in the community.
Lyndsey Brown, Carmel
As an extremely curious person, I’ve always been intrigued by the stories behind success. Questions such as: Who’s idea sparked an invention, and how did they use that idea to increase productivity or produce something for the greater good? What chain of events took place that brought someone from a position of seemingly impossible circumstances to a place of victory? How did these ideas grow and develop in the minds and efforts of passionate individuals? You might say I enjoy an underdog tale.
As publisher of Carmel Magazine, I have a unique opportunity to share these stories of our local leaders and business owners with the community. Celebrating the success of those who have taken up the challenges of owning and operating a business, supporting a valiant cause, or investing in a community is one of my greatest pleasures.
Kim Senkus, Kokomo/Tipton
I just want to tell everyone’s story. I want Kokomo to know the people behind the businesses, in the classrooms and in the community. Kokomo Magazine was launched to remind us how and why Kokomo truly is a great city! I loved growing up here. Marsh’s fresh donuts, Fred’s smooth voice, Hill’s fireworks, birthdays at Happy Joe’s, and the Russiaville ballpark made my childhood! I went to Purdue with many of these classmates and remain friends.
There is so much tradition in Kokomo. It’s a small enough town where people know who Hope is, but a large enough city to sustain a revitalization that now includes concerts in the park, farmer markets, bike paths, First Fridays, and festivals galore!
Mandi Lewandowski, The Lakes East and West
My husband, John, and I started The Lakes Magazine, a division of Towne Post Network, in 2019. When John first suggested starting our magazine, I thought he was crazy! We had just had a baby, were in the middle of building our dream home, and both had comfortable jobs, John in marketing and me as a registered nurse. However, owning The Lakes Magazine has allowed me to step away from the demanding hours of nursing and create my own schedule. The biggest reward has been spending more time at home with our son before he started kindergarten, and during the summers now that he’s in school.
The past five years as a magazine owner have brought me more joy than I ever imagined. We’ve been able to expand and now cover eight counties with The Lakes Magazine East and West editions. As an owner, my favorite part is featuring local businesses, organizations and individuals each month. I love getting a glimpse into their world, learning about their journeys from where they started to where they are today, and sometimes even hearing about their plans for the future. It’s incredible to see their dreams come to life.
Personally, the most rewarding experience is handing someone a copy of the magazine in which they’re featured. Seeing their excitement and the feeling of being a local celebrity is hard to put into words. The magazine has given me the opportunity to meet and develop working relationships with many wonderful people, all while learning about their new products, businesses and organizations. It’s an honor to help share their goods and services with our local communities and sometimes beyond.
