The Publisher’s Perspective

Headshot by CARRIE ALLEN

Is this cover beautiful or what? Was it a challenge to capture a quickly changing sunset? Absolutely. Was it worth the effort? Without a doubt! It feels surreal to see my dream come to life through this magazine. Here we are, one year into this journey, and it has not only met, but surpassed my wildest hopes and expectations. Check out a fun reflection of this past year on page 58.

One of my early encounters last fall was with Dustin Keith, the owner of The Landing Restaurant. While the initial meeting ended on a promising note, there was no immediate commitment. But I don’t back down easily. I diligently delivered magazines month after month, and persistently checked in. What ultimately tipped the scales? I can’t be sure – was it my relentless determination, the magazine’s quality, or perhaps a combination of both?

If you haven’t experienced The Landing restaurant yet, it’s high time you did. You’ll see major transformations, it has always been a personal favorite for my family, and I encourage you to pay a visit and witness the changes firsthand. Company coming for a visit? Book a sunset cruise for your upcoming guests and relish the journey with Dustin’s Island Vibes Charter business. Sit back, unwind, and let Dustin and his team work their magic. Find the full story on page 26. I want to give a huge shout-out to my dear friend, Jon Eric Johnson (JEJ Photos), for capturing those stunning photographs that grace our pages and this month’s cover.

Let’s also extend a warm welcome to a few new partners. I’m certain most are familiar with Epic Chophouse, check out a preview of a behind-the-scenes experience with Amanda Loren Studios who captured what to expect for Bourbon Heritage Month at Epic Chophouse this month. A big welcome to Allbertine Florals, Wine & Gifts. They offer so much more than just exquisite florals; check out their story on page 40 to learn more. We are excited to have Nick from Mi Amiche in Mooresville, who not only has amazing food, but gives back in a big way to our community, head to page 17 and stay tuned for an article next month!

Love visiting my brother in Maine!

As I write these words, my daughter and amazing business partner, Brooke Eagle are in Maine visiting my brother, Brent, and sister-in-law, Donna. Sharing this experience with my parents, who’ve made this journey every summer for the past 11 years, is truly a special reunion. With spectacular views and temperatures hovering in the 60s, we’re being treated to the finest homemade meals, courtesy of my sister-in-law, an exceptional cook, and my brother, a gifted baker who spoils us with the most amazing homemade desserts.

Thank you for joining me on this journey thus far. Don’t forget to connect with us on social media, sign up for our monthly newsletter at lkn-magazine.com, and continue to spread the word. Our hearts are tied to supporting all things relating to supporting local and sharing about small businesses and non-profit organizations. There’s nothing we treasure more than being able to share these inspirational stories with our community.

All the best,

Keela

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Keela Johnson

Hello! My name is Keela Johnson and I’m the founder of Forsyth Magazines, a family of three publications based in Forsyth County that started in 2005. After living in Clemmons for 30 years, I “retired” to Lake Norman and found a vibrant, active community of friendly people, as well as new hobbies like paddle boarding and gardening. However, with publishing in my blood, my heart and mind recognized a wonderful opportunity to further engage with this dynamic community and the members of my Lake Norman “neighborhood.” So… I am thrilled to announce that our team is launching a fourth publication: LKN Magazine!

An opportunity to promote local! When my husband and I made the move to Lake Norman, I passed the torch for the Forsyth County-based magazines into the very capable hands of my daughter Brooke. I’ve been considering the right time to launch a Lake Norman-based magazine, and I firmly believe that time is now! With 17 years of publishing experience, our team has helped hundreds of businesses share their stories and connect with our 70,000 readers. We believe in the power of community and building a platform for local businesses to grow in an organic and powerful way. We’re so excited to bring this same concept to the Lake Norman market.
What does this look like? Take a look at forsythwoman.com to see some of our content and flip through our digital edition. You can also check out @forsythmags on Instagram and Facebook, and find the Forsyth Magazines podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and all major streaming platforms.
What will LKN Magazine offer? Print ads, of course, and online exposure as well, but in addition to that, we’ll offer so much more to help you tell your story to your target market. Editorial, social media promotion, a monthly newsletter, a podcast, and event sponsorship opportunities are all perks available for our advertising partners. I’d love to set up a time to chat with you over the phone or meet in person to discuss.

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