As I write this letter, I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude. It was a little over a year ago when I made the biggest decision of my life. I walked away from Corporate America to embark on the journey of launching an independent digital publication and it was the best decision I ever made in my 10+ year career in media.
Was I experiencing burnout? The short answer is yes. Imagine being someone who spent countless hours each week writing and editing stories about celebrities living their best lives, only to realize that you weren’t living your own. I was her, and she was me.
Consistently writing about celebrities, I found myself lost in their reality. This just led to stress, frustration, and eventually burnout.
Hoping to once again find balance in my life, I went into serious self-reflection mode. In between journaling, meditation, and prayer, I concluded that I never lost my love for writing but instead felt stifled by my inability to tell stories in the way that spoke to my soul.
The Next Chapter
After having conversations with so many women from different walks of life who experienced similar frustrations of feeling overlooked and being overconsumed with gossip platforms, I brainstormed with my family and began laying down the foundation for BrownStyle Magazine.
For some, my pivot into independent publication came as a shock. For those who knew me deeply, they knew it was only the next chapter in my life’s story.
My background in editorial has given me an up-close look at how powerful storytelling can be. Even in today’s ever-changing digital landscape, I wanted to put my name behind a publication that still adds value to readers.
As you’d imagine, it has not been an easy road with the current state of media. However, I channeled the strength of the women and men in my family who were entrepreneurs, publishers, and media professionals and began laying the foundation for the launch of a lifestyle and luxury publication for WOC who want to live a Soulful Soft Life.
On September 19, 2023, my sister Emerald Elitou and I launched BrownStyle Magazine!
One Year Later…
It’s amazing what you can do in a year when you are focused and determined to make a positive impact on your community. BrownStyle Magazine quickly became the go-to digital platform for women who want to find stories that uplift and inspire them to add S.O.U.L. (Self-care, Opulence, Unity, Love) to their lifestyle.
Since our launch this time last year, our magazine has delivered over 200+ engaging and informative pieces of content across a broad range of categories, including fashion, beauty, wellness, travel, and relationships. We’ve also helped many small businesses receive the spotlight they deserve. We’ve grown from five to 20+ contributors, and successfully gained more than 10K loyal and organic monthly readers.
In a way, I think BrownStyle Magazine has become a form of therapy. It consistently reminds me of the importance of putting yourself first. That doesn’t mean neglecting those that you love, but it is a reminder to take time and truly get to know yourself. Take time to indulge in forms of self-care and self-love that will bring you strength in the long run.
In my eyes, BrownStyle Magazine is more than just a publication, it is a movement that’s built on community! As a safe space, our platform is designed to provide women the opportunity to share stories that start thought-provoking conversations.
I’m beyond thankful for all of the love and support we’ve received from not only my team but our readers. It has not been an easy road, but every day I find joy in celebrating all the wins—including the small ones.
A HUGE thank you to our talented team of writers, editors, and contributors! Words cannot begin to express how thankful I am for your willingness to tell your stories to hopefully uplift and inspire other women. You are appreciated!
And to the readers, your support is what keeps us going. Thank you for all the likes, comments, shares, reposts, and genuine love you show us! We couldn’t grow without you.
Cheers to a new year!
Soulfully Yours,
Tweety Elitou
Editor-in-Chief of BrownStyle Magazine
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