Here we grow again. I say those words not to boast but rather as a symbol of pride, as we re-launched a publication and completely redesigned another in the past few weeks.

Whether we grow or not is not up for debate in our company. Growth is a necessity. Growth in readers. Growth in advertisers. Growth in staffing. Growth in revenues. And, hopefully, growth in profits.

I heard a saying a few decades ago that stuck with me: “If you keep on doing what you have always done, you will keep on getting what you have always gotten — or less.”

I have seen too many good businesses fail because the owners or managers refused to change. Sadly, this has been obvious in the newspaper business. So, we keep pushing for growth. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we don’t, but we keep marching forward.

Last week, we brought back Clive Living magazine, which we suspended publishing dating back to the COVID shutdown. Little by little, we have been bringing our Iowa Living magazines back, and this brings us up to 14 again. Of course, I believe our magazines benefit every community we serve, but I especially feel so in Clive, which has so many wonderful residents and businesses. Clive is the envy of many communities, and I am pleased to bring Clive Living magazine back. You can check out the magazine here.

A few weeks prior, we redesigned our Lake Panorama Times publication, which is mailed each month to all the property owners at the lake. It had been a traditional broadsheet newspaper, and we converted it to tabloid size in a magazine format. The feedback has been 100% positive, and I am thankful to our faithful readers and advertisers in the Lake Panorama community. Check it out here, and let me know what you think.

So, what’s next? We are working on launching two more publications this summer, and we have our eyes on a few more re-launches by the end of the year, too. Have some ideas on other publications, digital offering or events we should do? Send them my way.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight — and not without a lot of work from some wonderful and talented people — but it does come together with a focused effort, one step at a time.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Shopping District

1. Historic Valley Junction

2. Historic East Village

3. Jordan Creek

SEE EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

Slight rain chances will be with us every day into the weekend, with best chances coming in the afternoon and evening. Not everyone will receive precipitation, but those who do will see decent amounts from slow-moving storms. Expect a hot week with highs near 90.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

Pilots: Freedom of flight 

Zach Stubbs of West Des Moines got “bit” by the aviation bug early in life. He and his father often drove to the Des Moines airport, near the “blue lights” and parked, watching airplanes land and take off. His childhood toys were often airplane related.

Zach’s dad’s friend was a pilot, and Zach was excited to fly as a passenger at a young age. He dreamed of flying his own plane someday.

Yet life, between college and his career, delayed his dream. More than a decade ago, however, Zach finally completed training and obtained his pilot’s license.

“That was 12 years ago,” he explains. “I realized I wasn’t getting any younger.”

... Read more in the May issue of West Des Moines/Jordan Creek  Living magazine.

These celebrities were born on this date: Wynonna Judd, Antoine Fuqua, Idina Menzel, CeeLo Green, Lenny Davidson, John Ross Bowie, Sean Giambrone

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why should you never use Beef Stew as a password? IT'S NOT STROGANOFF (STRONG ENOUGH)! - Judy Anderson, Gail Tomlinson. Other answers from William Snyder, Carolyn Rogers

Today's Riddle

What do you call a group of men waiting for a haircut?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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