Milestones are life’s road signs that guide us through the years, creating touch points and memories that last forever.
On a personal level, I’ve been blessed with many in recent weeks.
I turned the big 4-0 in August. My youngest daughter started kindergarten in early September. My oldest daughter had her first significant sports achievement this fall by earning a hat trick with three goals during her second game of Upward Soccer.
Through the years, I have reached many professional goals including leading a civic organization and writing stories that sparked measurable changes. Perhaps just as important to me as any career-related achievement, you hold a tangible milestone in your hands with issue five of Michiana Life.
This issue marks the one-year anniversary of the magazine we launched with the goal of showcasing the amazing people and character of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
From all the feedback we have gotten, I have only two words: Mission accomplished.
Oh wait, I think those have been abused in recent years. Well, you get the picture.
We are excited about year two and hard at work finding more stories that spotlight the human spirit and amazing businesses in our region. Our marketing experts continue to help clients reach an important readership audience and increase their brand awareness. And our distribution team is focused on fine-tuning an approach that put more than 8,000 copies in the hands of readers and subscribers each issue, while also reaching thousands more electronically.
This issue features people who have reached some milestones of their own, ranging from couples who work together to make our communities better to a woman who helps children with autism live better lives.
While we are firmly rooted in the now we are also focused on the future, and all the milestones to come.
We would love to have you join us on this amazing journey.
MICHAEL CALDWELL is the publisher and president of Leader Publications LLC. A native of eastern Kentucky, he has been in the publishing business for more than 15 years and has launched several community magazines. Moving to Michiana in 2013, he lives in Niles, Michigan, with his wife and two daughters.
