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After 25 years of promoting the interests of small business owners nationally, John Paul Galles decided to pursue his own interests and publish a regional business-to-business magazine. He chose Charlotte for its thriving local marketplace and quality of life. His ambition came to fruition as the first issue of Greater Charlotte Biz rolled off the presses in January 2000 to become the community’s only monthly business magazine.
Prior to publishing Greater Charlotte Biz, Galles represented small business owners as the executive director of the Small Business Association of Michigan, and subsequently, as president of National Small Business United. In those capacities, Galles managed several communication strategies that included two key publications – the Journal of Small Business and Small Business USA, which fostered in large part his development of a business publication in Charlotte. “The Charlotte region is growing, vibrant, entrepreneurial, and driven by nationally-recognized leaders and innovators,” Galles says. “That’s a big part of why I founded the magazine in this area. Also, from a business standpoint, the Charlotte marketplace is relatively compact, which makes it easier to help businesses communicate with each other.”
DESIGNED FOR BUSINESS PEOPLE
Greater Charlotte Biz strives to provide the business community with an effective vehicle for building greater brand awareness for products and services. The magazine keeps business executives in the Charlotte region abreast of important issues, emerging technologies, available resources, and people who help businesses operate more successfully. “We want to be the most complete business-to-business magazine in the greater Charlotte market,” Galles says. “Greater Charlotte Biz can help companies grow and succeed because many of our stories are about successful businesses and their leaders.” Editorial content features a number of profiles of area businesses and business people making a notable impact on the business community. The business digest provides a summary of local news releases as well as information about new products and services, market surveys, and other business-related items. A mix of other sections cover developments in industry and technology, regional economic growth, real estate development, organizations and philanthropies supporting business growth, executive perks and employee benefits, and other topical matters of interest. Maryl A. Lane, a corporate and securities lawyer by trade, has been with the magazine since its inception and serves as associate publisher as well as inside legal counsel. The magazine’s additional staff includes the editorial, graphic design, and advertising sales departments, and is rounded out with a cadre of freelance writers and photographers.