Meet our Publishers...
In May of 2005, Kristel Lewis was doing some ad sales for a local specialty paper focused on parenting. Her “main job” was being a stay-at-home mom. She had a 9-month-old son and was looking for a job that could be done from home. Kristel's brother is the publisher of a weekly newspaper in a smaller town in Kansas and she had talked with him about how it would be fun to do a specialty paper focused on arts and crafts. One day he called and said he was talking with someone at the press association conference, whose wife published a paper on specialty shops called The Country Register. Her life had gotten too busy and she was looking to sell the paper since it was not receiving the attention it deserved.
Kristel's college degrees and background are in sports administration and she knew nothing about publishing a paper or journalism. But with good computer skills and experience with detail work of making past reports and forms “look nice” and a brother who could help with the publishing software (and much more advice) she contacted Amy Hanson about purchasing The Country Register of Kansas. It was a whirlwind after that and in June of 2005 Kristel became a Country Register publisher and the August/September 2005 issue was her first edition.
Amy Hanson had originally started The Country Register in Kansas with the April/May issue in 1997 so the Kansas paper has just started its 12th year of publication. Since taking over the paper almost three years ago, Kristel has had the opportunity to visit many great shops that she would have never stepped foot in if it were not for The Country Register. Her house is now decorated with items that are not only nice, quality items, but they have a memory to go with them of the shop where they were purchased. Since taking over the paper she has been able to grow The Country Register to include many new advertisers and has a large group of loyal advertisers that are in every issue.
The Country Register has been a perfect combination for Kristel to be able to stay at home with her boys (one more added since having the paper) and also help the family financially. She is always busy with either family or work and this paper is truly a family affair! Kristel claims that life happens and she is just trying to keep up! Husband, Mike, mainly helps by keeping the boys busy during “crunch time” but also helps with deliveries. Her mom and in-laws also help by watching the boys to give Kristel some work and delivery time. Her cats keep her company during late-night working hours.
Kristel is a true believer in The Country Register and how it really works! It works for the readers to find new shops and to know what is going on with their usual favorite shops, and it works for the shops to let people know they are there and to have something free and of good quality and content to offer to their customers. It works for her also because she is able to be home during this precious time in the boys’ lives and also work doing something that is truly enjoyable and worthwhile. She enjoys using The Country Register and hopes you do too!
