Southport Magazine

From: Kris Beasley and Bethany Turner

We made it! This month officially marks the first anniversary of Southport Magazine. Last year, when Bethany wrote you for the first time, she mentioned the project was a “labor love,” and quite the quick decision. This year, we will reveal the full story behind the magazine and we, the two women who run it:

Kris lives in Boiling Spring Lakes and has worked in Wilmington for encore magazine for 17 years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2012. (See pages 6-7 for her personal journey with cancer, as well as several events to help raise funds for breast-cancer research.) As Kris ended her chemotherapy in August 2012, she went to her boss with the idea of creating Southport Magazine: a magazine that would showcase the arts, music, events and dining strictly for the areas of  Southport, Oak Island, Boiling Spring Lakes, Bald Head Island and St. James.

Kris hoped Southport Magazine would help give her something new to focus on as she eased back into reality after cancer treatment. She thought the magazine would begin in January 2013—but her boss asked her to begin in October 2012.  He also suggested enlisting the help of Bethany, a recent graduate of UNC Wilmington, who was succeeding as the Assistant Editor of encore.

Kris went to Bethany with the idea and she was thrilled! They met at Port City Java in Southport and brainstormed a template for the publication. In less than 30 days they created and sold ads for the first issue of Southport Magazine, which hit the streets in October 2012.

Seeing a great opportunity—and a potential “retirement” plan to work closer to home—Kris reached out to the owners of encore with a brave request: to purchase Southport Magazine. Knowing this project has become a true passion for Kris, the bosses agreed. The sale occurred on September 24th, 2013.

Southport Magazine has been a gift to us in so many ways—the people, the business, the experiences and the success! We greatly appreciate all of the kindness we’ve received from readers and supporters alike. Without you, our hearts would not be as full.

Thank you for supporting Southport Magazine and two girls with a dream!