Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Frick
Hi Michelle , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved print. I was a newspaper girl when I was 10 years old. And, as an Air Force brat with the constant moving growing up, photographs were my way of holding onto people and places that we left behind (pre-internet – yes, I am that old). During and after college, I worked for Dell in Marketing and Advertising roles. And, once I became a Mom, I turned my love for photography into my job. Then, as happens, my children grew up. I went through some significant life changes and found myself searching for my next chapter. Having worked in corporate, I knew that wasn’t going to be my first choice. I came across the magazine opportunity. At the time, some questioned my choice because the role did not come with any guaranteed salary or benefits. However, I had a vision and was sold on the idea of creating something positive to put back into our world. I knew that if I didn’t at least try, I would always wonder if I could have made it work. My goal when I started was to make it to print by my 50th birthday. I am proud to say I succeeded. Now, what none of us knew then, was that March 2020 (my 50th) would coincide with a global pandemic. Nonetheless, Lucas Living went to print in March 2020 and, thanks to my partnership with Best Version Media, I was able to keep my clients present and engaged in the community during the pandemic and beyond. When I began the magazine, we were a print only product. In my 5 years in print, we have added digital products and now I am able to offer a Multiplatform approach to get my clients in front of the affluent homeowners in Lucas and beyond. I also serve as the primary photographer for Lucas Living and that gives me great joy to make memories with our feature families and to further connect me to the community my magazine reaches. I love being a happy spot in the Lucas mailboxes. It fills me with immense satisfaction to shine a light on the positive, uplifting things that are happening in our little corner of the Dallas Metroplex. I avoid anything political or controversial and highlight the hopeful and the happy! Most people that move to Lucas are looking for more land and are often attracted to the Lovejoy school district. Lucas was certainly a hidden gem a few years ago – I think it’s been discovered and is growing pretty quickly now, but with the standards for the larger lot sizes and the desire to maintain the small town feel, it’s a tranquil setting. You can see the stars at night. You’re close enough to have convenient access, but removed enough to have a sense of peace.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh gosh no, the road was not always easy! COVID certainly provided me with an interesting beginning. Also, life just has a way of throwing out obstacles to keep us on our toes. One of my favorite quotes is “Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans.” One of the reasons I gravitated to partnering with Best Version Media was something they taught from day one, and that is that we are all human and that if you have a bad day, fine, dust yourself off and begin again. Each day is a new opportunity to wake up and try again to be the best versions of ourselves.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Professionally, I am known as a Publisher and a Photographer. I love both of those things. I think, as we add new offerings, my role is becoming more of a Marketing Consultant and Community Connector. I meet with business owners, both established and some brand new, day in and day out. I may have an excellent solution for you, or I may not, but if not, I may know the perfect person that you should meet. I also have the privilege of meeting the families that live in the Lucas community. And, I have found that most of our homeowners are also business owners.
Of course, I am most proud of my children who have grown into brilliant and beautiful young adults. I am also very proud of having established Lucas Living and being able to build brands with incredible business owners. I have learned that Lucas Living is my brand, and I want to partner with sponsors that I know will deliver excellent service to the homeowners.
I do not want to make a sale and never see that person again. When you participate in and sponsor the Lucas community by being in Lucas Living, I want you to know that I am an extension of your team. I am putting your name in our community and connecting you to anyone else that I meet that will benefit from your services.
And, for my photography, if I ever learned to batch edit, I know I could be more efficient, but part of what you get with me as your photographer is someone who individually edits each image. Your memories matter, and I want them to be as beautiful as possible. Life changes, kids grow up, people come and go in our lives – and images are a way to hold onto those moments.
What’s next?
I hope to continue to grow Lucas Living. I am now going into my 5th year and that doesn’t seem possible. Time has the remarkable ability to go by so quickly and at the same time slowly. It’s crazy to think that this time five years ago, I had a plan to start a magazine, but it did not yet exist. One thing people wanted then was digital, and I didn’t have that, but now I do. So much has changed and continues to evolve.
Pricing:
- www.michellefrick.com – see investment page
- www.bestversionmedia.com/magazines/lucasliving – contact Michelle Frick – pricing varies depending on customized packages for print – from .06 to .55 cents per homeowner per month (less than postage)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bestversionmedia.com/magazines/lucasliving
- Instagram: @lucaslivingtexas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068362803167
- Other: https://www.michellefrick.com
