Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Shelton.
Hi Leslie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected publications in Texas, including Texas Monthly, D Magazine, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Along the way, I learned from some of the very best in the publishing industry—both on the editorial and business sides.
The majority of my career was spent at Texas Monthly, where I began managing sales teams before eventually finding my niche in national advertising. That role regularly took me to New York City, where I called on iconic luxury brands such as Gucci and Cartier. Just as influential, however, was the opportunity to work alongside award-winning journalists, editors, and art directors whose creativity shaped some of the country’s most celebrated magazines. I was especially inspired by writers like William Broyles Jr., whose work included the screenplays for Apollo 13 and Cast Away, and by Fred Woodward, the legendary art director whose visual storytelling helped define publications such as Rolling Stone. Month after month, I found myself studying our cover stories, fascinated by the process of bringing compelling stories to life.
After the pandemic, like many people, I found myself reflecting on what mattered most. When the opportunity arose to publish a magazine dedicated to my beloved neighborhood of Preston Hollow, I knew it was the right next chapter.
Although my background is rooted in sales and business development, I’ve discovered an unexpected passion for the creative side of publishing. Today, I work closely with our editorial and design teams to identify the neighbors, families, and community leaders whose stories deserve to be shared. Together, we think carefully about how to present those stories in a way that is engaging, meaningful, and uniquely reflective of our community.
Every issue of Preston Hollow Neighbors represents countless conversations, thoughtful planning, and a genuine commitment to celebrating the people who make our neighborhood special. The most rewarding part of this journey has been getting to know my community on a deeper level and helping strengthen the connections that make Preston Hollow such a remarkable place to call home.
In an era increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, I feel fortunate to own a business built on something that can never be automated: authentic human connection. It’s work that continues to inspire me, and one I can easily envision doing well into my seventies—and beyond.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. After Texas Monthly was sold multiple times, many of my closest friends and colleagues moved on, and eventually my position was eliminated. Leaving a publication that had been such a meaningful part of my life and career was difficult, and it wasn’t easy to find another magazine family quite like the one I had enjoyed for so many years.
That said, every stop along the way taught me something valuable. I had the opportunity to work with other publications, talented people, and broaden my perspective on both publishing and community engagement. Those experiences ultimately gave me the confidence and inspiration to launch my own magazine. Looking back, what felt like a setback at the time led me to a new chapter—one where I have the opportunity to combine everything I’ve learned throughout my career while building something of my own and charting my own course.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While my career began on the business side of publishing, this opportunity has helped me discover a creative side of myself that I never knew existed. I’ve been told I have a strong eye for design, and I’ve found that I genuinely love the process of shaping how stories are presented on the page.
What sets Preston Hollow Neighbors apart is our commitment to content-first publishing. Many neighborhood magazines can feel like a collection of advertisements with a little editorial content sprinkled in between. From the beginning, I’ve wanted our magazine to feel different—to tell meaningful stories about the people, businesses, and organizations that make Preston Hollow such a special place to call home.
I’m especially proud of the quality of our editorial design. We work hard to create layouts that are visually engaging and worthy of the stories we’re telling. That often means obsessing over every detail, from photography and typography to the overall flow of a feature. My designer deserves a medal for patiently indulging my endless search for just the right font to help bring a story to life!
More than anything, I’m proud that we’ve built a publication that celebrates our community with the same level of care, creativity, and storytelling found in much larger magazines. When readers tell me they save issues, display them on their coffee tables, or look forward to each month’s arrival, I know we’re accomplishing what we set out to do.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
As much as I love publishing and storytelling, what matters most to me is my family—especially my son. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of watching him make the courageous decision to change careers and pursue aviation. He is now just weeks away from becoming a flight instructor, and seeing him work so hard to achieve that goal has been incredibly rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bestversionmedia.com/tx/prestonhollowneighbors/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prestonhollowneighbors_bvm/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-shelton-2018/
