There are already plenty of blogs about magazines. Why the hell are we starting a new one? Well we are not. First, let me introduce myself. I am Sahil. Thanks to the three of you who are reading this. Or am I being optimistic?
I am one of the two co-founders of mag nation. My official title is Chief Magazineologist, but that is just us being cute. The other co-founder Ravi, is my uncle. Yes, we are a small family business. Some people think we are a big corporate. We ain’t.
I am somewhat schizophrenic. My dual personality alternates between me and mag nation. At times I find it hard to know with which voice I speak. I tell you this because if you continue to read this blog, I will inevitably alternate between the pro-nouns “we” and “I”. In many ways, they refer to the same thing. The collective mag nation persona.
So, back to my initial question. Why read this blog. I haven’t told you anything interesting so far. Truth be told, don’t know if I ever will. Here is what the mag nation blog will focus on – the journey of creating a magazine retail Brand. Sound wanky? Journey is such an over-used word. Well, as entrepreneurs who have risked everything on a crazy concept which all the industry experts told us was flawed, the mag nation story to date has been nothing but a rollercoaster. It still continues to be so.
We will at times talk purely about an individual magazine, but if you are here to get the latest gossip on Brittney, you are in the wrong place. Nor are we here to replicate what our good friends at magculture.com do with their blog. Well worth a read for all our fans who love the design and creative components of magazines. We love this side of the industry, but we are not designers either.
What we will blog about is the magazine “industry”, and how it translates through to consumers from a retail and Brand perspective. We will talk about supply and distribution, niche publishing, what’s hot, and philosophical crap such as the future of print. However, more than anything else, this Blog will document our story as we try to build a Brand and ultimately a successful business. We still bleed cash. Ravi and I are still on the bread line.
So this is perhaps as much an entrepreneurial blog as it is one about magazines, the live story behind a Brand as it tries to get traction and engage more people. We are faced with massive hurdles. The odds predict we won’t be around in even 2 years time. Last month we had five days of cash left in our accounts until new capital came into the company. I was frequently changing my underwear.
If you decide to keep reading this blog, what you will get is a true account of what it is like to put yourself out there, risk your career and family security, all in pursuit of a dream. Our words will drip of passion. We truly love magazines. We truly love mag nation. We are truly proud of our achievements to date. And we look forward to sharing the enormous challenges that confront us as we look to survive, expand our Brand nationally and internationally, and maintain our sanity through 18-20 hour working days while also raising young families.
Welcome to the mag nation blog.
Congratulations on taking the angle you are with the blog, scary life as an entrepreneur. We are all behind you, with love from flint.
Sahil – New site looks fantastic. Keep up the good work and congratulations!
Woohoo!!! This is totally awesome. You folks are really talented so I’m looking forward to more. Pressures on – you have readers! A bit of schizophrenia keeps things interesting
Congratulations Sahil. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts, observations, trials and tribulations. You know we think you rock!
Awesome! Will add to my daily reads and, I’ve linked you to my blog…
Great to see that you have taken the jump to sport a blog, your first blog is a rather good read – looking forward to see how this blog develops and obviously, the development of Mag Nation as a brand and empire.
All the best.
Looks great Sahil/Mag Nation! Looking forward to reading your story.
A uniquely transparent approach! I love the idea. I will stay tuned for sure.
sure, but what is wrong with online magazines instead of going thru the printing nightmare. I went through years of producing magazines and loved every second of it, cos it was in my field of choice. I still create a ‘magazine’ but only online. I consider this better business practise. Why?
No printing bill :: the media is truly instant :: archive stays online and available :: errors are truly temporary.
I’ll keep reading as long as you promise to stop capitalising ‘Brand’
This will be such a great resource for small business people who want to know how to put together a new start-up. It is extremely generous of you to share your experience with is in the interweb, thanks!
Well Sahil I had to take a second to let you know that I am really impressed by the Blog (and by your store – visited several times last time we went to Melbourne.) I really relate to your blog as someone who is working another job to make sure my shop doesn’t have to betray our ideals to get established & secure in the fickle retail environment! I too have a split personality that is my SELF + my SHOP intertangled & inseperable!
Best of wishes on taking over the world!!!!
Thanks for being brave & wearing your heart on your sleeve!
Nici
Blackbird Corner
Welcome to the blogosphere! I guess risk-taking is always a big factor in the pursuit of passion. Thank you for encouraging me to take the leap no matter how bad the odds are. I’m on this ‘journey’ with you
Ooh! I am excited. I really like your concepts so far and am looking forward to seeing what comes of this. Congrats!
Congrats on starting the blog! I think it’s a fab idea and will love to hear the story of your triumphs and tribulations (and then more triumphs)! Good luck and enjoy.
far out brussel sprout.
Good Luck!
We love Mag Nation your energy drive and dedication to our magazine and our addictions other peoples magazines
Thank you you really make it all worthwhile
x KAREN Magazine
Very novel and interesting approach. Really looking forward to readig it. Hope it goes gangbusters !
Welcome to blog land. Looking forward to your next posts!
I love your vision and dedication to make your dream a reality. I look forward to reading this blog and sharing your love of mags.
Hey Sahil, love your first post … Have always admired how frank and open you are about your business. Like Mag Nation, Dumbo feather sometimes struggles under the perception that it’s much larger than it is, with more $ behind it than it does. In many ways it means that you’re doing a great job, but it also means the expectations are that much higher and often hard to meet.
Really looking forward to reading more about the journey you’re on.
Till soon
D feather x
You’ve already engaged us, a brand is made so much stronger with a face to it and now a story too. So great to be following your journey. Good luck!
Oi, Sahil, get off my bloody blog turf! Joking! Best of luck with your blogging venture – love your unique and hilarious voice and look forward to your postings on the industry and perspective on the niche magazines. Great addition to mag-land discourse. I shall add you to the GWAS blog-roll, of course. Cheers, Erica
Finally got to check out your melbourne store a few weekends ago .. loved it .. loved the concept and still can’t wait for you to open up in brisbane.. I just hope you use a different coffee bean when and if you do come to Brisbane. Mad love and respect for the mag nation! – Peter Graham, Kedron Qld.
Looking forward to it………
hey there sahil!
very interesting first post. youre off to a good start. i like the honesty of it all and i will definately be reading! heres to wishing you the best of luck and a good start! Cheers
Mike
hey Sahil,
Looking forward to hearing more of your story. It’s a bit like looking in the mirror.
http://haul.com.au
http://twitter.com/scottkilmartin
Blood, toil and passion? I’m in.
More please!
Not only have you managed to fuel my addiction to magazines and now I have to add you in my already long list of daily reads? Thanks, thanks a lot. Hehe, looking forward to reading about your journey and wish you all the luck in the world.
From one of your first twitter followers