Getting to know you

In January, I replaced Dan Vance as editor of Connect Business Magazine. Jumping into this new job threw a lot onto my plate, and it was quite a learning curve as I worked on the March issue. Now that it’s out and I have time to reflect, I realize that in my zeal to put out a great first issue, I overlooked one key aspect: letting you get to know me.

After all, Dan was with this magazine for more than 20 years. That’s a long time to see his face welcoming you into each issue and read his thoughts in the editor’s column. He built up a network of relationships—most of you reading this probably either knew him personally or at least have some sort of professional relationship with him.

That’s not the case with me. When you read the March issue’s intro, that was probably the first time you’d ever seen me. So now that I have some time, I want to introduce myself. And, since I’m a journalist used to interviews writing for a magazine focused on features, I feel it only makes sense to set it up in interview format. Here goes.

Tell me a little about yourself.

I was born in California but moved with my family to Wisconsin when I was about nine. My family lives on a farm outside of Menomonie. I went to Spring Valley High School and then to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to study mass media and Spanish.

What was your first job?

When I was 16, I got a job at our town paper, the Spring Valley Sun Argus. I was the education reporter and also helped with paper layout, creating ads and proof reading. I worked there until I graduated and still wrote the occasional article while I attended college.

Why did you decide to study journalism?

I’ve always loved to write. When I was ten, I wanted to be the next Charles Dickens. However, I quickly realized that many people want to be authors and only a few make a good living on it. So I decided to switch to journalism, which seemed like a more practical way to use my skills. I greatly enjoy history, and to me, journalism is recording history as it happens. I love telling people’s stories.

What about Spanish? Have you ever used that major?

I studied Spanish because I wanted to be able to communicate with more people. I actually have done interviews in Spanish, though not many. I admit, I’m kind of rusty now. But in my senior year of school, I interned at a newspaper in Cuenca, Ecuador, and then I went to Spain for three months after graduation to volunteer. So I have definitely used it.

Did you work during college?

I had so many jobs during college. For a while, I focused on my job at the MSU Reporter, where I was the main news reporter for some time. But in my sophomore year, I discovered KMSU Radio, where I eventually became the news director. I also wrote for the Free Press and Mankato Magazine.

What was your first job out of college?

Once I returned from Spain, I was offered a job at the Northfield News in Northfield, working as the city and public safety reporter. I covered all city affairs, such as city council meetings and projects, as well as any crimes or accidents. In addition, I was in charge of the content of our sister paper, the Lonsdale News Review, which was more of a community paper. I worked there for a little more than a year.

How did you get involved with Connect?

While I was at the Northfield News, I was able to freelance for other publications, and Dan contacted me about writing for the magazine. After a few months, he told me he was planning to retire and suggested I apply for the job. I did, and they hired me. I started on Jan. 2.

How is this magazine different than your previous jobs?

I really love working at Connect because it gives me more time to focus on each story. When I was at the newspaper, we had daily deadlines and were expected to write 8-10 stories a week. The stories were usually about 800 words. At Connect, I can take a month to carefully craft a story, and since stories are 2,500-4,500 words, we have much more space to fully dive into a source’s life.

What are your plans for the magazine?

My hope is to grow Connect Business so that it has a wider reach and attracts a more diverse readership group. Right now, I’m focusing on strengthening our online presence. Since we only come out every other month, I’m using our website as a way to keep our readers updated on business news in a more timely manner. I also want to increase our magazine page count so we can include more stories every issue.

While we will continue to write in-depth features on business owners, I am also interested in tackling wider-scoped business questions that affect all of a city or a region. In addition, I’d like to find ways to encourage high school and college students to look into the field of business, as well as building even stronger relationships with every city we cover by becoming more involved with them past just reporting about their businesses. Many things affect business and economic development, not just the businesses themselves.

If anyone knows of an interesting business or has a business-related theme/question, please let me know. You can reach me at [email protected]. I’m always open to suggestions!

I look forward to growing in this position and building relationships of my own that I hope will last for a long time.

Best regards,

Grace A. Webb