Monarch Media Turns Five!

Monarch Media Turns Five: A Walk Down Memory Lane

As we celebrate Monarch’s five-year anniversary, we’d like for you to join us on a little walk down memory lane. This is our launch story, and we hope it will inspire others to pursue new possibilities, and to never give up.

It was a hot summer afternoon in July, and we decided to meet for lunch at Hula Hut. As the water lapped beneath us, we started brainstorming. Andrea had been looking for a new job for about four months and after numerous disappointments, a close friend told her she should consider being her own boss. This was an idea she hadn’t really thought about until she broadened her perspective to include a partner—Chellie. When we met for lunch that day, neither of us was sure how the conversation would go or if we were even ready for such a big leap. But, we were both willing to listen to each other and think about the idea of a different future. Three hours into lunch we had a rough business plan, which included services, rates, target markets and a launch date. When the ideas started flowing, we knew we had something worth pursuing. We left with a to-do list, which included determining a name, setting a meeting with a business advisor, researching the various business structures and educating ourselves on how to launch a business. It was a huge leap of faith for us both and before we left that first meeting we prayed. And we prayed a lot afterwards.

In August of 2011, we met with an advisor, determined we wanted to be an S Corp, landed on a name, completed paperwork, crossed our fingers and filed our corporation paperwork. Then we waited. One September 16, our letter of incorporation arrived and we were official, but we waited. We created a logo and a tagline, built a website, bought technology, met with potential clients—but still we waited. We still had day jobs that kept us busy, so evenings and weekends became focused on our new adventure. Like a newborn child that you protect from the outside world, we protected Monarch. We waited and prayed. God never put a roadblock in our path, and we took that as a green light. Around Thanksgiving of 2011, a job change came for Andrea. We flipped the switch and the website went live. Our business plan was put into action and Monarch took its first step. For six months, we set in motion a robust business development plan, busily meeting with professional friends and possible clients, seeking that first client that would trust our knowledge. We waited and prayed. We had some small clients in the beginning that helped us build revenue and by the summer of 2012, we found that larger client that gave us the momentum we needed to fully get off the ground. That fall we celebrated our first anniversary. Monarch was at a slow-paced run. We stayed at that pace for another eight months, adding small clients until we found another large client in the Summer of 2013. We celebrated our second anniversary, worked harder, and Monarch’s pace increased. As 2014 started, we added another larger client. We kept this pace for two years honing our skill set, further defining our market and services, streamlining processes and searching for the next client. As 2016 began, we added our fourth large client, and now Monarch is in marathon mode. We are in it for the long haul, the pace has been set and we are happy to reach the five-year mark.

Each day we feel blessed—enjoying incredible teamwork between the two of us and our clients as we continue to pursue this dream together. Thank you to all our clients who have trusted us over the past five years with your ideas, your magazines, and your revenue streams. We wouldn’t be here without you, and we are truly grateful for the friendships we have made along the way. Thank you to our mentors, friends, and colleagues who help us succeed. We have learned from each of you, and you have all made Monarch a better company. Thank you!