River City Six – Shayne Zutavern

Meet Shayne Zutavern, founder and publisher of Strictly Business Magazine.

Tell us a little about your business.

I am involved in several different businesses, but Strictly Business is my flagship business. Strictly Business is a print and online content marketing vehicle we started in Lincoln back in 1993 before content marketing was mainstream. We were also one of the very first publications to publish online in 1996. The business really didn’t turn the corner into the black until I convinced my wife Paige to come work with me. My second most important decision ever, besides marrying her. Building on our success in Lincoln, we launched its sister publication in Omaha with the help of Angela Lee in 2007.

How did you get started in the business?

While publishing a direct mail coupon book, we had so many business owners tell us we should create a business magazine reporting on and about local business. So we fleshed it out and went for it.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

When we first started out in the publishing business, we were just shy of starvation for several years while getting it off the ground. But we persevered and our hard work and dedication finally paid off; all the ramen noodle meals are like dust in the wind now!

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

Generating over 9 million Google search engine views and delivering over 350,000 website page views last year for our clients.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married to my high school sweetheart Paige for over 30 years, and we have been business partners for over 20. She has been and is the rocket fuel behind the success of Strictly Business. We have two sons, Schyler and Zane, who are natural-born entrepreneurs. I have no doubt they will eclipse my business accomplishments tenfold.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

In 1983, when I decided to go out on my own and start my own business from scratch rather than stay in the cattle business with my family.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

Read and recharge.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

In 1997, my website team built one of the very first secure online shopping websites in the whole Midwest. It was instantly a huge success, receiving multiple awards almost overnight and was even featured on late night TV.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t stop working on a business or goal when you’re only two inches from gold.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Break Every Chain or Eye of the Tiger. The latter was of my favorite pep band songs I used to blast with my trumpet so I know each note by heart.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?

Teacher, professor or doctor.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?

I know many special people who enrich my life greatly, and even daily, who were an “accident.” So any causes like March for Life and Pregnancy Center.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?

Among my favorites are See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar, Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout, Win Every Battle by Michael Galiga, Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman, and last but certainly not least, the KJV Bible.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Phone: (402) 770-1220; Email: szutavern@yahoo.com.