Celebrating 27 Years of Strictly Business

July is a special month because it marks the anniversary of both Strictly Business and the United States of America, and we don’t have any problem stealing a little bit of the firework thunder from Fourth of July celebrations! The magazine has now been in Lincoln for 27 years and 13 years in Omaha, and that really is something to make noise about. Twenty-seven years of partnering with local businesses, promoting local businesses, and helping local businesses grow—there is much to be proud of and thankful for.

We have always operated by the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…and who knows you!” As you flip through Strictly Business, it’s clear to see the importance we put on branding company names and people’s faces. Running an ad is one thing, giving a deeper look into a business/organization and the people who run it is another—and we do this through all of the free, value-added editorial we offer to our clients. By sharing our content in print, online, and on social media, we’ve built a reputation in the Omaha and Lincoln communities as a strong multi-media marketing tool and trusted source of relevant business news and information.

Our clients are at the center of everything we do, and we dedicate every day to earning their trust in us as an advertising partner. We have over 50 clients who have been with us for more than 10 years and even one who has been advertising for the full 27 years. As business owners, this is something Shayne and I are very proud of.

We’d also like to thank our readers for their continued support, not only of Strictly Business itself but of the businesses we feature. It is such a good feeling to hear about a connection or partnership forming because of the magazine. I invite you to take time to reach out to the businesses and individuals we feature and tell them you saw them in Strictly Business. You might just be introducing yourself to a new client for your own business!

Shayne and I are also very proud of our awesome team, which continues to grow and evolve. Most recently, we added Diane Gumaer to the team as our copywriter. I have to remind myself that she just came on board because it feels like she’s been here all along—and that just speaks to how well she fits our culture and the role she is in. Diane works closely with our editor, Hannah Hundley, who celebrated her two-year anniversary with Strictly Business back in February. Along with our intern Kadi Carleton, the three make up the writing force of the magazine. On the design end, our talented art director, Katherine Crawford, works her magic every month with the help of our graphic design intern, Julia Evertson. These women are an inspiration to me as I continue to lead the sales force for both Omaha and Lincoln publications.

While sales efforts were put on a brief pause (and are still a little shaky), our team has been working diligently to support the businesses and organizations that we were already partnered with. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, it’s far better to change your message to your audience than it is to have no message at all, which is why advertising during a crisis remains just as crucial as ever.

As proud Americans—living in one nation under God—Shayne and I are thankful for the opportunity to do business in Omaha and Lincoln, and we can’t say thank you enough to our clients, readers, and all of the current and past staff members who make Strictly Business possible. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as The Expert in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

Pictured (L-R): Kadi Carleton, Katherine Crawford, Hannah Hundley, Paige Zutavern, Diane Gumaer, and Julia Evertson. Photo by Monica Sempek Photography, LLC.