Forsyth Magazines: A History

Keela Johnson

Owner / Publisher Forsyth Woman & Forsyth Community Magazines

Robin Bralley

Owner / Publisher Forsyth Family Magazine

Brooke Eagle

Forsyth Woman Engaged! Editor, Forsyth Woman Associate Editor & Owner-in-training

Forsyth Magazines: A HistoryBY DENISE HEIDEL

Looking at the history of a company is always interesting. Every single business starts with an idea and a concept, and when you see a business continue to grow after years of operation, you know much went into making that happen.

In 2005, Forsyth Woman began when Keela Johnson was laid off from her long-time career at L’eggs Products (a division of Hanesbrands). Like many who face an unexpected job loss, Keela had a choice to make; and, instead of beating the pavement with resumes in hand, she decided to beat the pavement and sell others on the idea of a local women’s magazine.

Her gamble paid off, and Forsyth Woman took off. Within two years, Keela was thinking of adding a parenting magazine to the group. When close friend, Robin Bralley, found herself laid off from her job at Hanesbrands, Keela suggested they team up and create a new magazine.

The name Forsyth Family was chosen to encapsulate the entirety of family life. Because parenting magazines are typically focused on the early years, Robin was committed to providing content that re ected various phases in a family journey.

Forsyth Woman and Forsyth Family have become community staples. Published monthly, they maintain a loyal following among their readers, and advertisers recognize the value of investing in local marketing efforts. They entrust the Forsyth Magazines brand to reach their target audiences.

In 2011, another publication opportunity came to the table. Keela jumped at the opportunity to create a community-focused resource guide for Forsyth County brides, and Forsyth Woman Engaged! was unveiled that June. Forsyth Woman Engaged! quickly became a trusted resource, and brides loved that the magazine focused on creating beautiful weddings from Forsyth County resources. Keela’s daughter, Brooke, who of cially joined the team full time in 2012, has taken on the role of managing this biannual publication in addition to her other responsibilities with the monthly magazines.

2014 was a fun year for Forsyth Magazines, and it included a road trip to Virginia! From a meeting with other regional publications, the idea for an annual magazine focused solely on a speci c community resulted in the magazine you hold now – Forsyth Community.

Forsyth Community is a celebration of life, work, play and visiting the Lewisville and Clemmons communities. The idea was quickly embraced by both the Village of Clemmons and the LewisvilleClemmons Chamber of Commerce. Widely distributed by the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber as well as the North Carolina Visitor’s Centers, Forsyth Community is also a popular local resource often used by realtors as a relocation guide.

While the magazines have evolved from newsprint saddle-stitched publications to full gloss paper and perfect binding, what has remained the same is the consistency in which Forsyth Magazines has operated. Rooted in a deep love for community, the names Forsyth Woman, Forsyth Family, Forsyth Woman Engaged! and Forsyth Community are locally synonymous with passion, drive and a commitment to be “loyal to local.”

Thank you for reading and supporting Forsyth Magazines! Please visit us online and learn more (ForsythMags.com). We’d love for you to “like” us on Facebook and “follow us” on Instagram!