about the publisher
Mylene Renee Owens is the owner of Premier Lowcountry magazine. There are four things that are on the top of this young woman’s priority list – God, family, dogs and other people – dogs being pretty much people to this serious canine lover. Mylene is a jack-of-all-trades kind of modern working woman. A dash of seriousness, heaping spoonfuls of vivaciousness and hot, smoky beakers full of industriousoptimistic-give-it-all-you’ve-gotness. Don’t tell her she can’t do something, because she will. She was born on Hilton Head in 1984, lived in Savannah between the ages of 9-12, moved to Clearwater, Florida for 7th, 8th, 9th and half of 10th grade, and then back to Hilton Head for the rest of high school. In 2007, when daughter Caitlyn was 4, they moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she worked as an optician. She was so meticulous in her optical work that customers insisted that she make their lenses. Oh, did I forget to tell you what a perfectionist she is? Don’t be fooled by her breezy, cheerful manner into thinking that she misses the details. This southern girl has eyes on ALL sides of her head and although like the rest of us, she might forget some little unimportant things, she has probably memorized just about everything you’ve ever told her – mostly because she cares so much about you and if you are in business with her, she considers it an honor to help you succeed. She moved back to Hilton Head and met Ron Owens two days before Valentine’s Day in 2013. They were married a little more than a year later, on March 22nd and her daughter officially became Caitlyn Owens another year later on March 2, 2015. It’s not surprising that Mylene has almost always worked in some sort of sales position. She 8
PREMIER
started out working for the magazine in sales, was promoted quickly to Director of Marketing and Sales and then when the opportunity came to become the owner, she jumped right in. Premier Lowcountry magazine was everything she’d ever hoped for in a dream job. She would be her own boss, her daughter and husband were loyal and dedicated helpers and she would devote herself to making sure that her advertisers became the talk of the Lowcountry. She knows that people still like to read a good magazine full of interesting stories, supported by businesses discovered by those same readers whose loyalty they wish to earn. Mylene and her daughter Caitlyn are both high-energy and Ron is the strong, quieter one who balances out the pair. They all pitch in when it’s time to take care of the magazine. Ron helps with planning and strategy, distribution, heavy lifting and anything else that is needed. Twelve year-old Caitlyn is already making plans to join the business and has decided to focus on English classes so she can be one of the contributing writers. Excitement spills all
over dinner conversations. They talk about meeting deadlines, supporting advertisers and boxes of magazines to deliver. And, when the magazine is ready – as they say in the print business, they “put their baby to bed.” How does Mylene’s background contribute to running a magazine? She’s always been a “look-at-me!look-at-me!” kind of girl. And, since 2nd place is the same as losing, she applies her no-holds-barred winning attitude to every aspect of the business. Her super powers are determination, guts and southern manners. Besides God, dogs and people, she loves dance and roller skating. She won a Black History choreography competition put on by the State of South Carolina in her junior year and her favorite activity in high school was participating in the Color Guard in Florida, where her team was the state’s Marching Band champion. She volunteers often at the Jasper Animal Rescue Mission and for the Lowcountry Bully Breed Rescue in Ridgeland. They have six dogs and foster other dogs when they can. For Mylene, it’s all about giving and being creative. Taking care of her family, helping dogs find loving homes and contributing to other people’s success in business, those are the priorities of Premier Lowcountry magazine’s owner, Mylene Owens. And, her life verse? Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She doesn’t have many stories to tell of velvet-cushion-silverspoon-ease, but she’s got fire in her belly, sparkles in her eyes and caution to keep her sensible. Put on your shades, and hop on for an exciting ride! The future looks mighty bright.
WINTER 2016
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