Women’s Journal receives Emerging Business award
By Sonia Outlaw-Clark
During a noon luncheon, Tuesday, February 7, 2006, at Union University, five Jackson businesses were honored with the Emerging Business award. Among them were the Tennessee Women’s Journal and Something to Read. Both have Brownsville connections.
The Women’s Journal has
become a popular newspaper in our county. Owner and publisher Grace Desnoyers
is proud of its success. Approaching its second anniversary in April, Desnoyers
first saw a similar paper in New England and felt the educational format would
be great for this area. “We started as the Madison County Women's Journal, but
in mid-2005 decided to drop the Madison County part and make it a regional
paper.” The Journal not only reaches Madison and Haywood counties but Gibson,
Obion, Dyer and Weakley, as well.
“We exist as a ministry of
encouragement to our readers while providing them with reliable, local
information and our advertisers with a viable option for reaching potential
customers,” says Desnoyers. She has been amazed and gratified with the
response.
Shirley Wallace is
marketing representative for the Women’s Journal and director of the
Brownsville area. She is also a Brownsville resident who is excited about
“promoting local businesses and highlighting our town.”
“We are grateful for
Shirley Wallace and her dedication to the people of Brownsville and the Women's
Journal,” says Desnoyers.
During the eight months she
has been on the job, Wallace has introduced area business owners to the
benefits of the only educational newspaper serving West Tennessee. “As a
business owner your advertising will not only be seen in your hometown, it will
also reach all the surrounding counties,” explains Wallace.
The Women’s Journal features
articles on family, health, home, garden and legal information. The free,
bimonthly publication is available locally at E. W. James, Sugar Palace,
Gardner Building, Backyard Barbecue, Las Palmas and Brownsville Family
Restaurant.
Also receiving an Emerging Business Award were the shops of The Painted Lady in downtown Jackson. “Something to Read,” is owned by Brownsville native d. n. english. English is also owner of Main Street Publishing in Jackson, an author and regular contributor to area newspapers including the Women’s Journal. She is the daughter of Maxine English and the late Fred English. Mary Evelyn Pafford, of Alamo, Tenn., owns two shops inside The Painted Lady — “M.E.’s Antiques” and an antique linen shop. Pafford is the daughter of Betty and Alsey Mann of Brownsville.
The Jackson Area Chamber of
Commerce sponsors the Emerging Business award. A business must be locally owned
and less than five years old to win the award.