LETTER from the editor

I've spent more than 30 years
building businesses.

Some started with little more than an idea. Others came through acquisition. Every one of them has taught me something different about entrepreneurship.

What I've learned is this.

Building a business is never just about the business.

It's about believing in something enough to take the first step. It's about making decisions with incomplete information, carrying responsibility that few people truly understand, and living with uncertainty far longer than you'd ever choose.

There are days when you feel unstoppable.

There are also days when you wonder if you have anything left to give.

I've lived both.

At its heart, this inaugural issue is about entrepreneurship.

It's about the women who choose to build. The ones who see possibility where others see obstacles. The ones willing to take risks, challenge industries, create jobs, and keep moving forward, even when the road ahead is anything but clear.

In these pages, you'll meet entrepreneurs who have transformed ideas into remarkable businesses, each with a story that's uniquely their own. You'll also hear from one organization committed to supporting women entrepreneurs as they grow, scale, and navigate what's next.

You'll find my story here too.

Behind the Gloss is the most personal story I've shared publicly. It's about buying WXN, the realities I discovered, and the decisions that ultimately led to WXN Media. More than anything, it's a reminder that every business has a story beyond what we see from the outside.

I hope these stories encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that if you've ever questioned yourself along the way, you're not alone.

Welcome to Be Bold.

Sherri Stevens
Editor-in-Chief, Be Bold Magazine
Founder & CEO
WXN Media