Meet Nancy Jackson of AVID Magazine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Jackson.

Nancy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a child, I always would cut out newspaper and magazine articles and create my own stories. I created this publication along with my friend and we would always work on it. Four years ago the same passion came back to me. I told a few people that I wanted to start a business magazine and I really didn’t get any great responses. So, of course, like most people, I decided that maybe it was out of my league.

Well in 2016, It came back to me and I could not shake the feeling. I stepped out on faith and contacted people I knew who were my friends on facebook and I explained to them that I wanted to start a business magazine for small business owners and I would like to interview them. Most of them said yes and were honored. Just so I would not get discouraged this time I did not tell anyone except for the people in the magazine. I began a journey that was supposed to be only a 4-month process to release that turned into a one year and 3 months.

During this time I battled with so many trials that I started to get the feeling that maybe this was not the right thing for me to do. Finally, I was ready to release the magazine months behind schedule and Hurricane Harvey decided to grace Houston and surrounding areas with his presence leaving me with a flooded home, no car and 8 storage containers to my name. Now here I was with a finished magazine and no hope. I had a good person who encouraged me the whole step of the way to keep going when I had given up.

I joined a new church as a result of Harvey and without knowing the pastor helped me through this process. Listening to his sermons and his support for his members to start businesses and step out on faith helped me to do just that. I went into full magazine mode by setting up study groups to read the magazine and give me thoughts on the content and layout. The magazine went through several name changes and was settled with AVID, which stands for Ambitious, Victorious, Inspiring, and Determined.

AVID Magazine was set out for release on December 31, 2017, during birthing season. So far AVID has been able to reach small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals through our digital publication and social media.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No of course not, the road has been not been an easy one. Starting a business is a very tedious task in itself let alone starting a business magazine. I have made so many mistakes and I am still making them but I no matter what I have fallen and jumped up every time. Some of my struggles thus far have been rebranding, website re-design, logo design, and developing business practices that I never knew I needed. Family and sleep have been huge sacrifices for me along with lost friendships.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the AVID Magazine story. Tell us more about the business.
AVID is a business magazine that provides a platform for small business owners, inspiring entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. AVID interviews these individuals providing them with an opportunity to share their stories and journeys in business. We also provide advertisements on all of our social media streams on a weekly basis. AVID is most proud of being able to meet so many business owners who are grateful for AVID.

The greatest feeling was having so many business owners reach out to me and express their gratitude. What sets AVID apart from other magazines would be that we are reachable and we provide an opportunity for the average business owner. Our features are not rich and famous; they have been in business probably less than 3 years and are still growing.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I really do not believe in luck good or bad luck. I believe in favor, blessings, and storms. I have been so blessed to meet so many great individuals as a result of AVID Magazine. It has not been easy but I do believe that everything happens for a reason and things that make us uncomfortable helps to make us stronger.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theavidmagazine.com
• Email: info@theavidmagazine.com
• Instagram: @avid_magazine
• Facebook: @theavidmagazine
• Twitter: @avid_magazine

Image Credit:
Chelsea Jackson

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.