Publisher Monica Montgomery
Age: 30
Location: Washington, DC | 
|
Arete ( /ˈærətiː/; Greek: ἀρετή), in its basic sense, means excellence of any kind
UTP: Where did the idea for Arete Magazine come from?
Monica Montgomery: The idea came in Oct. 2010. I'm naturally reflective around my birthday and coming from a non-profit background my focus was on ways to impact the world. I wanted to become the media and create my own content.
What's Arete's purpose?
MM: There aren't too many printed publications that document the experience of living a lifestyle of giving. How can we increase the impact, make a ripple on the environment, inspire other people? Let's celebrate the inspiration through a magazine, that's what Arete is.
What did it take create the magazine?
MM: It took a lot to create Arete; vision casting, writing it down, planning and understanding, recruiting supporters. People cheer when things are good but friends/supporters are few & far between when starting anything. I had to find a body of consistant workers. It takes a lot of time and money organizing photo shoots, bringing the publication into print but it's very rewarding when that finished product appears.
Any tough times?
MM: Finding good people to put in work consistently; writers, photographers, brand ambassadors, etc. Keeping people motivated is a must, not just me but everyone has to be in sync. A strong team can be a beautiful thing. Raising a small fortune to bring each publication to print each month is a task too but to have a physical copy of our magazine to save, show to friends, cherish, and collect is priceless.
Who reads Arete?
MM: We hit 18-40 young professional set, emerging and coming into their own. We skew toward African American & minorites because I am African American but in no way are we exclusive. Overall we call our readers Savvy Do Gooders because between any race, age or creed that's the equalizer; they have a heart for service.
What kind of feedback has Arete gotten?
MM: We launched in NY, DC and Philadelphia this year and at each one we've had an attendance of 200-300 people. The turnout is always overwhelming, virtually and in person. We hit a niche that is needed. The issues we feed people through our magazine they love and eat up. It gives out warm & fuzzies when we talk about those who are doing good in their communities. It's funny how people kind of come out of the wood works to link me to information from all over the country- report good in neighbors, letting me know what's good.
Future plans for Arete?
MM: We plan to develop our five C's of Arete, which are Charity, Culture, Cause, Community & Change. We would like to feature and focus on these individually within our publication. The spring of next year we are going to present a creative moxie in Brooklyn, which will award women who are doing good work in arts & culture.
Tell Arete your good news : Aretemag@gmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/SavvyDoGooder
UTP: Where did the idea for Arete Magazine come from?
Monica Montgomery: The idea came in Oct. 2010. I'm naturally reflective around my birthday and coming from a non-profit background my focus was on ways to impact the world. I wanted to become the media and create my own content.
What's Arete's purpose?
MM: There aren't too many printed publications that document the experience of living a lifestyle of giving. How can we increase the impact, make a ripple on the environment, inspire other people? Let's celebrate the inspiration through a magazine, that's what Arete is.
What did it take create the magazine?
MM: It took a lot to create Arete; vision casting, writing it down, planning and understanding, recruiting supporters. People cheer when things are good but friends/supporters are few & far between when starting anything. I had to find a body of consistant workers. It takes a lot of time and money organizing photo shoots, bringing the publication into print but it's very rewarding when that finished product appears.
Any tough times?
MM: Finding good people to put in work consistently; writers, photographers, brand ambassadors, etc. Keeping people motivated is a must, not just me but everyone has to be in sync. A strong team can be a beautiful thing. Raising a small fortune to bring each publication to print each month is a task too but to have a physical copy of our magazine to save, show to friends, cherish, and collect is priceless.
Who reads Arete?
MM: We hit 18-40 young professional set, emerging and coming into their own. We skew toward African American & minorites because I am African American but in no way are we exclusive. Overall we call our readers Savvy Do Gooders because between any race, age or creed that's the equalizer; they have a heart for service.
What kind of feedback has Arete gotten?
MM: We launched in NY, DC and Philadelphia this year and at each one we've had an attendance of 200-300 people. The turnout is always overwhelming, virtually and in person. We hit a niche that is needed. The issues we feed people through our magazine they love and eat up. It gives out warm & fuzzies when we talk about those who are doing good in their communities. It's funny how people kind of come out of the wood works to link me to information from all over the country- report good in neighbors, letting me know what's good.
Future plans for Arete?
MM: We plan to develop our five C's of Arete, which are Charity, Culture, Cause, Community & Change. We would like to feature and focus on these individually within our publication. The spring of next year we are going to present a creative moxie in Brooklyn, which will award women who are doing good work in arts & culture.
Tell Arete your good news : Aretemag@gmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/SavvyDoGooder
