Hidden Gems: Meet Dr. Sharon H. Porter of Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sharon H. Porter.

Hi Dr. Porter, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine was launched March 2020. We are celebrating two years in business. Before launching the magazine, I was a book publisher and also dabbled a little into graphic design. For many years as I developed media kits and various documents for clients, I thought to myself that I really would like to create a magazine.

In March 2019, my previous business partner and. I was having a conversation as we were riding to a speaking event. She mentioned that she wanted to do a magazine. I exclaimed, so did I. We immediately started working on the launch. I was in charge of the design and layout of the magazine and my business partner was in charge of sales. January 2022, I became sole owner of Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media, LLC.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The major obstacle, in the beginning, was finding advertising sponsors. Being a new small publication, many businesses were not willing to take the chance of investing in the magazine. With time, this has become much better. We now have several advertisers that have purchased ad space on an annual basis. Without advertisers, the cost of the magazine has been higher than what I would like. I have been able to recruit a dynamic sales team and they have made an incredible difference in our bottom line.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine is a bi-monthly print and digital publication. We also offer access as a flipbook. Our columns include:

Dawn Inspires
L.E.A.D.
EducationFIRST
It’s All Business
BookTalk
Let’s Talk Politics
Mind, Body, & Soul
Your Finance
TechWorld
Women Who Lead
Home Sweet Home
Bon Voyage
NC Feature

We are most proud of the dynamic features in each issue of the magazine. We have featured the second black Police Chief in the Raleigh Police Department, Actress, comedienne, and host Kiana Dancie, DaVante Williams, the Uber Driver who assisted a teenager in the Washington, DC, snowstorm and so many inspiring individuals throughout the country.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I want to thank my Sales Director, Mrs. Michelle B. Hauser. She has been my motivator, my cheerleader, and my prayer partner. because of Michelle, I continue this work, even when it seems difficult.

I also have to thank my photographer and Design Consultant, Mr. James Adéll of James Adéll Photography. He is an excellent photographer and thought partner. Everything is better once he provides his feedback, recommendations, and suggestions.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@vandpmagazine.com
• Website: www.vandpmagazine.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/vandpmagazine
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/vandpmagazine