Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1324147
Fresh out of quarantine to record at Capricorn (!) an acknowledgement of the Outstanding Young Business Leader of the Year award. See all 2020 award recipients at maconchamber.com. DEAR LOYAL READER, As Macon Magazine moves into our 35th year, thank you for reading. We want you to find many more reasons in this issue to keep seeking, sharing and celebrating the good life and great stories. We want to hear your voices even more, so we added a new page of letters from our readers (p.8). Send us a note at hello@maconmagazine.com. I was honored to be chosen as the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce's young business leader of the year along with a crew of deserving individuals for various other awards, and I had the privilege of recording my acceptance at Capricorn Studios at Mercer University. Here is an excerpt of my acknowledgements: We are only as strong as our team. ere is no me without we. I am deeply grateful for the people who make me the successful mother, spouse, business person and community doer that I am. As COVID-19 became our reality and life shifted from in-person to virtual, our team quickly realized that we must make choices that are sustainable, not simply for the here and now. In Macon Magazine's 35th year, we continue our commitment to produce a badass inclusive regional publication that is equally one of our strongest economic development tools and connects us with, shares the stories of and ultimately directs us to fall more in love with our beloved Macon. We brought that laser focus into creating e Web work club, launched in 2019. is work to sustain a work-driven community with women-focused programming has given us the opportunity to grow with and support women in the workforce. And in the midst of a pandemic, we women are stronger than ever. If 2020 has shown us anything, it's that we can live, survive and maybe even thrive if we are willing to do the work and listen to one another. I've got plenty to learn, and I am ready. e day we stop learning is the day we stop living. I believe the best leaders serve with tact and heart. And I look forward to more collaboration with such great leadership at the Chamber and beyond. Leading in a post-pandemic world takes all of us. I am grateful for the work. With gratitude, SUSANNAH C. MADDUX susannah@maconmagazine.com EDITOR'S LETTER 10 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021