When Susan Gale's children were growing up, she found it difficult to find comprehensive, local information for parents.
Whether it be summer camps, or children-oriented weekend events, she spent a lot of time each week piecing together information from different resources.
The experience inspired her to found Rhode Island Parent Magazine, a free publication created specifically for Ocean State parents.
"I saw a need to provide a central place for parents; a one-stop shop for parenting in Rhode Island," Gale said.
Gale, founder and publisher, started the magazine two years ago, publishing the first edition in July 2015. She says there were similar magazines in other states, including Connecticut and Massachusetts, but not in Rhode Island when she first started.
The niche publication is now offered for free in 400 locations throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, including Stop & Shop Co. and Dave's Marketplace.
The growing popularity of her magazine has fueled Gale's optimism about print publications, which runs contrary to many concerns about reduced circulation amounts within the industry.
"I really think that people still love magazines," Gale said. "Parents can pick it up quickly and are able to look through it quickly. I saw it as a magazine and a website, allowing multiple ways people can get that information."
The magazine, which features a different Rhode Island child on each cover, is full of local stories, written by local authors.
It also comprises guest columns from Rhode Island businesses and individuals who work with children. A local doctor, for instance, recently wrote a column about head lice.
The magazine's website also includes a business directory and calendar of events, the latter of which Gale says is tremendously popular.
"We try very hard to pull all the parent-related activities together," she said. "When we build our calendar, we go to 50 different websites. … It takes a lot of time, and it's hard for parents who don't have time to do it. I'm trying to put together all the information that's out there in little pieces into one place for parents."
Advertising revenue has grown since the beginning, Gale added, although she declined to disclose annual sales.
"We're growing," she said. "I get people calling me to advertise, and that's been [happening] since the beginning. We have a niche audience and most of our advertisers are related to kids in some way."
Gale hopes that as the company grows, she'll be able to host company events, including camp fairs, where different summer or winter camps can come together for a day, allowing parents and children to explore what's out there in one place.
She'd also like the company to become a place for parents to build a community with one another.
"By being that central site, parents all over the state can read about kids and other parents from other parts of the state, which would create a sense of community parenting," she explained. •