Sass Magazine is a lifestyle and professional women’s magazine with an in-print publication as well as an online media resource for women across the US. But, we’re more than that. We are a resource for savvy and sassy women, of all ages, who are more than their careers, more than their families or children, more than their friends… a resource that focuses on THEM!
A Conversation with Katy Cawley, Brand Manager & Events Coordinator
Tell us your business or organization origin story!
“I’ve always had a dream of having my own magazine, even when I was little. Instead of playing with dolls, or video games, my sister and I (who now serves as our Copy Editor and Writer) used to create magazines and catalogs when we were younger. Then, when I started my own graphic design studio, Kalico Design, we had a lot of magazine clients where we handled the creative side for—branding, design, layout, and ad design. I still love the aspect of designing magazines, but I wanted more. I wanted to have a say in what went into the magazine, what stories, articles, and features were showcased, and who our audience would be. So, in late 2013, I decided it was time for me to start my own women’s lifestyle magazine – Sass Magazine.
And then I sat on the idea. For a year. How could I possibly pull off my own magazine?
Also, how could I possibly manage two different businesses? You know, that voice in the back of your mind screaming DOUBT! Luckily, I’m surrounded by a very supportive husband, family, friends, and colleagues whose encouragement spurred me on! I gathered a team of some pretty kick-ass ladies, and in January 2015 we had our kick-off meeting and have been working hard to put together Sass Magazine for you!” – Kim Dow
What do you like most about being a business located in Frederick County?
Frederick is such a great place to be a small business! The community is to loving of locally owned businesses and the connections you make with other business owners, leaders, and fabulous people is invaluable. One of our missions is to highlight incredible local women who are shaking things up and leading other in their field. Frederick has no lack of boss women whose stories we love to tell.
What makes your business unique?
We are a resource for savvy and sassy women—of all ages—who are more than their careers, more than their families or children, more than their friends… a resource that focuses on THEM! Because let’s be honest, we all work hard, we all love our families, our children, our friends, but more often than not, there is only a little crack of space left for US as women, as individuals. We want to help feed that space. We tell so many amazing stories, and provide resources about owning a business, being a female leader, empowering one another, so much more including fun lifestyle content.
What do you want your business to be known for, or what do you wish people knew about your business?
There is so much that we do! We are a community and platform that empowers women.
Whenever we tell people there are only two of us on the team, there is usually gasping. People don’t know we are more than just a magazine. We have a website with totally different content and national audience, we have a membership-based community for local female entrepreneurs called the Sass VIP society, we host several fabulous events throughout the year, we try to stay super involved in the community, and so much more.
We also have a surprising amount of male readers who are interested in learning about the women we feature and how to support them and our community better.
Share some of your community involvement efforts: do you support any particular nonprofits, volunteer, participate in social good campaigns?
Sass Magazine is based around community. We partner with tons of local businesses and organizations for every issue, event, and project we have. We partner with the chamber on several events including the recent SHE Means Business event. We are involved in a variety of events through support and in-kind sponsorships throughout the year like the Women Distance Festival and other non-profit events.
We try to find creative ways to involve other small businesses in what we do. We created a downtown day trip itinerary that leads you to some fabulous small businesses you may not know about. We have a Top Woman list in each issue that features more incredible women, host markets where we feature great local makers and vendors, and more
We do a lot of editorial collaborations and features with businesses like Style Me Sure, Catoctin Creek Distilling, Milkhouse Brewing, Colonial Jewelers and so many more to tell the stories of local businesses and what they have to offer.
What do you do best?
We have such an incredible community within Sass. The business owners, incredible women, and supportive and enthusiastic readers make up such an empowered and inspiring community of people. We create such unique content and connect an engaged local audience with local businesses through events and advertising.
Is there anything else exciting about your business that you want the Chamber membership to know about?
We are so excited about our Sass Holiday Market on November 5th! We will have local vendors, drinks, and charcuterie from Honey D Charcuterie at RAK Brewing from 6pm – 8pm. Come join us for happy hour and mix and mingle with the Sass community!
Everyone is welcome! https://sassmagazine.com/event/2024-sass-holiday-market/
Our next issue, The Holiday Issue releases on Monday! We can’t wait to share it! You can subscribe now to get your copy mailed to your door! https://sassmagazine.com/subscribe/
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.