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Megan Grandone, a determined mother and working professional from Western Illinois, moved to the Glen Carbon area with her family 10 years ago and has recently embarked on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with the assistance of the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Driven by her desire to bring positivity to her community and foster connections among the people of Southwest Illinois, Megan successfully launched her magazine, Ed Glen Living.

Having heard about the SBDC from family and friends who participated in the Metro East start-up challenge, Megan began working closely with the SBDC's director, Jo Ann Di Maggio May. Under Di Maggio May’s expert guidance, she navigated the complex world of entrepreneurship, connecting with organizations such as BNI and the Chamber of Commerce. Jo Ann also assisted Megan in establishing connections with various businesses for advertising purposes, further enhancing the visibility of her magazine.

"They have consistently provided invaluable guidance and helped me a lot with the business”, said Grandone.

Transitioning from her previous career as a physical therapist to starting her own business presented Megan with numerous challenges. However, the overwhelming support and enthusiasm she received after launching the first edition of Ed Glen Living motivated her to forge ahead. Witnessing how well-received her magazine was and how it resonated with people, Megan's determination has grown stronger.

“Megan's journey from a dedicated physical therapist to a successful entrepreneur is truly inspiring," said Di Maggio May. "With her unwavering passion and the support of the SBDC, she has been able to bring positivity and connection to her community through the creation of Ed Glen Living. I look forward to guiding and supporting her along the way."

Looking to the future, Megan aspires to collaborate with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to further connect area residents with campus events; develop close relationships with local schools to relay student success stories, report on sports, arts programs and academic achievements; and work with businesses and organizations to include more information on local events.

Ed Glen Living's inaugural edition was released earlier this month. More than 3,000 physical copies were directly mailed to individual households. The best part is, there are no subscription fees required to receive a copy of Ed Glen Living.

For those interested in reaching out to Megan, she can be contacted at (309) 299-3836 or via email at mgrandone@bestversionmedia.com. You can also find Ed Glen Living on Facebook, where you can stay updated on the latest news and connect with the magazine's community.

Photo: Megan Grandone, SBDC for the Metro East client.