Meet Jill Trotter | Publisher/Franchisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Trotter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I started my community magazine in Eagle, Colorado to connect people and provide something for the local residents of my community. As a 20-year local in the Vail Valley, I have noticed most publications in our area are geared towards tourism. We love our guests and treasure those visiting our communities. However, the locals are the ones who provide the services making one’s vacation truly epic, and there is minimal media focused on or highlighting the local residents. 

Living in a mountain town brings with it many challenges; cost of housing, great expense in raising children/finding childcare, securing equitable employment to name a few. My publication not only brings people together by introducing them to their neighbors, schools and community leaders, but it also highlights young achievers, interesting pets, restaurants, bars and events, and things locals know but others may be curious about. A mountain town can be a transient community and it is difficult to feel like you belong.  Our community magazine is meant to give residents a feeling of connection and a sense of belonging. 

I have set up my publication to be easily duplicated in other mountain towns offering the right person the opportunity to create their own business with a Mountain Lifestyle magazine, connecting those in their town and providing a format for their residents to get to know one another, bond, inform, and build true community. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Mountain Lifestyle magazine is a local mountain town magazine. My publication is specific to Eagle, Colorado. However, I have set up my business to offer anyone in a mountain community the opportunity to establish their own Mountain Lifestyle magazine. The publication is for and about our residents and our community. All residents are welcome to contribute to the publication, send in photographs and story ideas, etc. 

Eagle, Colorado is a special place full of wonderful people. This publication is designed to increase social connection between residents and to develop a strong sense of community. 

The magazine is FREE and can be picked up at any one of ten locations in Eagle. Just look for our black magazine racks with the green 81631.co sticker on the front.  81631 is Eagle’s zip code.  

My goal is to create something that serves others and offers people like myself a professional opportunity to own/operate one’s own business, offering flexibility, income potential and strength of community. 

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

The magazine provides directories for quick access to information: Locals Schools & our School Calendar, Local Businesses, Shops, Restaurants, Events & Happenings in Eagle. Our magazine provides an overview of our community, the type of people we have living here and a guide to interesting things to do. 

What locals know about  his/her community is what the tourists want to find out; which trails are the best for a sunrise hike, the best stretch of river for fly fishing, the most beautiful mountain lake for an evening swim, the best value for a family dinner out, etc.  As a 20-year local, I am asked often by guests to our valley where to, what to, or how to. Locals know the most interesting people in town and the most exciting places to go and things to see and do. Mountain Lifestyle magazine is not only for our local Eagle neighbors, but it is also a terrific guide for a tourist.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to give a hearty Shoutout to the residents of Eagle, Colorado who graciously participate in our community magazine, sharing their stories with us and providing photos and inside information. I am also grateful to the businesses financially supporting the magazine and bringing it to reality. Without their partnership, our community magazine would not be possible. And a BIG thanks to our team: our Design Manager, Graphic Designer and Contributing Writers.

I would also like to personally give our Mayor, Scott Turnipseed, a Shoutout. Without his encouragement and partnership, I would not have had the motivation to move forward with the Mountain Lifestyle magazine project. 

To learn more about starting your own Mountain Lifestyle community magazine, contact Jill Trotter, 970-376-1282. 

Website: 81631.co

Instagram: 81631.co