In 2001, my husband and I went to the Labor Day Parade. My father had driven up from Anderson, Ind., to spend a few days with us. We had not brought folding chairs, so we sat on the parkway lawn in front of someone’s home. While sitting there, this young lady came by passing out fliers. It was two folded sheets creased in the middle, making 8 pages. It was called “Positively Naperville.” I glanced through it and thought this paper will never survive.
First off, the paper’s name was “Positively Naperville.” The title narrowed its circulation down to serve Naperville. It would have a much broader population if the title were “Positively DuPage & Will County.”
Also, it was a “freebie.” Printing and publishing and distributing a newspaper cost a pretty penny. And the publisher was a “newbie” to Naperville who wouldn’t know all the important people in town. Also, it could be read online, but back then no one read a paper online.
The paper consisted of two large sheets, folded in half, consisting of 8 pages. Those first 8 pages are now 32 to 48 pages every month. Publisher Stephanie is now a very good friend, and when making presentations, loves to tell the people that Bev Patterson Frier said her paper would never be successful.
Sorry, Steph! Thanks for proving me wrong.
And I love the name “Positively.” The editors are so very careful to only print positive stories. Thanks for that, too.
At that parade my father said he couldn’t believe how many kids there were in it and they were all from Naperville. He surmised it must be the water here!
