Deb Discenza, Preemie Magazine
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Name:Â Deb Discenza
Hometown: Springfield, VA
Current Residence (City, State): Springfield, VA
Education: M.A. English, B.A. English
Professional Background (brief, please):Â Publisher, Associate Publisher, Writer/Editor, Sr. VP of technology firm
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A best-selling author (when I aim, I aim big, don’t I?)
What you are:Â The Publisher and Founder of Preemie Magazine
Brief Summary of your Start Up: After giving birth to my daughter 10 weeks early, I found myself stunned that the mainstream parenting publications did not fit the special needs of our family. After much research I realized that no Preemie Magazine was on the market and that the audience for this niche was large and growing. We are providing our magazine free to parents and professionals that care for preemies from birth into the school years and have received rave reviews from our audience. We are going bi-monthly in 2007 and have plans for a conference in the latter half of the year.
Company Website? www.preemiemagazine.com
What inspired you? The early birth of my daughter, Becky – born 10 weeks too soon. She taught me what it means to have real courage, to fight for what I believe in and to understand life has its chaos but you have only one life to get it right. Take care of yourself and those that you love and the success will follow.
How long have you been in business? Since October 2004
How did you fund it? Advertiser revenue plus private funding.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? No
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Yes – Preemies Today, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition and the National Perinatal Association’s Family Advocacy Network.
Current Business Challenge? Handling our enormous growth in just one year.
What are you doing about it? Making sure our advertiser revenue increases with the growth in subscribers.
Favorite motivational quote:
“I love you, Mommyâ€
-Â Â Â Becky Discenza, almost three years old
Family? My husband Gregg (14 years and going strong!) and my beloved Becky, almost three years old.
If so, how do you balance family and business? I make sure to give time to my family, to my business but also myself. Taking time out to have sit-down breakfast and dinner with the family is crucial. Having that play-time with my husband and my daughter feeds my soul and also makes me a better business person. And taking time for myself, whether it be walking in the evening, reading a book or whatever, is what gives me a chance to re-charge and start fresh with each day. Achieving all of this is tough but setting limits
Favorite book?   Any of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
What do you do to relax? Play with my daughter, read books, take a walk. Does collapsing into bed each night count???!!!
What do you want to change most about your world? Peace – I would like to see our planet stop its wars and find a better way to handle the conflict at hand. Other than the obvious death and destruction, I am gravely concerned that we are teaching our children a conflicting message that will only continue anger and hate for generations to come.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of three things 1) my beautiful daughter for being such a fighter and such a sweetheart, 2) my loving husband of 14 years for putting up with me and 3) our team that puts out Preemie Magazine – we are helping so many people every single day and we get fan mail all of the time. I am truly blessed.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
1.   Write up a complete business plan. Your local SBA may be able to help you with this if you have not done it before.
2.   Find networking groups in your area – get out there and don’t be shy!
3.   If you get discouraged, stop and take a deep breath and step away for a bit. A different perspective means everything.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?
1.   The local library. They have a ton of business resources both in print and online that can help immensely in terms of research.
2.   The local SBA office. They have people on-hand to help you through everything from your business plan to financing to referrals.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Amethyst
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?)Â Â Yes!
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Publishing, technology.
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party� Sure!
If you are out of Utah County, would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? Yes.
