An Inspired Business Idea

By Julie M. Young, Contributing Writer

If you live in or pass through Westmoreland County, you've probably noticed a complimentary publication distributed to local businesses like convenience stores and restaurants — Inspiring TIMES in Westmoreland. It doesn't take much to figure out what you'll find between the covers of the publication, as Inspiring TIMES strives to live up to its name as a family publication that enlightens and empowers its readers.

"We are committed to our goal of providing a quality publication and website with information to educate, enlighten, empower, and entertain," said Angela Rose-O'Brien, publisher and owner of Inspiring TIMES Family Publications. She describes the publication as Westmoreland County's premier family publication and top website (www.inspiringtimes.com). Formerly a tabloid-sized newspaper, Inspiring TIMES has partnered with an existing community website focused on promoting the county, www.inwestmoreland.com. Now, Inspiring TIMES in Westmoreland has grown into an 8x10 inch magazine that is published twice a month.

One of the recent issues of Inspiring TIMES in Westmoreland sports a bright glossy cover promoting hot air ballooning opportunities in the county. The cover story on ballooning promotes local tourism as well as gives readers an option for family get-togethers. Further inside the publication, stories relate information on community events like concerts in the park, theatre, and sporting events, as well as pertinent news items in Westmoreland County. In addition, this issue offers readers tips to fix up their resumes.

"Our goal is to continually provide readers and advertisers with a quality product by ensuring consistent, innovative editorial content that is relevant to the community, plus family-friendly advertising that adds value to the publication," said Rose-O'Brien. The print publication contains Westmoreland County news, how-to articles, and other editorial content, in addition to promoting local businesses to area consumers.

The impetus for such a publication came over five years ago, when Rose-O'Brien recognized a need in the community for an affordable, local, uplifting family publication that met the needs of women-owned and small businesses in Westmoreland County. Rose-O'Brien's business know-how in news publications came from many years of experience. After attending several semesters of college, she worked for a large corporation that owned 15 community newspapers. She started as an assistant and worked her way up the ladder to Major Accounts Manager and Advertising Manager before leaving to start her own publishing business.

In order to startInspiring TIMES, Rose-O'Brien overcame an obstacle familiar to nearly every entrepreneur — securing the initial cash flow to finance the business. "I started my business with no money," Rose-O'Brien said. "I sold a concept to my initial advertisers, and paid for the publication out of the pre-payment of the ads."

From that, Rose-O'Brien grew the publication to its current state not just by creating what she thought the publication should be, but also by monitoring the needs of the public. "We listened to our readers and our advertisers," she said. "When we asked 'What would make our publication better?' people responded." She planned for the future of Inspiring TIMES by joining forces with the In Westmoreland website. Partnering with a website gave readers easy access to information any time of the day, along with online coupons and a local business directory where readers could quickly find local services.

"Together we have created an exciting new media vehicle committed to bringing the county great deals from the best local businesses, great news about our home communities, and articles that make a positive difference in the family life of our readers," Rose-O'Brien said of the partnership. Rose-O'Brien also decided to expand in another manner: to mail the publication to subscribers for a small fee. Readers can still pick up a complimentary copy of Inspiring TIMES in Westmoreland at local businesses throughout the county, but loyal readers wanted to get their copies in an even easier manner — in their mailbox.

This combination of catering to the public and business acumen has garnered Rose-O'Brien recognition from various organizations. In 2004, she was recognized as one of the Best 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania. She is also listed in the 2005-2006 edition of the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. In 2003 the Women's Business Network of Southwestern Pennsylvania named her Woman of the Year; also that year, Pennsylvania Business Central, a bi-weekly business newspaper, named Rose-O'Brien one of their Top 100 People.

Rose-O'Brien's greatest inspiration to become a successful woman in business was her family, her daughters, and other women. She attributes some of her success to a few key qualities: "I could have never started my business without passion and tenacity," she said. "Be passionate about what you choose to do in life," Rose-O'Brien advises. "If you determine what motivates you, your work becomes your passion, not your job."

"You must believe in yourself and your product," Rose-O'Brien adds. One of her proudest accomplishments in the business realm is that she and her publication serve as a resource for networking, inspiration, and information that aids personal growth. "It is important to help other people along the way. Helping others to succeed adds to my fulfillment," she explained. "We make a difference in people's lives by connecting people with services as well as educating the public in a positive way."

Rose-O'Brien aids women in achieving their goals by being involved in many local organizations that support women. She's a member of the Westmoreland County Commission for Women and Families, ParentWise, Inc., the Girl Scout Council of Westmoreland County, and Women's Business Network of Southwestern Pennsylvania, to name a few. Since women still face many challenges in business and the publishing industry, Rose-O'Brien advocates activism. "Until women in Pennsylvania gain a status similar to that of men, it is imperative that we support organizations advocating the rights of all women," she said.

To that end, Rose-O'Brien continues down her path to educate, enlighten, empower, and entertain families in Westmoreland County and surrounding areas through publishing.