Her Story
About Amy
Amy Gibbons is a seasoned publishing and media professional with more than 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and editorial development. She began her career in publishing in 2000 at Condé Nast, launching her foundation in print media before expanding into roles across a marketing agency and television. These early experiences helped her build a strong multidisciplinary background in storytelling, brand strategy, and audience engagement across multiple media platforms.
Following her early career growth, Amy held a variety of roles within the publishing industry before stepping away temporarily when she was pregnant with her third child. After a brief hiatus, her passion for publishing was reignited when she received a community magazine at her home that resonated deeply with her interest in local storytelling. This inspired her to re-enter the field, leading her to connect with the organization behind the publication and ultimately return to publishing two years ago with Best Version Media. Since then, she has expanded her impact, recently launching a second magazine—an achievement that reflects her continued growth and leadership in the industry.
In her current role as Publisher, Amy oversees all aspects of magazine production through her business, Community Connections Media, including editorial content, marketing and advertising strategy, layout and design, and community engagement initiatives. She actively builds relationships through networking events, business meetings, and collaborations with local organizations. A central focus of her work is highlighting nonprofits and charities, ensuring they receive meaningful visibility and support within the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, and a strong belief in my ability to achieve my goals. My career path has not always been linear, and I never expected to return to publishing after taking a significant break, but I’ve learned to trust the direction life takes me and remain open to new opportunities. Over time, I’ve also learned the importance of focusing on the present what I can control today rather than becoming overwhelmed by the long-term picture.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say believe in yourself, first and foremost, is the most important thing, because your energy feeds the world, the world feeds off your energy, so you need to really believe in yourself and trust yourself. And enjoy the journey. Try not to take it too seriously. Don't overthink it, you know? I never imagined I'd be back in publishing again, you know, having taken such a break and everything like that. But, you know, life just has a plan, and so you just follow the path wherever it takes you. And don't worry so much, you know, don't worry about the long run or the big picture. Just worry about the now and what you can control.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say it's probably the work-life balance for women. I think it's getting better, like, I think that in general, I think that the world is sort of accepting that more, and I do think the silver lining of COVID was that. So that sort of got the ball rolling, and I do think now we are all, especially women, are seeing that you can do it all. You may not necessarily feel like you're, you know, it's not necessarily always a balance, but there's a way to do it. And just finding whatever works for you, but not thinking that it's, you know, has to be all or nothing with anything.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, loyalty, and kindness are the core values that guide both my work and personal life. I believe in doing what is right with honesty and transparency, building strong and lasting relationships rooted in trust and dependability, and consistently leading with kindness in all interactions. I’ve found that choosing kindness not only strengthens connections but also creates a more positive and productive environment in every aspect of life.
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