Editor's Column

Issue May/June 1997

Dear Readers,

I don't think I have ever told you how I chose, in 1988, to become a publisher instead of an architect.

You see, I had been an architect with an M.A. and a track record of both making money and being rewarded with awards and prizes, yet feeling displaced and unhappy most of the time. There were two exceptions to this unhappiness: 1. when I was part of a team that competed in a national or international competition. The adrenaline flow and the need to communicate was very uplifting and exciting. It all disappeared though when we predictably won--I bought my first car, several overseas trips, etc. from my winnings. 2. When working in Israel, I was responsible for the new developments in Jerusalem, and had to talk a lot. In fact some 14 hours a day, for some meager salary, to be exact, $350 a month after taxes. So, it was neither the money, nor the lack of the money that played key roles in my feelings about my profession or job.

In 1987, I was working through a temporary agency for architects, and made some mistakes, so I lost my job. I was unemployed for a while, this was right after the Black Monday, there were no jobs for architects, there was no building because there was no money. I spent some time being depressed and feeling sorry for myself, and then I thought, that this may be the opportunity I had always wanted to turn my life around, and have the occurrence of happiness in my professional life more abundant than it had been. I did a test from the bestseller, "What Color Is Your Parachute?" and the result was that what I wanted to do for a living is

"Put ink on paper and communicate."

Architecture definitely involved putting ink on paper, but communication, especially with words, was not very much part of the job. I first thought about advertising design, but being from a communist country, I barely grasped the basics of advertising, so I wasn't very sure, and besides, I didn't know if it really needed speaking or not. The second thought was: publishing. I also saw that I had to do it for myself, I couldn't possibly want to communicate someone else's thoughts, that is not me! This is a plan! I thought, and started to look for a startup job. I sent out two letters to the two local TV throwaway magazines, and I got one reply: "You can come and sell advertising for us, we don't have publisher's assistant, or apprentice job-titles." "Fine, it is a stepping stone," I thought and took the job. As it turned out, it was more than a stepping stone, it was the difference between a struggling artist and a successful publisher. Mentertainment is a successful publishing business because I can spend as much or as little time selling advertising as I want... if I want, I spend seven extra hours, and have seven extra ads. If I want, I hire a staff, and double, triple, quadruple sales and production, and troubles. I built a magazine that is like a dream, it is working, it is easy, it is accepted, and isn't that all you ever wanted in a business? It has survived all the competition, in fact, it got stronger in the eyes of the customers, because it is the only magazine that aims to serve, and does it consistently well.

Here is the thing: it has become too easy for me. I want to move on and do some things I don't know how to do! Where I can talk about other things than go-go girls and go-go bars! I am done with Mentertainment, it doesn't even need me any longer. I am ready to sell. So if this sounds like a "For Sale" classified, it is.

Mentertainment is looking for a buyer, who wants to be trained in running and operating the magazine so that he can keep it successful and make it as big or as small as he wishes. To be politically correct, the person can be a woman, or a corporation, as well.

If you are interested, contact me at email for phone #. If you know someone who may be interested... same phone number. Make sure they know the magazine before they call. They must have the means to buy!



What am I going to do after I quit? I may contribute editorials to the new Mentertainment; I will continue Mentertainment's web-site, that is still new and exciting, so I haven't gotten bored with it; I'll dabble in network marketing, Internet publishing, Internet marketing; will have time to lead more courses in "Powerful Living," and "Unconceal Your Wealth," not just once a week; I'll have time to travel, finally take a vacation, swim, visit the Jersey Shore, fall in love, who knows? I am still young. 50 but have another 70 to live.

I've started to take a new set of vitamins and minerals and my outlook on life has completely changed: I used to run from depression, and get very busy, it surely can't reach you there. I have been depression-free for a month, and now I can dream about a life where I am not busy. After all, if you are too busy, then you are too busy to make money. I am ready to become wealthy! Life: I am available to play!



Love you guys! I am not going anywhere! If everything goes as planned, the new guys... they haven't called yet! will have to train for about 4-6 months, so I'll be still running Sophie's Mentertainment for that time. And after that! I'll be available on the website: http://www.mentertainment.com. or by e-mail: sophie@mentertainment.com.

Sophie