Publisher - April 2026

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who
you become by achieving your goals.”
— Zig Ziglar —

 Pink Magazine is celebrating 22 years this month! It’s hard to believe 22 years has passed since I hesitantly turned in my two-weeks’ notice at the last corporate job I ever held to start my own company—Millen Publishing Group, LLC. Pink was born at my home in Hilton Head Plantation in a small, converted office next to the kitchen. I had no idea what to expect, and I really had no solid game plan on how to get my idea out of my head, onto paper, and into the hearts of women across Beaufort County. I believe the thing I had going most for me was I didn’t overthink it. I just did it, in no particular order, and nonetheless, the first issue of Pink Magazine came out on April 1, 2004. It was exciting, and before I knew it, its momentum was rolling, and I was on the way.

Our slogan back then was “Get in. We’re going places!” In hindsight, it was more of a goal, and we have reached that goal over and over again. Pink has provided so many blessings, opportunities and “places” for me and my staff to go, though hardly any of it ever involved travel. Our treasure has come through people and connections—our advertisers, the women we’ve featured, the tens of thousands of women who have attended the Pink Partinis, and all the readers—hundreds of thousands of readers—maybe millions—from all over the world.

I am so touched when someone tells me they mailed a copy to their daughter, or their friend, or sister or mother. That certain articles moved them, helped them heal, or inspired them. I had a mother tell me her daughter went through divorce the same time as I did, and my articles helped her daughter through it. I had a reader tell me how she keeps a Pink in the car in case she’s stopped in traffic. It’s her go-to field guide to feel good. It’s all so incredibly humbling.

Everyone not only adores our stories and editorials, they also love our cover art. It has become a thrilling passion of mine to find great talent both here at home, around the US, and all over the world. We have featured artists from six of the seven continents with great honor. I have to exalt all of our cover artists. We have had the grand fortune of artists wanting to work with us and even create covers especially for us.

Back when I was marketing director for a daily newspaper, it was my job, along with the editor-in-chief, to decide the above-the-fold lead story. This story was the “big” news of the day, the story that would motivate non-subscribers to buy a paper. From the experience I gained there, I learned how important it is for the cover to inspire people. Pink Magazine’s covers are not only inspirational, but also beautiful, colorful, invigorating, and emotional.

But so is the entire magazine. However, the best part of all is its heart. Pink has a big, empathetic heart that wants to reach out to everyone, give big hugs, and say, “everything is going to be ok.” That is why building community and connecting people through stories is so important to me. Storytelling is the soul of humanity. It’s how we grow, learn, feel, remember, pass down, and realize we’re not in this life alone. Story is our legacy.

Pink Magazine has served as my personal journal for 22 years. I have let you in on much of my inner self and how I process life’s ups and downs. I was 38 years old when the first Pink rolled off the giant printing press and into my hands. I sobbed. It was a giant release of fear and stress, mixed with a sense of accomplishment and tangible hope for the future. I wish I could say it has gotten easier over the years, but it hasn’t. It is a huge feat every month, which involves a multitude of moving parts and people, creativity on demand, sales and business skills, and challenging, fast-paced deadlines that do not wait on anyone—not even a 22-year-veteran.

The beauty of it all is the silver linings inside each grueling part. Those silver linings are people. They are YOU. Everyone that’s involved, and while it’s easy to think that doesn’t go further than the staff putting it together…it actually encompasses the entire world.

I can’t express my gratitude enough to anyone and everyone who has ever touched Pink. I have grown immensely and learned valuable life lessons through it all. I have learned to see beauty where I didn’t before. I have learned patience and urgency. I raised and provided for my children through this journey. I have almost lived my entire adult life developing the pages of this magazine, and it is a life—the good, the difficult and the unbearable—I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Pink’s mission from day one has been emPower, Inform, eNcourage and evoKe thought. Because we have always stayed true to these five words, with the determination to move our readers’ lives forward in some way and be a positive light for the community, this magazine has been blessed. Sometimes, I know for sure we are getting an “A” for effort from above. He knows the depth of our hearts, sees our dogged devotion, and allows this magazine mission to thrive. And in doing so, our lives are better, and we pray yours is, too.

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Millen