Publisher - April 2025

Photography by
Cassidy Dunn Photography

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

I love who I’ve become in my 21 years of publishing Pink Magazine. Though it has been grueling and tough at times, this job, which I consider a mission, has made me smarter, wiser, more savvy, humble, well-read, patient and disciplined. However, owning Pink comes with a huge responsibility, which I don’t take lightly. I am absolutely inspired every day to feature women from all walks of life and offer the best stories in hopes of making a positive difference.

It’s hard to believe 21 years has passed since I hesitantly turned in my two-weeks notice at the last corporate job I ever held to start this company—Millen Publishing Group, LLC. Pink was born in my home in Hilton Head Plantation in a small room beside the kitchen that I converted into an office. I had no idea what to expect, and I really had no solid game plan on how to get the 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 is 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, the momentum was rolling, and we were on our way.

Our slogan back then was “Get in. We’re going places!” In hindsight, it was more of a goal, and we 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 how much the magazine means to them, and how they save articles and send them to their friends, daughters, or sisters. That means I did my job because that certain article, whichever one it was, 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. She said her daughter kept my articles folded in her Bible beside her bed. That blew me away—so incredibly humbling.

One wonderful woman told me she mails magazines every month to everyone in her cul-de-sac back in Maryland where she moved from. They all love it! I can’t thank you enough for scattering the love of Pink to your loved ones and letting me know what’s touching your heart. Please email me anytime at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It may take me a while, but I will respond.

Everyone adores Pink’s cover art, and 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 continents with great honor. We have had the grand fortune of artists wanting to work with us and even create art special 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. I hope you can feel them!

Pink Magazine has served as my personal journal for 21 years. I have let you all 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 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 really hasn’t. It is a huge feat every month that involves a multitude of moving parts and people, creativity on demand, sales and business skills, and challenging, fast-paced deadlines that come and go too quickly. The beauty of it all is the silver linings inside each grueling part. Those silver linings are people. They are YOU.

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 though 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 through 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.

Sometimes, I know for sure we are getting an “A” for effort from above. He knows the depth of our hearts and sees our dogged devotion and allows this magazine to thrive. And in doing so, our lives are better, and I pray yours is, too.

This month’s Pink Partini is our birthday celebration! Come join the fun with us on April 10 at Bad Biscuit in Coligny Plaza! Everyone’s invited. See details on page 4 or click here.

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Millen