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Magazine Publisher Changes Career to Graphic Design

Changing careers wasn’t easy, but Susan Hund-Milne said it was the right thing for her to do.

For 13 years, Hund-Milne co-owned Advanced Publishing, which produced Spotlight on Wichita and Wichita Hi-Lighter magazine. This summer she sold the publications to Mid-States Publications and began an independent venture – AP Creative.

AP Creative provides graphic design for ads, promotional materials, newsletters, brochures, mailers, letterheads and business cards. It also offers photography, branding and media buying.

Her goal is to help clients polish their image and expand their advertising reach with quality ad materials.

As a magazine producer, Hund-Milne was mostly in charge of writing and editing. She looks forward to being involved in design and marketing strategies.

“I love being a jack-of-all-trades and still knowing what resources to call on if I encounter a need for a specialized skill,” Hund-Milne said.

The marketing and graphic design business is competitive in Wichita, but Hund-Milne said she doesn’t intend to compete with big companies. Her focus is on small businesses and helping them grow.

“I love helping mom and pop businesses because they represent great quality of life and provide good products and service,” Hund-Milne said. “I want to stay small and focus on integrity and promoting their business.”

Hund-Milne admits she’s not an expert on starting a business from scratch but recommends having a solid plan and clearly defined target audience. She also suggests taking advantage of local resources, including Wichita State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Center; the city of Wichita’s Office of Economic Development; Sedgwick County Department of Economic Development; and Wichita Technology Corp.

Hund-Milne’s business partner and friend, Mark Sageser, died last year in a plane crash. He co-owned Advanced Publishing and led the sales and community outreach portion of the business.

“Mark and I did totally different things in business, but we went together like peas and carrots,” she said. “We had total trust in each other.”

Sageser was also a business mentor to Hund-Milne, guiding her to develop a successful business philosophy and plan.

“I still miss him a lot but once I sold the publications I finally had time to grieve,” she said. “Before that I was totally focused 24/7 just trying to keep the business afloat. It was real tough.”

Schedule flexibility is a plus for Hund-Milne. Before Advance Publishing, she was a full-time mother and freelance writer. Now, as a small business owner, she deals with traditional concerns including affordable health insurance and feelings of isolation.

“I deal with this by meeting for lunch with other professionals to brainstorm, trade ideas and catch up on what’s happening in the business community,” Hund-Milne said.

“I’m excited about having a business I can continue for years and don’t ever want to stop working.”

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