Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

In response to my recent post about resources for women in business, Jessica over at TheHomeCast pointed me toward MediaPostPublications' "Magazine Rack" entry about PINK Magazine.  As I mentioned in my reply to Jessica, I both agree and disagree with reviewer Phyllis Fine's comments.  (I also have to admit I got a good giggle out of the fact that I just read my December.January 2006 issue last night, which also happens to be the issue Ms. Fine reviewed.  Perfect timing!)

Before I go any further, I have to admit to a little slip of the tongue (or keyboard?) on my previous post.  I mentioned having a subscription to PINK when in actuality I just looked at the cover and realized it's a copy I purchased myself, and plan to subscribe to.  Either way, I've paid for my copies and my opinions are expressed under the "I bought it, so I'm gonna say what I really think" clause.  (I just don't want any of the Pink Ladies to come after me when they check their subscriber database and don't see my name there. [Sorry, I just couldn't resist that nod to Grease!])

Anywho, all jokes aside, (okay, most of them) here are my thoughts on this review of PINK:

• Ms. Fine breaks down the magazine quite nicely, to be honest.  Yes, the "bad breath = bad impression" has a bit of the "duh" factor to it, but at least they threw in some tips from a real live dentist about preventing bad breath.  After all, you can bet your breath mints most people don't realize that alcohol-based mouthwashes can make the issue worse, not better.
• The "unfunny cartoon" about the M.B.A. and makeovers...titled "Four Easy Steps to a NEW YOU", by the way...okay, I'm with Ms. Fine on that one.  I was left shaking my head about the relevancy of it as well.  But I did get a chuckle out of the beginning and end results, so I can't say it was totally unfunny.  Just, um, pointless.
• More points I agree on: The Nelson Mandela quote in the Anne Sweeney piece and the "big break" for a L'Oreal exec via a headhunter...definitely didn't make me feel a connection to these "successful" women.  I believe I felt more like Lowly the Worm, frankly.  Must be nice, but we aren't all at that level yet. 
• On the flip side, not all of the writing is as mundane or unsophisticated as one would think from this review.  Perhaps it's just me, based on the issues I've faced over the past two years, but a quote in the "Soul Food" spot by Dr. Kathleen Hall truly spoke to me.  "It just takes one event, one moment, one breath, and all of a sudden you realize you're not having fun anymore," she says.  "...You've earned the right to do only what you can do."  How very often we women refuse to recognize this, or to repeat it to each other.  And how very apropos it is that we are reminded in a business-focused publication of this.  At a time when women are attempting to find balance in all areas of their lives, it's mighty darn nice to read things like this.