Keely Conrey, Founder of North Shore City Lifestyle
Name: Keely Conrey
Founder: North Shore City Lifestyle
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I help to connect local businesses with the community in a personal way with unique one stop shop multi channel marketing to help build brand awareness as a 3rd party "neighbor". We offer print, digital, and social media marketing solutions via North Shore City Lifestyle magazine as the credible conduit.
What's your story?
Advertising and Journalism has always been my passion. Since a child, it is all I ever wanted to do. When people would ask me, "What do you want to me when you grow up?" I'd say, "I want to make commercials or publish my own magazine and books." I attended Michigan State University simply because that university was #1 in Advertising in the world. Double majored in Advertising and Journalism. Worked at 3 top agencies before they shut down. Then ventured into TV and worked for Fox Television for many years, before heading off on a sales journey and exploring several other opportunities. Traveled a ton as a road warrior in sales, even worked in the middle east, Africa, and Asia. Returned home with my WHY...my daughter, Kaira. My husband and I had an E-commerce company called Reallycolor.com for several years. We sold this company to an Israeli investment firm and I decided to start my own publication...finally!!!!
The next chapter in my life is just beginning...North Shore City Lifestyle magazine celebrated our 1 year anniversary in November 2025. I'm elated and cannot wait to watch this grow beyond my imagination and hopefully pass this onto my brilliant daughter one day! Excited for all the future possibilities!
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Connection and serial networking is key for this business. I need to KNOW my community...the people, the businesses, and the organizations that make the North Shore so incredibly special. We have so many wonderful women in our community, thriving, working, volunteering, and going above and beyond, lifting each other up and supporting one another. I love that and I'm here for it!
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I try to do all I can to follow, like, share, google reviews, support them with my magazine and on social media...also, show up for events, and help to sponsor or market events. I share my positive experiences with their business to everyone I can, and I'm a serial networker....I try to be the ultimate wingwoman and bring women together, or plan get togethers where women can meet one another.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
I need recos! I know, I know...I'm late to the Podcast game!
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
The Little Red Book of Selling is quick easy and really great for anyone in sales
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
My mom! She is a BOSS!! She worked her way up from nothing and was an Entrepreneur her entire life. She lights up a room and makes it all look effortless. Her accomplishments are impressive, but her kindness and love shines above it all.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
Strategized, reached out to everyone I knew, planned, networked, built my team
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
My 1st Editor in Chief, Amelia Levin, is incredible. She jumped in with both feet. Her loyalty and hard work is how I was truly able to make this happen and get it off the ground.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
Immediately my magazine became my full time gig. I was all-in from the get go.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
Listening. Not talking at people but engaging and listening. Asking questions instead of just presenting or explaining to deaf ears.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
Myself alongside my social media coordinator. We brainstorm and she delivers the content in a much prettier way than I am able to do. Consistency and finding right angles to help the business and our clients shine, while collaborating with the right people to reach the proper audience. My challenge is not knowing how to do this all myself. I want to take my skills to the next level.
How did you land your first client?
Had a coffee, discussed possibilities, listened to their needs and offered a solution. Brooke Milton from Edit + Design was my very first magazine client. She said YES before I even had a media kit to show her.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I'm the girl next door, not the publisher flashing media kits, closing a deal and disappearing. I schedule follow up meetings and stay engaged. Selling an ad and just walking away for a year is easy, but collaborating with my clients and making sure I'm supporting their business at every level, connecting them with business owners and others. Creating an in-network magazine community with my clients and vendors/partners on the daily.
Did you raise capital? What was the process and avenue you chose to take?
No. It was a grind for about 6 months and still is a year later, but consistently growing.
Have you sold a business? If so, how did you know when it was time to sell? What were the steps you took to make it happen? What advice would you give to someone looking to sell?
Yes, I had a business with my husband called ReallyColor.com. We sold almost two years ago. It was time for both of us to move on. I honestly didn't handle much of that piece, so cannot really offer much advice there. My husband handled it all.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
Great question. I would have managed my work/life balance a bit better and scheduled more time for myself and my family...I was head down and absent during some times I wish I hadn't been.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
Outreach, research, Connecting and networking, with a ton of consistent follow up. Once I secure a new client, I make sure to reach out and check in regularly. That last task is most challenging once growth starts to happen, because it's easy to miss a few steps when client base starts to increase.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
I was selling AIR! City Lifestyle publications are all over the country...240 nationwide publications. Chicagoland area had ZERO! I was bringing the first City Lifestyle Publication to town and essentially had to sell myself and build the reputation from scratch.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Believe in yourself, keep going, stay consistent in your efforts, try not to get distracted and lose hope. Much of it is a mind game. Don't let the haters get into your headspace; stay focused.
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