Let’s take a break from the business news cycle. I love the news and I’ve covered it for a decade: what new startup is launching, why a stock price just moved, who’s being hired or fired. But there’s a whole universe of fascinating stories waiting to be covered about what’s old in business.
That’s why we’re launching The Distance, a new online magazine featuring original journalism about bootstrapped businesses that are at least 25 years old. If you’ve ever been curious about your favorite family-owned restaurant or that little shop on the corner, this is the publication for you. These businesses might not make headlines, but their owners have compelling stories about how they started, what they’ve learned, and why they keep doing it.
This is a heady time for people interested in great stories, whether it’s telling them or reading them. From newer sites like Vox and FiveThirtyEight and Narrative.ly to legacy media outlets that keep producing indispensable work (I still subscribe to two print newspapers), today’s readers have a lot of choices competing for their limited time. The Distance offers its own kind of storytelling – enjoyable reads about long-lasting businesses and the people behind them.
We’ll be publishing one story a month starting in May. We hope you find the companies of The Distance as interesting as we do and come back each month for more. (And while Basecamp is sponsoring the magazine, The Distance is editorially independent and we will not write about Basecamp customers.)
We’d also love to hear from you. If you know of any companies that would make good profile subjects, please let me know!
François
on 22 Apr 14Great idea ! I wish you the best.
Susan
on 22 Apr 14Great idea to feature those businesses that have weathered the economic ups and downs over the past several decades.
Vik
on 22 Apr 14Gr8 idea .. Quality counts over quantity which is essence to your brand and company .. Good luck can’t wait :-)
Anthony
on 22 Apr 14This seems awesome. I don’t know if you need to have them be over 25 years old tho. Any bootstrap business is fascinating.
ecbp
on 22 Apr 14Does this mean you guys will only be covering start ups that have raised at least a C or D financing round, no seed or A rounds, right?
jk :) great idea, looking forward to checking it out.
Miguel Angel
on 22 Apr 14Great Idea! I find it ideal as an alternative to those stories (which abound) about startups burning other people’s money and after a year …. disappear without a trace. All the best for THE DISTANCE.
Gilbert Lee
on 22 Apr 14Love the proposition of the magazine. I work for an 86-year old company that has been bootstrapped since the very beginning. O.C. Tanner does not have creditors and we are profitable every single year. The two founding families still privately own the company but they are super generous with their employees. We have a great story. Would love to connect you with us. We were featured in this book, Small Giants http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591841496/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1591841496&linkCode=as2&tag=plainsimplede-20
Amrita
on 23 Apr 14Glad you’re doing this. These are the kinds of stories I’ve always enjoyed in smaller community newspapers as well as in person with the small businesses in my neighbourhood. I’m looking forward to reading.
This discussion is closed.