TK Staff Profile: Lisa Loewen, Editor-in-Chief
Lisa Loewen is the Editor-in-Chief of TK Business Magazine and a Journalism professor at the University of Kansas where she has been teaching since 2004. Loewen brings more than 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing and public relations. Her extensive writing experience includes magazine, newspaper and broadcast, advertising, copy for print and television, as well as academic articles. She has been married for 26 years and has 4 children with a grandchild on the way.
What do you think makes a good story?
For me, the best story is one that gives the full picture of what it means to be a business owner or leader. I admire the people who take risks and go for their dreams, but those who fall flat and fail, maybe more than once, and yet pick themselves up and try again…those are the stories that give me hope that my children will still live the American dream. If people are willing persevere through impossible circumstances and come out on the other side better for it, maybe I should do the same.
What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to improve their writing?
A book on grammar. When I went off to college to pursue my journalism degree, my mother, who was also a journalist, gave me the book, “Painless Grammar” by Rebecca Elliott. She inscribed it for me with these words: You can be the best writer in the world, but if your grammar is bad, your story will get lost.
What is unique about writing for a specific niche like businesses and business leaders?
Because our audience is comprised of business owners and leaders, our content needs to be relevant and helpful to that audience. Our readers understand business. They understand entrepreneurship. They don’t need us to tell them what it is or how to do their jobs. What they need is someone to listen to their experiences opinions and expertise and then share that with others in the community. We help make connections by providing a platform where businesses can share stories, information and resources to build a stronger community.
What has been your favorite story you have written for TK? Why?
My favorite TK stories are those of the Business Hall of Fame Laureates. These individuals have so much knowledge, expertise and just life experience that I wish I could spend hours learning about. They inspire me to be better, to work harder, and to give back.
What are you currently reading?
My son is writing a book. I am a beta reader.
When you get ‘writer’s block’ or can’t seem to find the words, what do you do?
I go for a walk. I find that putting some distance between myself and the computer and filling my head with fresh air can get my brain back into the groove of writing. Sometimes we try too hard to find the words that are already there waiting to be written. If I let my brain go somewhere else, those words come to the surface.
