The Good Life – July-August 2023
Ten years, hundreds of stories, and thousands of lives impacted. Founders of The Good Life reveal the magazine's origin story (and more) to mark its 10th anniversary. Also in this issue, Dad Life on the topic of Helicopter Parents, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and its fleet of vehicles, Having A Beer with Dawn and Darren from Urban Toad Media and more!
Ten years, hundreds of stories, and thousands of lives impacted. Founders of The Good Life reveal the magazine's origin story (and more) to mark its 10th anniversary.
Also in this issue, Dad Life on the topic of Helicopter Parents, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and its fleet of vehicles, Having A Beer with Dawn and Darren from Urban Toad Media and more!
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HAVING A BEER WITH | URBAN TOAD MEDIA<br />
was more interest-based in the beginning, but we always<br />
had a local hero, always had a story about fathers and<br />
parenting… this Having A Beer With column came along<br />
around 2015.<br />
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned<br />
about the publication business?<br />
DARREN: <strong>The</strong> biggest surprise was how much people<br />
embraced it almost immediately and how much we’ve<br />
gained hearing people's stories.<br />
DAWN: Having enough time in<br />
the day… designing, marketing<br />
and selling ads. It can be hard to<br />
switch from a creative brain to a<br />
sales brain. So I guess the most<br />
surprising thing is even though<br />
we’re crazy busy <strong>–</strong> it’s always fun!<br />
Best ever interview?<br />
DARREN: All the heroes, all the veterans. Every one. We<br />
are honored they share their stories with us. Each of them<br />
has a powerful story. I have other favorites<br />
for different reasons. Because I’m<br />
such a hockey fanatic, working<br />
with Matt Cullen was great. I<br />
got to photograph NHL games<br />
and hang out with the Stanley<br />
Cup for a day.<br />
30 | THE GOOD LIFE<br />
Never build a BMX ramp on<br />
the sidewalk when you’re in<br />
the sixth grade. <strong>The</strong> ramp<br />
will fail. <strong>–</strong> Darren<br />
DAWN: Mine would be Christopher Zimmerman, a<br />
Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Music Director. We<br />
got to spend the day with him, go to the symphony, and<br />
meet a world famous cellist and violoncellist. It was a<br />
fantastic day.<br />
Darren, you shoot photos for lots of events…<br />
What's a favorite memory or favorite event?<br />
DARREN: Concerts are one of my favorites because of the<br />
fast-paced, high energy atmosphere<br />
and all the working components<br />
that go into it. I've been fortunate<br />
to shoot some really cool<br />
shows. But the Minnesota Wild<br />
games were my favorite thing<br />
to shoot ever because of the<br />
professionalism I witnessed. It<br />
was a great experience for me.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hard working behind-thescenes<br />
stuff energizes me.<br />
You two are both positive people… Where does<br />
that come from?<br />
DARREN: That's a great question. Being grateful for the<br />
opportunities we have. Laugh often, be weird and silly.<br />
Grab a beer and laugh. And that thing you’re doing that<br />
you don’t like <strong>–</strong> stop doing that.<br />
DAWN: We surround ourselves with good people <strong>–</strong> people
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