Mike Fuller, Owner & Publisher
In 2003, after recognizing the need for local Oahu businesses to have a marketing venue to share their stories with the community, Mike Fuller created Talk Story Magazine, and today, is the Owner and Publisher of Talk Story Magazine, Kailua Town Magazine, and Hawaii Kai Magazine, all published by Talk Story Magazine, Inc.  By 2008, the company had mailed over two million magazines to the residents of Oahu, Hawaii.

Mike’s first foray into the publishing world was as Editor of his high school yearbook in 1989, but it took him another ten years to get into the publishing business full time.  After graduating from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, with a degree in Communication, Mike spent a few years as a part-time radio disc jockey while also working at what he calls “typical corporate America” jobs.  In 1999, he “escaped the cubicle” for good.  Before starting Talk Story Magazine, Mike was an Account Executive for two other magazines: TexasMINT and Clipper Magazine.

Born and raised in Texas, Mike feels lucky every day to now call Hawaii home, having lived here since 2001.  Mike recognizes there is a little bit of irony in being a “haole boy from Texas” publishing a magazine all about “talking story”, but he has always considered it his responsibility as Publisher to serve the local community by helping share the stories of Hawaii’s best local businesses.  “I have the best job in the world,” he says.  “I get to go around the island every day and just talk story with people who own local businesses.  In all my years of advertising, I have found that everyone has a story: where they come from, why they do what they do, what motivates them.  We take great pride in bringing these stories to the people of Oahu.”

When not working, Mike enjoys going to the beach, coaching/watching his kids' soccer games, and spending time with family and friends.  He is the proud father of two great kids who are very patient when Dad has deadlines.  They live in Makakilo with their two dogs.

Click here to send Mike an email.

 

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Diane Parks, Editor & Contributing Writer

Diane Parks earned her Journalism degree at the University of Nebraska, and through the years has written for newspapers and magazines in Illinois, California, Hawaii, and Texas.  In addition to Talk Story Magazine and its sister publications, she serves as Associate Editor of Texas Outdoors Journal, a monthly outdoors magazine.

Click here to send Diane an email.

 

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Lisa Shaw, Head Writer

Lisa Shaw knows all about talking story. A local Portuguese girl who grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii, Talk Story Magazine allows her to combine the two things she loves best: talking and writing. 

“I love talking to clients, getting to know them, their stories, and then creating a little taste of who they are for the magazine.  Not only do I get to meet and learn about really interesting people and their local businesses, but I get to introduce them to Talk Story Magazine readers - who then discover a lot of really wonderful and valuable resources.”

Lisa has been writing for Talk Story and its family of magazines since 2003 and is very proud to be a part of the team.  “I love hearing from clients how Talk Story has made a positive impact on their business, and I am really proud of how the magazine looks.”

Lisa started writing poetry at the age of ten and was the self-described “odd haole girl in school who spoke pidgin, but also loved to read Shakespeare”. She graduated from Waipahu High School and then went on to get her graduate degree at University of Hawaii at Manoa.

“I used to say I wanted to be a mommy, a writer and a teacher when I grew up, and I’ve been lucky enough to do all three.  I’ve home schooled my two beautiful daughters for the last five years, while writing from my Waianae home. And although my older girl is now attending high school, Mommy is still her favorite teacher.”

In her free time, when not staying up all night for deadline, looking for freelance gigs, teaching, cooking, cleaning, driving her girls around, working on the great American novel, etc., etc., Lisa likes to sleep.

Click here to send Lisa an email.

 

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Jennifer Eisenberger, Advertising Designer

Jennifer Eisenberger has been working with Talk Story Magazine for over three years. She runs Windward Designs, Inc. (www.windwarddesigns.com) which offers graphic and web design services. Jennifer has a degree in Art History from the University of New Mexico and post graduate training in Graphic Design from the University of Hawaii. Windward Designs is happy to have the opportunity to work with the friendly folks at Talk Story!

Click here to send Jennifer an email.

 

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 Ruben Byrd, Advertising Designer

Ruben Byrd of Mongrel Designs (www.mongreldesigns.com) grew up in Hawaii, on Oahu, in the McCully/Moiliili area. He went to Kaimuki High School and took a few classes at KCC. As fortune would have it he met a lovely girl who was going move to Northern California to get a degree in veterinary medicine.

Ruben gave up paradise to follow her and now, eight years later, they are married with far too many pets.

Ruben has over seven years experience in the industry including extensive digital and offset design work. He specializes in vector illustration, print design and flash animations. He is a little fuzzy on the definition of “specialize”. Mongrel Designs also provides state-of-the-art print services, but that's another story.

Click here to send Ruben an email.

 

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MORE STAFF BIOS COMING SOON!