Hank and Mindi Rudan

Born in NJ, the relationship of Hank and Mindi Rudan has been a long and fruitful one. He as a former accountant for Maxwell House and a business entrepreneur, she writing professionally since the age of 19, first for local newspapers and later, national magazines. In 1995, the fairer Rudan recognized a dream when she was asked to write a book by the great Judith Reagan which was published just under a year later, titled “Men: The Handbook.” A voracious reader since the “see Dick run,” era, the printed word captivated, seduced and most often challenged her. “When used properly, the power of print has the miraculous capacity to inspire, influence, heal and move mountains to help.” A lesson she learned early on when a small newspaper in her hometown covered a “fun-fair” she and her brother were holding for a charity that supported asthma—a condition both her mother and brother suffered from. A reporter did a story on kids raising money to help an organization that could help their mom—and instead of a few people coming to the small backyard fair, nearly the entire neighborhood showed up—and hundreds of dollars were raised. The influence that small article generated had an impact on an entire community—and Mindi Rudan became a person enamored—and in awe of-- the power of the written word ever since.

In 1984 with a sizeable financial contribution from her mother and a second mortgage on their home, the couple risked it all and opened their printing and publishing company. Nine magazines followed, 2 being national and international (which became the darling of the talk shows in the 90s), and the latest three being Parkland Life Magazine covering a wonderful slice of “life” in Parkland and Coral Springs, Coconut Creek Life, in cooperation with the city, who soughtout Rudan for her commitment to community and BocaDelray Life which celebrates an equally sophisticated lifestyle. Modeled after many of the country’s great regionals, “Life Magazines” may not win a Pulitzer, but to the Rudans, they triumph the true successes in “life”: friends, family and community. “Our magazines herald the communities we serve and brings a cohesiveness to both the reader who we revere and never ignore and the business community who trust us enough to advertise with us. We bridge a relationship. Plus we highlight information people need to know about local government, civic and charitable organizations, events—yet we also make sure to showcase the winner of the local spelling bee and PeeWee baseball teams. We cover local life—much of which would not be highlighted by mainstream publications--and in so doing re-invent the “fun-fair” theory over and over again. Our publications bring awareness and attention to dozens of “little” triumphs that add to the fabric of this community every day. We connect the consumer to the business owner in a very personal way not usually offered. And we “pay it forward,” each and every month by using our “voice” to promote the wonderful endeavors of our vibrant community.”

Acknowledged with an “Up & Comer” award by South Florida Magazine as a publishing entrepreneur; by Women in Communications, as the Coconut Creek’s Business Person of the year in 2007, and most recently LIFE PUBLICATIONS was acknowledged as one of South Florida Business Leader Magazine’s Top 100 South Florida Small Businesses in 2009, and by dozens of charities and civic organizations for their company’s on-going contributions to the community, the Rudans have donated tens of thousands of dollars in space every year for the 25+ years they’ve been in business, to nearly every non-profit who simply asks. Plus their Life Magazines’ Birthday Bash—attended by over 2000 people each year, raised over $150,000 in funds that were given directly to benefit many local organizations.

The Rudans say they do business the “old-fashioned” way, honorably and thus their Life Publications is a happy, philanthropic company that lives by the “you reap what you sow,” theory of doing business.