Tracey Ferguson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of JONES Magazine - Houston's most anticipated luxury publication.  First launched in 2005, Jones Magazine is the "Go To" fashion magazine catering to African American women. We recently caught up with Tracey at the special preview showing of her new show on Centric “Keeping Up with The Joneses”.

Crème Magazine: So how's it been transitioning from a local magazine to a national one? And what's it like having your experience documented in a reality show on Centric TV?

 
 
Tracey Ferguson: Tremendously different! Going from operating in a sphere of influence in your hometown to expanding that sphere nationally is really fantastic. Having the show, the now national magazine and JONESMAG.com launch around the same time is ambitious, but we did it! It's exciting to hear the feedback from Houstonians who have followed our journey, and also equally exciting to hear from people who are now having their first experience with the JONES brand.

CM: Tell us a little bit about the show?

TF: The show will give viewers a rare look at all the drama that goes into publishing each issue of JONES. They will also witness my efforts to balance home, family demands, work, ambition, grief and stress -- all the highs and lows of being a mogul-mom. We have challenging staffing issues; land mines to side step; my ambitious, musically-inclined teenagers to parent; photo shoots to improve; a potential investor to charm; and admittedly a few personality quirks to overcome.

 
CM: Will we see pressure-cooker moments of all the different stresses it takes to produce a magazine?

TF: Of course! And you'll understand why the stakes are personally high for me. I've put a lot into JONES for very personal reasons.

CM: Who is your readership and what is your current circulation?

TF: The JONES woman is bright, intelligent, sharp, insightful, stylish and adventurous. She's always on the hunt for premium items and experiences to better define her upwardly mobile lifestyle. JONES readers tend to be the "it girls" in their circles of influence. Women like Zoe Saldana, Thandie Newton, Angela Bassett, supermodel Iman, Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry and Alicia Keys.

 
CM: What inspired you to start JONES magazine, and what kind of content will we see in every issue?

TF: I had the concept for a good while, but the drive came after losing my husband, who supported me taking the plunge. My idea for JONES was born from a book club of really bright, interesting, stylish friends. We got together and had this tendency of unwittingly sharpening ourselves against each other's shoes, hairstylists, bags, boutiques, sales, travel destinations, restaurants, etc.

We were always chatting it up, sharing lifestyle information with each other. I got to thinking about how cool it would be to contain all of that information in a magazine format so other women could benefit from the insight too. It mattered to me where beauty, fashion and travel advice came from. I was always interested in stylish multicultural women and what they used, and how they held it down.

 
Shopping is the main event inside each issue of JONES. I like to think of JONES as the shopping guide for women who know better. In every issue we dig deeper to introduce the most exciting emerging designers, the best shopping spots and deals, the best in beauty and hair care, the best in travel worldwide, and, of course, events. Our content will always target savvy American-American and multicultural women who aspire to live or are living a fashion-forward lifestyle. You can count on the next issue to have even more thought-provoking articles and inspiring fashion photography.

CM: Now that the premiere issue is out, what theme are you working on for the next issue?

 
TF: We're plowing into the Fall 2010 issue next. It's completely absorbing. Can't give away the theme just yet, but know that we will be INDULGENT. In the meantime, our online managing editor, Qianna Smith, is not missing a single beat for summer, so there's always something to stay plugged into at JONESMAG.com.

CM: What do you do to relax in your spare time when you're not working on the magazine or taping the show?

TF: Right now there's actually very little relaxation on my calendar. I commute between Houston (home) and New York, and it's quite a GRIND. Still, whenever I can, I feed my inner travel bug and see the Mediterranean every chance I get. I love it there more than any place in the world. I do know how to take it down a notch and take great joy in simple niceties like hanging out with my kids for "Law & Order" or "Shark Week" marathons and catching up with girlfriends over chips, salsa and Texas margaritas. Ahhhh...

CM: Finally, give the ladies out there a few must-have items for this spring and summer.

 
Drum roll…

1)    Neutrogena self-tanner spray is a god-send for adding warmth to my body before donning a two-piece. It's like a great body bronzer without those annoying, childish flecks of glitter.

 
2)    L'Oreal's EverStrong Sulfate-free fortifying shampoo and conditioner is pretty impressive for radically, but gently, treating my summer-scorched hair. It adds a silky strength that doesn't leave my hair feeling like straw. It's wonderfully restorative and inexpensive.

 
3)    Moroccanoil is one of those product lines that I just cannot say enough about...No, really -- it's life-changing. If you torture your hair with relaxers, dryers, irons and color, it is the ANSWER for you. I get everything in the mail from beauty companies, but Moroccanoil is by far the best thing I could recommend for women of color all year. Don't snicker at the price. Just get it, and trust me on this one...

 
4)    I would never leave the house without a good spring/summer scarf. Something light and bright, like coral or periwinkle. It's the easiest most timeless accessory and it lifts even the simplest T-shirt.

 
5)    Wedges are so chic but predictable this summer, but I'm getting an even BIGGER kick out of my TOMS in marashino cherry red and in gold. Your ankles will thank you. Even cooler -- with every pair bought, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Check out their site, toms.com.

 
6)    My nail color of the moment is Van D' Go by Essie Cosmetics. It's this super-pale coral that looks amazing and unexpected against brown skin.

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Check out “Keeping up with the Joneses" on Centric