Meet Joey Best.
Joey is a local business person known to many! She is a Writer and Publisher and Marketing Specialist making a difference to many local businesses.
Tell us a little bit about you, what you do here in Sedona?
I am a Sedona serial entrepreneur. I began by looking for a way to support my three children, which back in 1980’s offered very little. I worked for KAZM, the original Sedona Times and Kiss Radio . I soon realized the only way to really support my children was to create my own job. I wrote down all of my skills and got creative. I had a degree in Journalism and Broadcast Media. So, I created the Sedona Video Magazine…a video magazine about Sedona sprinkled with advertisements. It was quite a challenge to get that into the hotel rooms in 1988. I worked with the GM of Warner Cable, the engineers at Scientific Atlantic and Leon Lunsway of Arroyo Roble Hotel. With a lot of blood , sweat and tears we went on the air. It was one of the first hotel networks in the US. That evolved into the Sedona Galleries & Artists video magazine dedicated solely to the arts. I also ended up producing a PBS series for a local bronze artist, Ken Payne. While I was selling advertisements Uptown, I was constantly stopped by tourists looking for directions. I would end up drawing maps. In 1992, I created Sedona’s Best Visitor’s Guide. I felt it was a win-win just like the video magazine. It connected tourists who wanted directions and business owners who wanted to attract them to their doors. It was one of the first Apple digitally designed magazines in the US . The only other one at the time I believe was Redbook.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would travel to Placencia, Belize. I lived there briefly and found the people and the laid -back culture inviting and one of the most relaxing places on earth.
Q: What is one thing you wish you learned earlier in your life?
A: Follow your creative pursuits and passion , then everything will fall into place.
Q: How long have you lived in Sedona, and what do you love the most about living here?
A: I have lived here for 40 years and I love the closeness to the natural Beauty of Sedona, which is a daily inspiration for me. Sedona is a virtual vortex of creativity.
Q: What one piece of advice changed your life?
A: Always choose Love not Fear!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Sedona?
A: Donald O’ Connor. I met him in 1994 when I did the first Film Festival Tribute. He had a certain aura about him that was innocent yet worldly. He was totally dedicated to entertaining people. He would pop over to my studio and sometimes ask me to create personalized productions, like a video apology to Shirley Mc Laine for being unable to make her event. We ended up being great friends.
Q: When family or friends come to visit, where do you take them?
A: A helicopter or a jeep ride is the best way to see and learn about Sedona. I also take them up Oak Creek Canyon for one of the most scenic drives in the US.
Q: If you had an opportunity to be any age, what age would that be and why?
A: I would like to stay the same age I am because of the knowledge I have acquired. I wouldn’t want to give that up.
Q: What do you consider your greatest life accomplishment?
A: Giving birth to my three children and creating a family.
Q: What do you consider your greatest business accomplishment?
A: Starting a business using solely my creativity.
Q: How would your closest friend/s describe you?
A: A fun -loving , creative, hard worker.
Q: Choosing anyone who would you love to have lunch with?
A: Steven Spielberg. I would love to discuss some of the movies I’m working on.
Q: What one thing in your life is meaningful?
A: The love of having each other especially family.
Q: What would you like people to know about you?
A: I’m always looking for a way to help someone achieve their goals and wildest dreams to come true in a win-win solution. I’m constantly creating a movie or some kind of invention in my head.
