Page 60 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2022

Face of Embellish
RYLEE CATES, OWNER
Opening a boutique had always been in the back
of Rylee Cates’ mind, but the reality has been better than the dream. “It’s something I’ve always thought, and then a sweet friend offered me a part time job
in her boutique and I just loved being there and downtown and meeting people,” said Cates. “So when a small spot opened up, that same friend offered it to me and I said yes!”
She started her own business with no prior experience, and while she says there have been “what the heck” moments, it has been an amazing experience. “I have learned that if I put my mind to it, there is nothing I can’t do!” she says.
Born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Cates loves her community. “While I’m from here, it never escapes me that we live in such a unique and beautiful place,” she says. “The genuine people and the strong sense of community is something that I adore. I am so happy I am raising my girls, Bella and Briar, and building my business in South Mississippi.”
Embellish
900 B Washington Ave., Ocean Springs Facebook@embellish.os | 228.326.7940
Faces of M2 Media Corp.
MARY AND MICHAEL SUNDERMAN
Most people know our magazine by South Mississippi Living, but we are actually part of a larger company, M2 Media Corp, which is named for publishers Mary and Michael Sunderman.
The Sundermans have been in the publishing
industry for the majority of their careers, starting out in Cottonwood, Arizona. They’ve worked alongside each other from the start, initially as sales representatives for the Verde Independent, then moving to the Laughlin Gambler, where Michael was associate publisher and Mary was sales manager. In 1990, the two started the Laughlin Nevada Times, which is still printed today.
A few years later in 1994, the Sundermans moved to South Mississippi, following the legalization of gambling, to start Jackpot!, which has become the largest gaming magazine in the Southeast. Also under the M2 umbrella are Mississippi Gaming News, a newsletter for gaming insiders, Discover Coastal Mississippi, the region’s tourism magazine, and, of course, South Mississippi Living.
12268 Intraplex Pkwy., Gulfport 228.385.7703
www.smliving.net www.jackpotmagazine.com www.mslagamingnews.com www.discovercoastalms.com
60 | January 2022 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living