2024 is a big one for the N2 crew: This year officially marks 20 years in business! Our 20th anniversary is a testament to the power of community, innovation, and philanthropy. We invite you to join us in celebrating N2’s journey and the bright future ahead.
Back in June 2004, The N2 Company founders Duane Hixon and Earl Seals dared to dream of more — more of their core values represented in their work, more meaningful time with family, and more ways to positively impact the world. With the help of a dedicated team nationwide – one that has grown from Duane and Earl to more than 300 support team members and 500 franchisees (many of whom employ local staff as well) – they’ve built N2 into a beacon of excellence, known for industry-leading products, a stand-out culture, and a heart for philanthropy.
→ Interested in joining the N2 team? Take a look at our Support openings and franchise opportunities.
Today, the award-winning national franchisor and media leader gratefully marks its 20th anniversary, a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of our readers, advertising partners, and team members. From modest roots as a two-page newsletter, our products have evolved into stunning, high-quality publications (800+ of them!). Our flagship neighborhood product — recently rebranded as Stroll — has fostered countless meaningful connections between residents and local businesses.
“Our goal 20 years ago was to ‘turn neighborhoods into communities.’ The impact is beyond what we thought. Neighbors meet each other and build relationships because of the publication. It can be a little awkward walking up to a neighbor you don’t know and saying hello. But if you’ve read an article about where they moved from or about the pet they adopted, it makes starting a conversation much easier. I still love seeing the monthly requests from readers looking for extra copies because their loved ones (pets included) have been featured in print. Most of our photos are on our phones, and as convenient as that is, there’s still a hit of endorphins when we see our friends, and ourselves, on full-color glossy paper.”
-Duane Hixon, N2’s co-founder and CEO
Expanding our portfolio, N2 added two promising products to its repertoire — Real Producers in 2015 and BeLocal in 2017. Despite global pandemic challenges, N2’s resilience led to an annual revenue exceeding $100 million in 2022, a testament to the power of an engaged readership. Riding this wave of momentum, in January 2023, we introduced Greet, a line of magazines tailored to larger-scale neighborhoods and towns.
We also knew there was even more we could do to help great businesses connect with their ideal clients. That’s where Hyport Digital comes in – N2’s full-service in-house digital marketing agency. Through Hyport and our various lines of publications, advertisers now enjoy the powerful one-two-punch of print plus digital.
Recently, our cutting-edge print facility in Texas gained the capacity to print an astonishing 20 million pages monthly, propelling us to the forefront of print media excellence. Our team’s dedication to making a difference extends well beyond our bottom line. In 2016, we established N2GIVES, our global giving initiative to combat human trafficking. With a lifetime giving amount of more than $20 million, it underscores our unwavering commitment to positive change in communities near and far.
“It’s a blessing to build a business with great people and … see that business be a blessing to so many around the world.” -Earl Seals, N2’s co-founder and president.
What is the “secret sauce” that has enabled N2’s enduring success? Seals weighs in on that, too: “[First], a market niche was available and we stepped into it. Second, we dedicated ourselves to working hard – we gave everything to this mission. And finally, God’s favor. God makes a big difference.”
Our first two decades have been a whirlwind of exponential growth, earning N2 a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for eight consecutive years. We’ve also garnered accolades from Fortune, Entrepreneur, Outside, Franchise Business Review, and more.
As we embark on the next 20 years, our mission will remain steadfast: to build a nationwide business that honors God, strengthens the family, and creates wealth for everyone involved. Together, let’s illuminate the future for all N2 touches.
