Elevating the East End: The Women Behind James Lane Post
By Kristen Oliveri
On the East End of Long Island, where community, culture and creativity intersect, James Lane Post has become a trusted voice highlighting the people and places that make the region unique.
At the helm are Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Co-Publisher and Editor, and Christine Prydatko, SVP of Business Development, two leaders dedicated to telling stories that not only inform, but also uplift the community.
In this conversation with Wealth Reimagined, we talk about the evolution of boutique media, what it takes to spotlight meaningful local stories and why celebrating the spirit of the East End has never been more important.
Q: Take us back to the beginning. How did James Lane Post come to be? What gap did you see, and what made you decide to build something of your own?
JM: My background in media began with The Independent, a local weekly newspaper, which my father co-founded in 1993. After studying photography at FIT, I worked as the Photo Editor and later became the Arts & Culture Editor, eventually being promoted to Executive Editor and Partner. We sold The Independent in 2017, and I continued as Associate Publisher and Executive Editor, contributing significantly to the paper’s redesign and growth. From delivering the first issue door-to-door as a child to receiving the “Newspaper of the Year” honor from NYPA in 2019, this journey equipped me with the skills I needed to start James Lane Post.
When The Independent merged with Dan’s Papers in 2020, I worked for a few months as Editor-At-Large, but ultimately decided to go out on my own. I teamed up with Christine, Ty Wenzel, and Bridget LeRoy. My goal with James Lane Post was to bring the arts and culture content I had been producing for years to the forefront, keep it all very positive, and aim to highlight “good people doing good things.” I wanted to create a lifestyle publication that authentically represented the East End and appealed to all full-time and part-time East Enders. It’s for everyone who loves and respects this beautiful corner of the earth.
I chose the name James Lane, inspired by the street in East Hampton. James is my father’s name, and I grew up in East Hampton. My husband Joe and I were married at The Hedges Inn on James Lane. It was a perfect fit.
CP: James Lane Post came to be when I received a phone call from my partner Jessica and she said “I am ready to launch my own publication and I know what is needed in the market and how to do it. I want you to join me on this adventure.” I myself, not having any experience in the media field, felt excited and thought if anyone knows how to do this it’s Jessica given her background in media and especially media in the Hamptons. I quickly said absolutely let’s do it, and we were on our way.
Q: James Lane Post has become a trusted voice in its community. How do you think about local storytelling in a time when so much media feels national, global or algorithm-driven?
JM: I’ve always felt it was important to strike a balance between stories of national/global interest and those that are more community-based. Here, it’s possible to do both. An interview with a figure on the East End can be both local and global. The pool of talent between the East End and New York City is endless, so there’s never a shortage of industry leaders and creatives to feature who are at the top of their craft or field. The goal is to have something for everyone to relate to when they pick up the paper or read our newsletter.
CP: First off trust has to be earned and established. The team and partners that were brought together not only had that, but truly understood the community from a year-round perspective, not just a seasonal one. Local story telling is so highly important, it allows the community to further connect, and stay in tuned in all the incredible work people are doing.
Q: As fellow entrepreneurs in media, what does it feel like to be building and sustaining a media business in 2026? What’s changed, and what has surprised you most along the way?
JM: People thought we were crazy to launch a publication during COVID, and while it had its challenges, I think we had a captive audience we might not have had otherwise. What surprised me most was how successful our print publication was from the start. While our digital platforms and events continue to grow, the print publication remains our cornerstone. I had somewhat expected the opposite when we began, but was pleasantly surprised -- print is alive and well.
CP: I believe in 2026 the biggest shift and change I have seen is how it's not just about reading the stories online or in the publication but how important the events have become to bring people together for true human connection around the exciting work others are doing in the community.
Q: What are your respective superpowers as founders?
JM: For me, it’s a strong work ethic and a keen eye. I’m willing to put in the time. And over time, I’ve learned every aspect of the business. I’m sure many entrepreneurs can relate.
CP: I believe for myself one of my superpowers is truly understanding strategic partnerships and how beautifully they can coexist. As well as always keeping an ear to the ground on trends and shifts, not just in the local market but in the global markets, that our readership may find useful to learn about.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s next for James Lane Post? Are there new verticals, formats or ideas you’re excited to explore as the brand evolves?
JM: We are continuously seeking new and exciting ways to grow. Our plans include expanded travel coverage and hosting more retreats (our next James Lane weekend is coming up at Sound View Greenport, April 10-11). Recently, we launched a wine collaboration with RGNY, which we are very excited about. And we’ve launched in New York City, expanding coverage and distributing to residential buildings and soon racks via the Grand Central Partnership.
CP: Yes, there are some exciting things we are exploring currently. A few new verticals we have already launched are more collaborations such as our wine line with local vineyard RGNY and we do not plan to stop there. Another is retreats and travel, helping curate fun experiences, not just locally but also in other locations such as our South of France & Sanremo retreat. As well as working on growing distribution, as we just announced in December 2025 that we now have New York City distribution which we will continue to grow there as well as looking into some other aligned markets.
Q: Media entrepreneurship can be exhilarating and exhausting. What keeps you grounded when things feel noisy or uncertain?
JM: Time spent with friends and family grounds me. Movement. Touching a little grass — we live in a beautiful place to do so. Or a glass of our RGNY wine after a long day!
CP: Honestly, I think there are endless possibilities, but the most important thing is to always stay grounded and true to the brand we have built.
Q: You both have deep roots in strong professional communities. Why do you believe having a strong female business network is not just helpful, but essential?
JM: It’s everything. We couldn’t do any of this without the support of our community. From anyone who has picked up a copy to those who support with advertising or purchase tickets to our events. We hope to give that same energy back and support as many businesses in this community as possible.
CP: Having female communities and being a part of them can be absolutely transformative. Women love to collaborate. We are able to create magic out of a shoestring budget if needed just to support each other. Without my female communities and colleagues, I don’t know how I would get half my work done.
Q: How have relationships with other women founders, creatives and business owners shaped the way you lead and grow James Lane Post?
JM: I think it has brought us the opportunity to collaborate with other creatives and business owners. We’re lucky to be able to do this with so many wonderful women founders. It’s all about supporting one another.
CP: We all have our own success stories as well as lessons learned stories and being to create safe spaces to share those experiences are so important. When they are in the thick of it and feel stuck or think other women’s success stories came so easily to them, the truth is not one founder never had a moment in time when they wanted to throw the towel in but yet chose resilience and that is truly the power of a woman.
Q: What’s the last book you read that stuck with you, and why did it resonate at this point in your journey?
JM: My great-grandfather wrote a book about his life (not published, just for family), which I recently reread. He tells stories about his travels around the world while working for Howard Gould as steward on the SY Niagara, and later running the Hempstead House in Sands Point, where he resided for decades as the Secretary/Chief of Staff for Gould, initially, and then Daniel Guggenheim. It has always inspired me to take the opportunity to travel and see the world. And looking back at such major moments in New York’s history, it has inspired a few upcoming articles for James Lane Post. I’m very nostalgic, so imagining those moments always resonates.
CP: Invisible Wealth by Jen Wines. I was running a couple of companies at the time, scaling them feeling absolutely burnt out. This book taught me wealth isn’t just money, but how you treat yourself and take care of yourself. It is so unbelievably important when you decide to go down the entrepreneurial path.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to women thinking about launching an entrepreneurial venture today, what would you want them to know?
JM: Be flexible. Be willing to learn parts of the job that may be outside your comfort zone. Be willing to pivot if something isn’t working or a new opportunity arises.
CP: Find a mentor or personal advisor to help give guidance. Get involved with like-minded people, learn from their stories and struggles and always remember failure isn’t a bad thing it’s just a bump in the road on your way to success. Lastly, if you need help ask for it, there is nothing wrong with that!