by Hanna Singh
With a passion for her hometown, one Ruston resident returned home after pursuing big dreams and became a more integral part of the Lincoln Parish community.
Now serving as the Marketing and Events Manager for the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Publisher of Lola Magazine and a devoted mother of two, Bevin Sutton Hicks is a woman who wears many hats. Her commitment to uplifting her community and sharing other’s stories is a testament to her love for the place she calls home.
Born and raised in Ruston, Hicks grew up loving the unique mix of small-town charm and big-town culture in the community. In 2005, she graduated from Louisiana Tech University, with a degree in marketing and an undeniable passion for storytelling.
Eager to pursue her career, she moved to Shreveport where she spent a decade working in print media advertising. During that time, Hicks gained media experience, which eventually led her to take a bold step toward starting her own publication. Shortly after the birth of her second child, Hicks realized she wanted to devote more time to her kids, prompting her to refocus her career in a way that allowed her to still pursue her passion for publishing.
“I guess Sutton was about six months old when I decided I wanted to spend more time with my kids. I just thought that I wanted to create a publication that told real stories about real women and not paid stories,” Hicks said. “So, I decided to start a women’s publication for all of North Louisiana. I didn’t know how it was going to go, but that was eight years ago, and it’s done great. It has been the biggest honor of my life.”
Based in Shreveport, Lola Magazine has become a beloved North Louisiana publication for lady’s lifestyle. With sections on fashion and beauty, home and entertaining, family and children, and inspiring interviews with Louisiana women, Hicks created Lola to celebrate the vibrant lives of ladies in the state.
At the heart of the magazine’s success, Hicks credits her biggest source of support, her Advertising Director. Hicks believes that the successful journey of Lola Magazine would not have been possible without the other half of the publication’s heartbeat, her longtime friend, Carie Hart. With their team, they’ve created a way to uplift and connect women across the region.
While publishing her own lifestyle magazine, Hicks finds joy in connecting with many incredible women from all walks of life and learning about their trials and successes. Hicks realized that giving a voice to these remarkable women was part of her passion and purpose. Lola Magazine writer, Terri Netterville, described Hicks as a role model, noting her unique talent to make her corner of the world a better place.
“She is a visionary whose ultimate desire is to use her voice, her platform and especially Lola Magazine as a means to inspire and empower others who are yearning to leave a positive and lasting impact in their own corner of the world,” Netterville said. “Bevin Hicks is such a Louisiana treasure whose spirit draws out comfort in her beloved hometown of Ruston, Louisiana, but whose soul soars mightily with all of us luckily enough to have landed along her life path.”
After some time working on Lola, Hicks realized that spending more time with her children wasn’t all that Hicks wanted to do for them. She began to feel that being closer to family was just as important. In 2018, Hicks and her family made the decision to return to Ruston, her beloved hometown.
Reflecting on her own childhood, she knew Ruston would provide the kind of environment where she’d want her children to grow up. Having been gone for over 15 years, Hicks was somewhat hesitant about her return. However, she eventually recognized that it was the best decision she had ever made.
It didn’t take long for Hicks’ talent for media and communication to be recognized in her hometown. Will Dearmon, President and CEO of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, saw her potential and reached out to discuss job with the Chamber. Despite already balancing motherhood and her work with Lola, Hicks took on the position as Marketing and Events Manager. In this role, she found herself working on events and promoting local initiatives. Since stepping into this position, Hicks feels she has become more involved in the Ruston community and has been given the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
“Although I have so enjoyed being in all of North Louisiana, my family and my kids are here. I’m so invested in Ruston and how much it has grown in the 15 years that I was gone,” Hicks said. “I’m so proud of this town. It’s not only such a good place to raise kids, but also such a good place to do life. I feel that my heart is pulling me to stay in this area and to do what I can to make Ruston even better.”
As the Marketing and Events Manager for the Chamber, Hicks interacts with Ruston residents in all walks of life. Meeting with businesses and entrepreneurs, she builds connections in all different parts of the community. Her work has not gone unnoticed by the community and by her peers She has earned the admiration of many, including President of the Chamber Will Dearmon, who recognized the positive impact she has made.
“Bevin is so much more than just the title, she is so much more than just a chamber employee or a business peer. She’s a great friend and a tremendous community partner,” Dearmon said. “In terms of the professionalism she brings to events and our marketing efforts, obviously, she’s got a background in bringing stories to life with her background in Lola Magazine. So, bringing her on a few years ago was a great decision, one that I take pride in as well. She’s just really what we needed.”
In her role at the Chamber, Hicks oversees the promotions for events, including legislative luncheons, ribbons cuttings, groundbreakings and more. Currently, Hicks is helping with the Leadership Lincoln, a 10-month class where participants will deepen their knowledge of the community and critical industries across Lincoln Parish.
Meanwhile, for Lola, Hicks is currently working on the holiday edition of the magazine. As far as her work between Lola and the Chamber, Hicks isn’t sure where the next few years will take her. However, one thing is clear—she remains committed to doing her part for the success of her community. With Ruston in a period of growth, Hicks knows that there is work to be done to keep people coming to see what is here.
“It is so exciting because daily we get calls and submissions for new memberships because there are so many new businesses coming to Ruston,” Hicks said. “There’s a lot to look forward to here and the future is bright. Our leadership is so good right now. Shoutout to Mayor Walker.”
As the town continues to grow, Hicks and her team at the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will keep supporting local businesses and sharing the unique qualities that make Ruston such a special place to live and thrive.
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