Inc.’s Hofman on focusing on entrepreneurs

Mike Hofman

Russell Sherman of the “Press Profiles” podcast interviewed Mike Hofman, the editor in chief of Inc. magazine, as it nears its 50th anniversary.

Hofman returned to the publication in March. He started his journalism career at Inc. in 1996, rising to editor of Inc.com before moving to a series of digital leadership roles at Glamour and GQ. He returned to Mansueto Ventures in October 2021 as executive editor and head of digital at Fast Company.

“Inc. was a brand where I grew up as a journalist,” said Hofman, who spent 15 years at the magazine before leaving. “I love the brand and respect what it does.”

He noted that Inc.’s strong suit is covering entrepreneurs and how they are growing. “The people who build who build those companies and run those companies are the people we think about as our core audience,” said Hofman.

“People who are building something that could be a much bigger thing … that’s a really fascinating group,” he added. Inc. was the first magazine to put Apple founder Steve Jobs on the cover in October 1981.

To listen, go here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.