Our Story

It all began over 25 years ago. Co-Founders Jennifer Bryerton and Robin Johnson-Bethke were new mothers. They needed recommendations for local doctors, boutiques, schools, and home services. There was no resource like that for moms and dads in Charlottesville. We were inspired to develop our website to connect parents to the people and places that make our community special. In 2000, we debuted our print publications, CharlottesvilleFamily Life & Home magazine and the annual CharlottesvilleFamily Ultimate Go-To Guide.

Our award-winning stories are always positive, uplifting and engaging celebrations of local. Our creative team added the beautiful Wine & Country publications and many special projects over the years. And we’re still loving every minute of our work. We truly enjoy coming up with great ideas for readers and our advertising partners. Our hope is that the research and storytelling we do will “Help Make Parenting Easier & Growing Up Fun” for local families!

In 2024, the dynamic duo ventured into a new era of serving our community better by dividing the Wine & Country Life brand and the Charlottesville Family brand into two separate companies. This new model lets the partners focus on each brand’s needs. Today, Wine & Country Life and Wine & Country Weddings is led by Robin Johnson-Bethke as Wine & Country Media. CharlottesvilleFamily is led by Jennifer Bryerton as Zinnia Communications which has since added VirginiaSummerCamp,com and Roanoke Family Magazine to their portfolio. Both women continue to enjoy their longtime friendship and work with many of the same terrific creative professionals. We welcome you to enjoy our brands and the great media services both companies provide.

We hope you enjoy the read!

Charlottesville Family Bloom magazine covers, Ultimate Go-To Guide, KidFest and Camp Expo, Family Favorites

Get to Know Us

Jennifer Bryerton, Ma.Ed.
Co-Founder & Publisher

Robin Johnson-Bethke
Co-Founder

Beth Bryerton
Social Media & Design

Liz Valente, Virginia graphic designer who works for CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine

Liz Valente
Graphic Designer

Jody Hobbs Hesler
Copy Editor

Ellen Sewell
Associate Editor

Carrington Kernodle Epperson
Food Writer

Marc Boston
Columnist and Advisory Panel

Dr. Cara Goodwin
Columnist and Advisory Panel

Rick Epstein
Humor Columnist

Katharine Paljug
Online Editor

Suzannah Spaar
Bloom Editor

Our Professional Affiliations

At Zinnia Communications, LLC a SWAM-certified (Small, Women & Minority Owned-business) business, we’re inspired by the belief that by utilizing technology, working efficiently and attending to quality, we create publications that honor the reader and build a real connection with our local businesses. This belief has led to prosperous and long-standing relationships with our clients, who entrust us with their advertising and have enjoyed great success utilizing our niche publications to effectively reach their target markets since 1998. Ask us how we can diversify your supply chain.

We are members of the Parenting Media Association, American Marketing Association, and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce in order to grow our skills and collaborations. We are also proud to sponsor community organizations and events such as ARC of the Piedmont, Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, Cville Sabroso, Virginia Discovery Museum, Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, ReadyKids, Bennett’s Village, WildRock, Crozet Book Festival, BumpRise, LilyPads, and The Free Book Bus, among others. Our publisher, Jennifer Bryerton MaEd, serves on many panels and boards, organizes community events and is a frequent guest speaker on parenting and small business.

Press Releases

Our dedication to products that reach out to local readers extends well into our commitment to our community. In addition to sharing the stories of inspiring locals who are making a difference through their volunteerism and work, we are also pleased to be able to sponsor and support many area events and charities serving our family of readers. Take a ride in our virtual time machine by reading a summary of our press releases over the years to see how our company has developed.

charlottesvillefamily publisher jennifer breyerton published inBecoming An Unstoppable Woman Magazine: June 2025 Edition

CharlottesvilleFamily publisher Jennifer Bryerton published in Becoming An Unstoppable Woman Magazine: June 2025 Edition. Click to read!

click here to Read our press releases

CF Advisory Panel

At CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, we are proud to work with a dedicated group of local experts and community leaders who guide and inspire our content. These advisors include educators, healthcare professionals, and family advocates who bring invaluable knowledge to topics like child development, health, and parenting. Their insights help us create meaningful, family-centered articles and events that support parents in the Charlottesville area. Together, we share a mission to empower and connect local families while fostering a strong sense of community. We are grateful to our Advisory Panel for their ongoing contributions to making CharlottesvilleFamily a trusted resource for families.

click here to Meet our Advisory Panel

"Choosing Balance over 'Bigger is Better' in Business: Purpose Versus Scale"

Such a thoughtful conversation about building a business and raising a family with intention. Jen shares down-to-earth insights on choosing what truly matters, finding balance, and giving yourself permission to grow at a pace that supports your family life. We hope it inspires other parents and caregivers who are dreaming, building, or reinventing what’s next.

Listen Here

Our Story

Get to Know Us

Jennifer Bryerton, Ma.Ed. Co-Founder & Publisher

Robin Johnson-Bethke Co-Founder

Beth Bryerton Social Media & Design

Liz Valente Graphic Designer

Jody Hobbs Hesler Copy Editor

Ellen Sewell Associate Editor

Carrington Kernodle Epperson Food Writer

Marc Boston Columnist and Advisory Panel

Dr. Cara Goodwin Columnist and Advisory Panel

Rick Epstein Humor Columnist

Katharine Paljug Online Editor

Suzannah Spaar Bloom Editor