In 2008, Nikki Bowman Mills, a West Virginia native, founded New South Media, Inc. and serves as president of the company, publisher, and editor-in-chief. Her mission was to create high-caliber publications that changed the perceptions of West Virginia by championing the state with positive stories. Because of Nikki’s vision and leadership, what started as a regional publishing company has exponentially grown into a national multimedia company.

A consummate entrepreneur and founder of Turn This Town Around, Nikki champions small business development and entrepreneurship. In 2024, she and her husband, Michael, were named Milan Puskar Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Morgantown Area Partnership. In 2019, Nikki was honored by the West Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association with the Excellence in Tourism Entrepreneurship Award. She was also chosen by SCORE as an American Small Business Champion. In 2016, Nikki was given the West Virginia Excellence in Support of the Arts award by the state Division of Culture and History, and in 2015, she received a national award as a Top Woman in Media by Folio. In 2014, she was also honored with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women Business Champion Award. In addition, the West Virginia Division of Tourism has recognized Nikki and her company with several Star of the Industry awards. 

Nikki and Michael are co-owners of New South Square on Main Street in Granville, which houses a small event space called The Silo in the Square and a restaurant and retail establishment called The F.A.R.M.