Local Media HQ Witchita Life Making Money via Dinner Clubs & Puzzles
Mar 6, 2026
Landon Heuslig, the founder of Wichita Life who built a large local newsletter and events business. He talks about growing to ~38,000 subscribers, using Facebook ads and ManyChat, and hiring a young social manager to spark viral memes. He explains running monthly Dinner Clubs that build community and sellouts, plus designing Wichita-themed puzzles and merch to diversify revenue.
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How Wichita Life Scaled Email Subscribers
- Wichita Life scaled to nearly 38,000 email subscribers using Facebook ads and ManyChat DMs to drive signups.
- Landon credits steady paid acquisition plus automated DM-to-subscribe flows for consistent list growth over months.
Local Puzzle Side Hustle Sold Through Shops
- Landon designed a Wichita-themed puzzle with a friend who works in product design and has sold about 500 units.
- He sells via local shops (30% retailer cut) and wholesale to museums and realtors, keeping inventory in his garage.
Find Social Hires Through Your Newsletter
- Hire social help by advertising in your newsletter and asking readers for referrals to find people who already know your brand.
- Landon posted a form, got ~13–15 applicants and hired Claire via a referral from his network.
