“Business Life” Magazine Publisher/Editor John Krikorian remembered as “Entrepreneur, Women in Business Coach” and Armenian Businessman who helped others” in SoCal

Mariam Aguilar, Business Analysts, Latino Business Chamber of Commerce with Business Life Publisher John Krikorian seen here at an Economic Forecast by Chief Economist Jack Kyser always went out of his way to promote woman in business.

 

This story was first published on Examiner.com Exactly one month ago (April 6, 2013) Business Entrepreneur and “Business Life” Magazine Founder and Publisher John Krikorian passed away of heart failure at age 80. Just two years ago while at an event to be honored by the Glendale Fire Dept. for his community involvement (“Service Above Self”), he suffered a massive heart attack, but recovered. His son, Greg Krikorian, who’s also heavily involved in the community, told the Glendale News Press, “Our family is so grateful for what the Glendale Fire Department was able to do for this extra year and a half of life.”

View slideshow: Community business mentor & ‘Business Life’ publisher John Krikorian remembered

ohn was a survivor of many things and never gave up at managing Business Life Magazine, of which he founded and covering Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena and other SoCal business stories like a glove. Even after recovering from his heart failure, he continued his passion of sharing Southland business news.

This writer had the pleasure of working with John Krikorian as a media representative. He reported on the unique business stories, which were not covered in larger publications like the annual high achievers of Women in Business (more than two decades). He even interviewed a Smart Grid technology industry leader in downtown LA before anyone else did, because he knew the City of Glendale was the first to received federal funding to test smart grid technology.

Krikorian was born in Hartford, Conn., the state capital and nicknamed “Insurance Capital of the World”, His parents, Hovnatan and Elizabeth Krikorian immigrated to the U.S. as orphans and are survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide from Kharpet, Armenia. Krikorian grew up in New Britain, CT with his siblings, Lucy, George and Steven.

Aida Mayo (left), president , MAYO Communications International at Women In Business Awards event with Client Business Life Magazine Editor, John Krikorian and friend in 2010, LA

 

Shortly after getting his B.S. /B.A. in Management and Accounting from Bryant University, Krikorian joined the US Army as a sergeant during the Korean War. He also attended the University of Connecticut while seeking his master’s in business admin. During a visit to Atlantic City, NJ, Krikorian attended an Armenian dance hosted by the Armenian Young Federation (A.Y.F). It was there that he met the love of his life, Elsie Manoogian of Cleveland, OH. A short time later they married in 1956 in Hartford, Conn.

The Krikorians started a family that grew to eight children: Richard, Diane, Nishan, Gregory, Stephen, David, Tamara and the youngest, Ara. After three decades at the Hartford Courant, first as travel reporter and later V.P. in marketing and advertising, he moved to the West Coast in 1989. Joined by his children (in particular Greg Krikorian), Krikorians established Business Life Magazine in 1990, followed by Krikorian Marketing and Senior Living. John Krikorian, busy with his magazine always found time to be with his eight children and 22 grandkids. Additionally, he was active in many civic organizations, including Glendale Adventist Medical Center Advisory Council, the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission, County of Los Angeles Human Relations Corporate Advisory Council, Pasadena’s Mayor Disability Committee, Woodbury University President’s Executive Council, and Pasadena Special Olympics.

He spent time working for causes important to people, whose voices were less heard such as Armenian small business owners and the disabled.

He was proud of his Armenian heritage and tirelessly raised awareness of Armenian issues in both Connecticut and California. John has a foundation set up in his name: the John Krikorian Journalism Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of the Verdugos. And finally, John Krikorian was a true friend, a business colleague, a mentor of young and old in business, an honest man with traditional business and family values. He leaves a legacy behind with his family and business. As business writer and friend for many years, Krikorian, the humble businessman, will be missed dearly by everyone, who was lucky enough to work with him.