About Machel
Southern California Columnist Machel Penn Shull
Formally a model and actress the 90’s in Hollywood, Machel has learned firsthand the importance of image, marketing and promotion for any business. Booking over 20 commercials, national ad campaigns such as the St. Ives,
St. Ive's Campaign-National Print and Commercial Campaign 1998-1999
Adidas , Coors Light, GM Motors, Chevrolet and guest starring roles on sitcoms like “Married With Children,” she also starred in a movie at the beginning of her acting career. In 1997, HBO Workspace invited her to showcase a play that she wrote, produced, directed and starred in: ”Carried Away.” This play was an orignal three act comedy that showcased her talents as a serious writer.
1997 Machel attended U.C.L.A’s fiction writer’s workshop program for two years in Los Angeles. There she studied plot, editing, copywriting and character development.
In 1999, Machel relocated to San Diego where her primary goal focused specifically on her knowledge that she had gained from working in entertainment and her experience as a writer. Her credentials included working for two multimillion dollar newspaper companies as a senior avertising executive. Her responsibilities included writing press releases, creating ad slogans, consulting with clients on creative design, which were then used for on-line and advertising print campaigns. She also began her freelance writing career. In 1999, Machel completed her first novel (copyright 2001). As a fiction writer, Machel has also written two children’s books, a compilation of short stories and one novella. Here is a link to her most recent published work: EAST COAST AUTUMN.
In 2005, Machel began working in the Community Newspaper industry in Rancho Santa Fe, working for The Rancho Santa Fe Review. There she worked as a Senior Advertising Executive and wrote press releases for various clients in San Diego, as well as profiling clients for special advertising supplemental sections each month.
In 2007, Machel became head of marketing for a multi-million dollar luxury company. She worked first hand with media buyers, wrote and designed marketing campaigns and monthly newsletters. A personal touch she added to the newsletters involved profiling an employee each month, giving it a more personal appeal.
In the beginning of 2008, The Rancho Santa Fe News launched her column,”Machel’s Ranch.” Writing primarily on the Rancho Santa Fe scene, her column began to draw attention immediately to local residents. Her column also has a ‘down-to-earth appeal’ that is uplifting to readers, while being real with her readers, too.
2008 “Machel’s Ranch,” gains notoriety in town, when her feature on “Renters in the Ranch,” fuels a heated debate in Whispering Palms.
2009 to Current-Machel begins writing for FINE Magazine as a featured monthly writer. FINE is a luxury magazine distributed through-out Southern California. She writes featured articles on fashion, travel, businesses, charities and highlighting communities. Her “Q. and A. Interviews” have become a popular staple for the magazine during the last two years; profiling plastic surgeons, jewelry, to interior design companies.
Machel has also been featured in Dream Magazine’s Newspaper Publication-The Villager, Patch.com as reporter and photographer. KASANOVA Lifestyles Magazine has also featured one of her articles on dating, “Single in The City.”
“Machel’s Ranch,” has been an integral part of the Rancho Santa Fe for almost four years. The newspaper just won several awards in 2011. Jim Kydd is the owner and publisher. The Rancho Santa Fe paper is distributed to around 10,000 newspapers in Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks, Rancho Pacifica, Whispering Palms, and Santaluz and has sustained excellent readership and advertising sponsors due to their mass saturation in this affluent community.
Beginning of 2011, In her free time, she is busy helping her husband Robin Shull run Lemon Twist, a family owned business in Rancho Santa Fe. Lemon Twist is a flowershop/fruitstand that was established by Katie Shull over 30 years ago. Recently rebuilt after the Witch Creek Fires, Lemon Twist offers local produce from local farmers, Talavera Pottery, Baked Home Goods, gift baskets, organic citrus, unique gifts. Located at 8175 Del Dios Highway right by The Crosby gated community and The San Dieguito Trails. www.lemontwistfruitstand.com
2011/2012 Machel currently freelances for magazines and newspapers in Southern California.
2012, In the beginning of the year, Machel shared with her readers in her newspaper column, “Machel’s Ranch” that she hit a four year milestone with the Rancho Santa Fe News and thanked her readers for their loyal support and inspirational comments that keeps Machel motivated to keep writing new stories and events in Southern California. http://thecoastnews.com/2012/01/five-women-worth-talking-about-in-rancho-santa-fe/
She is currently working on three book projects in her spare time and continues to freelance as a writer for various magazines and newspapers in Southern California.
Machel can be reached Machel.penn (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Her current featured article for FINE Magazine can be found here for March, 2012: http://www.finehomesandliving.com/March-2012/San-Diegos-Farmers-Markets/.
