About Me


Hi, I’m Joanne Rice writer, gear tester, and proud lifelong curious mind. I started OutlierMag.com in 2025 as a way to cut through the noise of online shopping and give people what I wish I’d had: real opinions, based on real use, not just specs and sales pages.

Before this, I spent over eight years in the indie publishing scene, working as a layout editor and sometimes contributor for a small arts-and-culture magazine based out of Austin, Texas. It was there I first fell in love with storytelling that felt both useful and human.

A Shift in Focus
OutlierMag once had roots in the creative editorial world opinion pieces, design features, conversations with nonconformists. That legacy still shapes how I write. I didn’t just want to start another review blog.

I wanted a space where context matters, where the user behind the product gets just as much attention as the product itself. I carry that mindset into everything I publish here.

Joanne Rice
Joanne Rice

Why I Do This
I currently live in Flagstaff, Arizona, with my rescue dog, Milo, and a garage that’s more workshop than storage space. I test a wide range of products from ergonomic desk chairs to water filters and travel gear all with one question in mind: Does this really make life better? I’ve got a BA in Communication Studies and a not-so-secret love for spreadsheets, which comes in handy when I’m comparing dozens of specs before hitting “publish.”

The Goal of OutlierMag
My aim isn’t just to recommend what’s “top rated.” I want to help readers understand what’s right for them. That means being transparent when something’s flawed, celebrating when a lesser-known brand gets it right, and always anchoring my reviews in practical, lived experience. Whether you’re here for your next kitchen upgrade or trying to figure out if a new smartwatch is worth it, I’m glad you landed here.

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Joanne Rice
Joanne Rice is the voice behind Outlier Mag, blending a background in editorial publishing with a passion for real-world product testing. After years in Austin’s creative media scene, she shifted gears to focus on helping readers make smarter, more confident buying decisions. Now based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Joanne writes from experience not press releases and believes honest reviews should feel like advice from a friend who actually tried it. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her hiking desert trails or tinkering with tools in her garage.

Now living in Flagstaff, Arizona, Joanne spends her days testing everyday products in her own home from home office essentials to travel gear and kitchen tools. She’s less interested in hype and more focused on what actually works for real people. Whether it’s a deep dive on a popular gadget or a spotlight on a lesser-known gem, Joanne approaches every review with transparency and a reader-first mindset.
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