In Good Company with Mike Thomas

059: From Banker to Business Owner w/ Sundi Dillon

In this episode of In Good Company, Mike sits down with Sundi Dillon, owner of Lakeside Kangaroof, to discuss her incredible journey from banking to business ownership. What started with an unconventional interview quickly turned into an opportunity to help grow a small roofing company into a thriving business built on trust, leadership, and exceptional service. Sundi shares the lessons she's learned about scaling a company, building a people-first culture, and why learning to trust others was one of the biggest keys to her success. She also opens up about her leadership philosophy, the importance of authenticity, and what it takes to create a team that truly feels like family. Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, or aspiring business owner, this episode is full of practical insights on growing a business without losing sight of the people who make it possible. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co

058: Turning a Family Challenge Into a Product Innovation w/ Brandon Burris

In this episode of In Good Company, Mike sits down with Brandon Burris, co-founder of RHM Innovations, to discuss how caring for loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to create a product designed to make bathing safer, more dignified, and more comfortable for older adults and their caregivers. Brandon shares the journey from PhD student to entrepreneur, including how he and his co-founders leveraged university resources, pitch competitions, and local manufacturing partners across Rochester and Buffalo to bring their idea to life. Together, they unpack the realities of building a hardware startup, raising capital, navigating pivots, and learning how to balance product development with the constant need to generate awareness and revenue. This conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, caregivers, and anyone pursuing meaningful work. Brandon opens up about the lessons he's learned along the way, why "done is better than perfect," the power of telling authentic stories, and how a strong local ecosystem can help turn an idea into something that truly changes lives. Whether you're building a business or supporting a loved one, this episode is a reminder that some of the most impactful innovations come from the challenges closest to home. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co

057: Businesses Are Overthinking Social Media w/ Sheila Dunne

This week on In Good Company, Mike sits down with Sheila Dunne, founder of Toggle Communications, to talk about entrepreneurship, social media, leadership, and building a business while raising a family. Growing up in Rochester as one of six kids, Sheila was surrounded by entrepreneurship early on and started pursuing business ideas long before adulthood — including co-founding an Instagram account in eighth grade that grew to over 200,000 followers in just six months. The conversation dives into Sheila’s evolution from launching Dunne Goodwin while still in college to restructuring the company into Toggle Communications, where she now focuses on helping B2B brands humanize their marketing through authentic content, website strategy, and storytelling. She shares why businesses should stop waiting for perfection online and why real faces, real voices, and consistency matter more than ever in today’s digital landscape. Mike and Sheila also discuss balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, navigating leadership as a woman in business, and the importance of unplugging when life gets overwhelming. It’s an honest conversation about ambition, creativity, and building something meaningful without losing yourself in the process. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co

056: The Story of Eat Local New York w/ Anthony Tringale

This episode of In Good Company features Anthony Tringale, the creator behind Eat Local New York — a platform dedicated to supporting local restaurants across the state. Anthony’s path didn’t start in content. Raised in Northern Kentucky and later Syracuse, he grew up serving at church and working in his family’s diner before pursuing ministry and eventually working in production roles at a mega-church in Texas. That season sharpened his ability to execute. A skill that would later define his work. After returning to New York, a social media side hustle turned into something bigger when he realized struggling restaurants didn’t just need great food, they needed visibility. That insight became Eat Local New York. Today, Anthony focuses on impact over aesthetics, creating content that drives real results for small businesses. Most of his work is done for free, fueled by a long list of recommended spots and a mission rooted in community. His work spans cities like Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, where he’s seen the power of local support firsthand. Now, Anthony is building what’s next — from launching a hot sauce with Karma Sauce to expanding into a broader media brand called The Sidewalk. His long-term vision is to tell deeper, long-form stories that highlight the culture behind the food. At its core, this episode is about using your platform with purpose and proving that showing up consistently can make a real impact. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co

055: Emily Martin "How to Have The Hard Conversations"

This episode is about building a business around people. Mike sits down with Emily Martin, founder of Ally Partners, an HR consulting firm helping small businesses solve the people problems that can hold them back. Originally from Warsaw, New York, Emily’s path took her through Rochester, Syracuse, Oswego, and eventually Buffalo, a city she connects with deeply. After starting her career in HR and running a consulting department for a local payroll company, Emily realized she could create something more personal and responsive. In 2021, she took the leap and started Ally Partners. In this conversation, she shares what entrepreneurship has taught her, why networking matters, and how many business owners are simply figuring it out as they go. Emily also breaks down her approach to HR as a true partnership, not just a corporate checklist. From navigating New York’s business climate to balancing accountability with compassion, she explains why trust and strong leadership matter.  This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co