061: The Business of Local Storytelling w/ Hope Breen

061: The Business of Local Storytelling w/ Hope Breen

In this episode, we sit down with Hope Breen, creator of ROC the city with Hope, to talk about how a passion for highlighting Rochester turned into a full-time business built on authenticity, community, and genuine connection. From being rejected by Disney four times to growing an audience of more than 70,000 followers across social media, Hope shares how every detour in her career ultimately led her to exactly where she was meant to be. We dive into the leap from side hustle to full-time entrepreneurship, the realities of life as a content creator, and why organic social media continues to outperform traditional advertising when it's built on trust instead of trends. Hope also shares what brands get wrong about influencer marketing, how she protects her authenticity while working with businesses, the importance of embracing rejection, and why Rochester has become the perfect place to build something meaningful. If you're an entrepreneur, creator, small business owner, or someone wondering if it's time to take a chance on yourself, this episode is packed with practical insight and encouragement to keep showing up - even when the path doesn't go according to plan. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group. Thomas Media Group is a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co [http://www.thomasmediagroup.co].

060: Flipping the Script on Home Services w/ Dave Scribani

In this episode of In Good Company, Mike sits down with Dave Scribanni, owner of Glass Therapy Clarksville, to talk about how he's disrupting the home service industry through smart digital advertising. Dave shares why so many home service businesses struggle to grow: most owners are skilled technicians at their core but were never taught how to market themselves online. Whether you're a tradesperson looking to grow, an entrepreneur curious about digital advertising, or a business owner trying to stand out in your market, this episode is packed with practical insight on building a service business that gets noticed. This podcast is presented by Thomas Media Group, a full-service digital marketing agency located in Rochester, NY. More info here: www.thomasmediagroup.co [http://www.thomasmediagroup.co/]

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