In Good Company with Mike Thomas

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

054: Joy Through It All: 40 Years of Resilience w/ Chris Thomas

This episode is personal. On his 40th birthday, Mike sits down with his brother, Chris Thomas — someone who has quietly become the backbone of their business and a constant source of perspective, resilience, and joy. Chris was born with Apert syndrome, a rare condition that led to 24 surgeries before the age of 18. But this conversation isn’t about limitations, it’s about the life he built anyway. From growing up between Rochester and Northern Virginia, to the sacrifices their parents made behind the scenes, to carving out his own path through work, sports, and community, Chris shares what it really looks like to keep going when life doesn’t hand you the easy version. While Chris has faced more than most, it’s not his challenges that define him — it’s his spirit, his perspective, and the way he continues to show up for life. 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 [https://www.mikethomasmedia.com/]

053: Never Lose the Spark w/ David Mammano

Join us as we sit down with David Mammano, entrepreneur, national magazine founder, comedian, speaker, mentor, and a guy who refuses to live a predictable life. His story is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. David walks us through his journey from a Rochester childhood to a pre-dental major who hated teeth, to a stand-up comic in Chicago, to founding a magazine that expanded to all 50 states, to reinventing everything during the digital revolution, to rediscovering comedy during COVID and blending humor with business into a new calling. Whether you're in a season of dreaming, doubting, rebuilding, or figuring out your next move, David’s story will give you permission to keep going. 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