In Good Company with Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

We believe the best parts of business happen in Good Company. Each week, we dive into the stories of successful entrepreneurs, business owners and marketing colleagues who have built their business the right way - with integrity, passion and a commitment to genuine connections. Let's change the world! 🎉

  1. Jun 3

    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

    49 min

  2. May 13

    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

    43 min

  3. May 12

    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

    38 min

  4. Apr 29

    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

    41 min

  5. Apr 22

    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

    45 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    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

    50 min

  7. 12/10/2025

    052: The Truth About Scaling a Business w/ Lindsay Connelly

    Join us as we sit down with Lindsay Connelly, founder of Linden Digital Marketing, to talk about what it really takes to build a business from the ground up while raising a family, managing a team, and serving 80+ clients at a time. We dig into how she turned a winding career path—film, finance, marketing—into a competitive advantage and why Rochester has become the perfect home base to scale something meaningful. They unpack the leap from solopreneur to employer, the pressure of that first hire, how to maintain trust and culture with a fully remote team, and the systems that keep her agency running without burning everyone out. Lindsay also breaks down the biggest misconceptions business owners have about marketing, what an agency can and can’t fix, and the boundaries that keep both clients and creatives thriving. If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, or someone who feels on the edge of starting your own thing, this episode is packed with proof that you don’t need a perfect plan, you just need the courage to bet on yourself. 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

    41 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    051: Influencing with Integrity w/ Hailey Ra

    Join us as we sit down with Hailey Ra, whose journey from a family-run martial arts school in Rochester to building an authentic online presence and a new life in New York City is a powerful story of identity, courage, and choosing yourself even when it feels terrifying. We talk about what it’s really like to grow up in an entrepreneurial household, how her sibling dynamic unexpectedly launched her social media rise, and why showing up online like you’re “Facetiming a friend” is the new currency of trust. We dive into the quiet battles behind her success—the guilt of leaving home, the imposter syndrome that follows every brand deal, and the uncomfortable work of figuring out who you are when you’re no longer defined by a family unit. Hailey opens up about the season she feared most, the surprising peace she found on the other side, and the freedom that comes from advocating for yourself for the very first time. If you’re standing at a crossroads, feeling torn between loyalty and growth, or trying to find your identity beyond what you’ve always done—this episode is a reminder that stepping into your calling may be scary, but staying small is scarier. 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

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

We believe the best parts of business happen in Good Company. Each week, we dive into the stories of successful entrepreneurs, business owners and marketing colleagues who have built their business the right way - with integrity, passion and a commitment to genuine connections. Let's change the world! 🎉

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