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.