Inspiring Conversations with Matt Gomez of BeLocal Sumner County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Gomez.

Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I worked as a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy for 19 years. My family and I moved from California 3 years ago to Gallatin, Tennessee looking for a better area and opportunity to raise our five kids. We have long time friends who have multiple publications in Chicago, Illinois. When they heard that I was looking for a career change, they talked to me about the success they had as publishers. Although being a publisher does not provide the same excitement as law enforcement, it definitely does give more flexibility and income opportunities that I never would have had prior.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It took about 8 months to get BeLocal Sumner County off the ground and to print our first publication in December of 2023. It definitely was not a smooth road as I had zero experience in sales. But I am willing to learn new things, and knowing I had to succeed in order to provide for my family, failing was not a plan B I could accept. A big shift for me was working completely independent of anyone else. Being used to working on a team and collaborating with others, to now being solo was difficult. You don’t have anyone to bounce things off of right next to you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the publisher of BeLocal Sumner County which is a magazine that gets mailed out to a new group of new homeowners each month. BeLocal is a print and digital publication unlike any other because it contains curated content of the best of the area and is written by long time locals. Local residents of Sumner County write our articles to clue new movers in to the best shopping, the best dining, where to take their kids, great day trips, outdoors, and more. Since we reach new people moving in who have no word of mouth recommendations, BeLocal becomes the word of mouth they don’t have. I love the fact that we can help new movers get plugged into the area that much faster. Rather than them taking a year fumbling around trying to figure out what to do, where to go, and what businesses to use – we provide a resource for them that is their go-to source.

Since our audience is not established, this gives our preferred business partners a great opportunity to get in front of our readers in order to be seen first in their industry and stand out so they stay top of mind. Our partners love it because they know it’s much easier to gain a customer from someone who is actually looking for good businesses compared to someone who has been here for years.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Reaching your goals in any area of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://belocalsumner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belocalsumner?igsh=MTRtMGF4Mjczd2xmeA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12K9Wbc1GUk/