Good News York by Growth Mode Content - GNY EP.72 | Feat. Victoria Coit!

Episode Date: July 31, 2025

An Inspiring Conversation with Victoria Coit: Founder of Cuse Culture Media Group and The Pivot Place Podcast In this episode of Good News York, Mike Brindisi hosts the dynamic Victoria Coit, founder of Cuse Culture Media Group and The Pivot Place podcast. Victoria discusses her journey from creating Sote Magazine in 2016 to evolving Cuse Culture into a boutique PR firm that connects professionals with employers and fosters diverse networking events. She shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from a traditional publication to event planning and corporate sponsorship, and highlights the importance of staying in the moment and dealing with past pains for personal growth. Victoria also previews her upcoming event, the Reunion Fest, and delves into her podcast's focus on pivotal life moments. Tune in to hear about her inspiring work and the positive impact she's making in Central New York and beyond. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:26 Introducing Victoria Coy 01:13 The Birth of Cuse Culture Media Group 02:48 From Publication to PR Firm 06:10 The Reunion Fest: A Community Celebration 09:56 The Pivot Place Podcast 16:19 The Power of Being in the Moment 20:07 Daily Life at Cuse Culture Media Group 21:33 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

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All right, welcome to Good News. You're sponsored by Ads on the Go. Get Ads on the Go.com. I am Mike Brindisi. Again, I'm flying solo. Matt, I can't make fun of him today. He actually had an emergency meeting for his other side of the business, growth mode technologies.

So I'm flying solo with a very special guest. I'm very excited. Ladies and gentlemen, She is the founder of the Pivot Place podcast as well as Cuse Culture Media Group, the one and only Victoria Coyt. Victoria, thank you for coming. Thanks for having me.

You are so welcome. Bonus points, as soon as I met you, you had a Yankees hat on. I'm a gigantic Yankees fan, so obviously you're a good person. Perfect. I'm in alignment. That's exactly. I apologize you're stuck with only me today,

but we're going to have some fun because you've done some amazing things and I'll be honest. Matt put me on your radar. Ironically, he's not here, but he said, I would love to get Victoria on the show. She was part of Profound. And I looked you up, and you are doing some amazing things.

I don't even know where to start, but I think let's talk about the Q's Culture Media Group. Tell me when you started, how it came about, and what you guys are doing. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. So welcome. So Q's Culture Media Group, it actually started off as a publication.

Back in about 2016, roughly. We started off as a publication called SOTA Magazine, and that stood for South of the Earth magazine. And it was a magazine highlighting women of color and all of the different amazing things that they do and issues that they do go through as well, specifically in Syracuse, New York, in the surrounding areas.

I ended up, you know, life was lifing. I ended up having a daughter, an amazing daughter, and really thought I was going to sit it down for a while. But anybody knows when you have a passion and a vision, it just keeps knocking at your door. So we pivoted and we actually said, you know, I pivoted and thought maybe doing a magazine for everybody, you know, highlighting everything,

specifically in the communities of color and professionals and creatives. and all of that in Central New York would be the move. And so that's how Q's culture was birthed. That's amazing. And so you're showcasing different people in different industries. And is this a digital publication or was it a print publication? Yeah. So it evolved for about a year.

It was a publication and it quickly evolved to a public relations firm. So events are sort of the thing that I do easily. and it gives me joy. It pumps me up to bring people together. And so when we would have the magazine, we would also have events, networking events at the time. I had just moved back from D.C. and I always love to go to networking events

because you never know who you would run into. And so we started doing networking events. And that rolled into sponsoring, or actually like corporate sponsorship. I started asking questions like, why aren't there any people of color in the C-suite? You know, why does the entry level look so much different than the top? And, you know, a answer I would get a lot of times would be because folks weren't applying or I'm trying to be nice. You don't have to be.

Yes. No, this is good news, right? That's okay. Moral of this story, I said, hey, I have a place where a lot of different, a diverse group of people come. They're professionals. They're educated. And they would love to hear about the opportunities that you have. And so from there, they would sponsor events and, you know, get in the room.

I would share a lot of positions through my network and my mailing list. And folks began to get hired. And that, amongst so many other things, I started doing a lot of public relations from that. And that's how we turned into a boutique PR firm. That's amazing. And so some of your clients, give me a little taste of like, what does your clientele look like? You know, what does it look like? Is it certain industries?

Is it all types of different industries? All types of different industries. It's just different industries that are looking. to connect in a different way. What they're doing is not working at that time, at the time, and they're looking to get their product, service, whatever it is, in front of a different group of people. And so that's where I come in.

I think that outreach and marketing and all these, branding, all these buzzwords, it doesn't have to be also boring and stuffy and corporate. And you don't always have to take the same approach, which is, you know, maybe a billboard or this or that. And I love using events as a mode of communication and building your tribe and things of that nature. That's wonderful. So, I mean, in addition to being a PR firm,

is it fair to say, I mean, you're also connecting employers with employees as well? I was. I definitely was. So how Q's culture looked before COVID to how it looks now is, I wouldn't say totally different, but I would say different. Yeah. It looks different.

I would say also that, yeah, I would just say that it looks different. You were talking about events and these networking events. You mentioned you have a festival coming up. Let's talk about that. What is it? And where is it? When is it? And what are the details?

Yeah, absolutely. So in the same vein as pivoting after COVID, you know, instead of quarterly events or monthly events, I thought it would be better for me to do two to three very large events a year that brought people together. And one of them is the reunion fest. So it started before COVID. That was our first year, actually, 2019, right in front of City Hall when we had our festival. And then when we came back from COVID, I was like, you know what?

I don't want to call it Cues Culture Festival anymore. I want to call it the reunion. And that's what it is. It's the reunion fest. We're going on our fifth year. It was named that because as a child, I have a 10-year-old named Celeste Rose. And when I was around her age, I could just remember my family putting me to work, you know, whether it was the family vacation, whether it was our annual family reunion, which moved around a lot of us from the South. And we were one of the only families in the North.

So every three to five years, we would have it. in Syracuse at the Syracuse Hotel, and I would be part of that organizing team with my grandmother. So putting that together a weekend of events at such a young age, I didn't even realize that it made an impact with me, but what made it impact was having that moment and intentional time to connect with family, to connect with folks that you haven't seen in so long. So I just patterned that after this festival. There are individuals that specifically come to town to come to it that used to grow up, that grew up in Syracuse.

They know they could see their friends and family, their classmates. And then also, you know, we're all so busy. So do we really get to see folks that we grew up with like that? You know, this is the time to do so, to be intentional. I think that is so awesome for many reasons. the obviously being, you know, I think with social media and post-pandemic, we're less social as a society. So I think it's great that you're kind of trying to kickstart that again.

But what I also think is, you know, I noticed years ago, you know, I would get emails all the time, you know, our high school reunion, you know, 10 year, 15 year. And then it kind of died out right around COVID. And someone made a point to me that with the rise of social media, everybody's kind of still in touch. You can see people on social media. You can talk. You can see what everybody's up to. So not as many people are getting together.

So the fact that you're kind of creating a reunion for all is just awesome. And I think it's such a great thing. And where is this happening? That happens in Perseverance Park, which is for our folks that grew up in Syracuse on the corner of Salina. Fayette where the old central bus hub used to be. A lot of people say, I didn't know that was a park and I didn't know how to name. You know, but it's called Perseverance Park. It's in front of the Chase building right in the center of downtown on the corner of

South Salina and West Fayette Street. That's amazing. And what's the dates on that in the time? August 2nd, which is this Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. So this is our first time moving. Actually, we started on a Saturday, but then after we were on Fridays, after work from 5 to 11. Now we're moving it back to a Saturday.

And we'll be there from 3 to 10. That's amazing. Now, in addition to the Q's Culture Media Group, you do have a podcast called The Pivot Place. I do. That is awesome. And a beautiful website, by the way. I went and checked it out.

Thank you. Tell me about how the Pivot Place started. What's it about? When does it air and where? Yeah, so the Pivot Place is another beautiful thing. that came out of COVID, you know, the brand, the pivot place. You know, I was thinking that I wanted to move out of Syracuse at the time. It was such a transitional time for me. And I just like, you know, I'm a very spiritual person. So just in meditation and prayer, like, what do you want me to do?

And I came up with this thing called the pivot place. It's, it wasn't a podcast. It actually was an opportunity to connect entrepreneurship. from Syracuse with entrepreneurs, more so from Central New York with entrepreneurs in Western Africa. So Ghana, Nigeria. And I thought that it would be a good opportunity. You know, remember you had a pen pal back in the day? Heck yeah.

That was exciting. Yeah, it was an opportunity just to cross cultures and to cross-pollinate when it comes to business, you know, whether it be trade or services, whatever the case may be. And that's what I wanted the pivot place to be for folks to pivot their, you know, business and mindset to a whole different continent and likewise from the other continent.

That happened like that. That's still in the cards a lot and being constructed, but I had the logo. I did the whole entire brand identity and all that because I'm just like, that's how my mind works. And, you know, it was placed on my heart to do a podcast. And when I was like, what am I going to name it? And I'm like, you know, I have this logo and all this.

So it's going to be called The Pivot Place. And I want to interview folks that from the state of being of saying, like, no matter what you are and who you are in life, there are these moments in life that are very pivotal. And whether you realize it or not, they change the trajectory of your life. And so in retrospect, what were those moments? You know, what was it? When your parent or somebody significant in your life passed, was it when your birth of your child? Was it when you were fired?

You know, these things that you think are negative. But you look back and say, it was good that that happened. That shifted my understanding, you know, and pulled me back to where I was supposed to be so that I can remember who I was and who I'm supposed to be. It gave me power, actually. And so I just wanted to have those conversations because I know every single human being on this planet has a moment like that, if not a multitude of moments, right?

And so one thing that came to me when I was doing networking events is that I started out doing it for minority millennials. That was my target audience. I know a lot of different people in a lot of different spaces, not all the same age range. And what I've found, the jewel inside of that, the gem, was that perhaps more seasoned entrepreneurs were in the room. Younger ones were like, oh, I've been wanting to get in touch with this person.

I've been emailing this person. But they're so busy that, you know, you don't have time to always connect. And so being able to connect with somebody that you feel like is unattainable. and understanding that they have a story that they were once where you were, and that story, you know, evolves. Like, there is another side, right? There's another side of life. And so that's what the pivot place is about.

It's about the other side. And it's about seeing both sides, you know, simultaneously. So I've just been blessed to speak to some amazing people about what their pivot is. I would love to hear what your pivot, you know, because you look like you're thinking. I'm thinking, I'm just listening to you and thinking about what an amazing concept to come up with a podcast with that reason because you're so right. There's, you know, there's the obvious moments that are pivotal in our lives, right? Like you have kids, I have kids. Like those are life changing.

Those are very obvious to see. But it's funny you mention this because not long ago I kind of was reflecting and I realized personally I went, you know, I was in a cover band in like. the early 2000s and I was playing at some bar and a woman came up to me said you would be great if you guys played in Ithaca, New York and I'd never been there. Long story short, fast forward, not only do we play in Ithaca, New York, I became best friends with the owner of that club, ended up moving out to Ithaca and staying with him till I got on my feet. Fast forward, I've got two kids a wife and an entire life and career that was created and I just think sometimes what if I hadn't played that gig

and I didn't meet that woman would I ever made it to Ithaca I mean it was a tiny moment just a tiny like we got done people were coming up to me she comes up to me we introduce ourselves and it's just amazing

like the butterfly effect of like that one moment changed the trajectory of my life not in that moment but eventually so I think not only is that a fantastic idea for a podcast and and whatever else form it takes

but it's also just an incredible gesture on your part to make people reflect on that and to talk about that and to find gratitude because you said you're spiritual and one thing I've learned through therapy and working on myself is gratitude does so much for somebody and I just what I found too is that between the Q's culture media group and the Pivot Place podcast there's one overall theme and that is you are con you It seems like you are out to help people, connect people, and help people grow. What, where does that come from? And what drives you to, I mean, it's an amazing thing.

And what drives you to do that? Let me answer your first question. Well, it wasn't a question, but it can't. Probably a hundred things at you. Yeah. So I have an amazing mentor that I speak to on a daily basis, right? And one thing he stresses is being in the moment. and it sounds like you and that buyer were in the moment,

but you also, I'll add on to that, like, not rushing, right? Because you can miss something that can shift your life inside the moment. And even, like, this morning, full transparency, I was late. Yeah. I had been late, and I wanted to be like, ah, but because I had other things going on, I said, you know, just slow down. Relax. You know, you and I are having this conversation like we're supposed to, right?

You know? And that's just what it is. So what brings me to this point of my own self-awareness is pain. Pain births purpose, right? It gives clarity and it takes you to where you need to be. A lot of times, I saw this documentary and I'm so irritated that I cannot remember the name of it. Because it was a random, here we go talk about the moment again, a random DVD that somebody gave me showing my age.

A long time ago, just a documentary about Syracuse, right? Okay. And under the 81 bridge, they asked like a homeless man just holding a sign. They asked him, what is your biggest regret? And you would think that it would be all types of different things. And he was just like, deal with your shit, right? I look like, yeah. Yeah, hell yeah.

Yeah, deal with it. Take control. You know, deal with it because we see so many folks that are stuck in the past because they never dealt with whatever that thing was, right? And so it could be like somebody still saying, well, it was because of my mother and my father, whatever. They're just back there. They just cannot be present. They cannot move forward. The anger and everything inside of them screams 1989.

You know, from their appearance to their approach to everything, it's just like fixated on something that they never dealt with fully. That is so well said. So many people I've met and so many people I know are stuck. And when I first started going to therapy, the one thing I figured out the overall arching theme of my pain and my struggle was I was regretting things in the past and constantly worrying about things in the future.

Shout out to your therapist. Yeah, well, God. Thank God for my therapist. I wore the wrong shirt today. I have a shirt that says, I've got God and a therapist. God bless you. That is awesome.

Because we think we only need one sometimes. Prayer without works is dead. Absolutely. And, you know, I'm a big advocate for mental health awareness and because of my own struggles. And, you know, that was eye-opening for me. It was along the same lines where it was like, if you're constantly looking, you know,

regretting the past and worrying about the future, You're not in the moment. And so it is such an important thing for us to be mindful to stay in the moment and be in the moment. Like you said, you being late, an example of me, I'm always late, by the way, so don't worry. One thing I heard before, and it's along those same lines was, and I don't want to get morbid, but it was like if you're ever late, right, or you get stuck in traffic, someone told me, that might be the difference between you, God forbid, getting in a car accident. Like maybe you would have been at the intersection where something happened.

You don't know and maybe it's bullshit too, but the point is it helps you in that moment go, you know what, I don't need to be mad about this. I don't need to be worried about this. There's a reason I'm late and I'm still going to get there and I'm still going to get to this interview. Absolutely. You have such a healthy mindset and before we go, I just, I got to ask. So tell me what, what is it like daily working for your PR firm, Q's culture, means? media group. Tell me a day in the life. What are some of the things that you guys tackle and deal with? I was a great question. I am

coming out of corporate. It's funny that I started the pivot place when I was, you know, ready to do my own pivot. So I, I'm 30 days in right now. You know, I'm 31 days in. But my last day at my official full-time job because I was a hybrid hybrid entrepreneur. was the last day in June. So right now, what it looks like is this festival this weekend, is new contracts, new exciting contracts with some great entities that I've been blessed to sign. It looks like just being in alignment with my purpose and taking it day by day, you know, reasoning in every single step that I take and making sure that it's where I need to be because I'm responsible for myself and I'm responsible for my daughter. And so it looks like

that. Yeah. And being cute. Yes, you are very cute. Oh, thank you. Man, Victoria Coyt, you are amazing. Before we go, obviously give us the plugs, the festival, websites, anything you want to plug, but also anything else you want us to know or to talk about that you want to get out there. Absolutely. So I said that I do a couple large events every year. One is the festival, the Reunion Fest, which is the first weekend of August every year. And also I'm the co-founder of the Central New York Legacy 40 over 40 awards. Oh, yeah.

And that's honoring 40 nominated professionals, change makers, purpose-driven people that live in Central New York and are making an impact. And that is always the first weekend in April. So nominations for that opens up. on November the 1st and they close on December 31st. And outside of that, I just, you know, I would like to tell your audience, follow me on Facebook, you know. Victoria Coy, everywhere, the pivot place on Instagram,

Q's Culture, on Instagram, Facebook. You could also subscribe to our mailing list on QisCulture.com and stay in the know of what we have going on and how can you can, you know. That's perfect. We will make sure that all that info is up in the captions on the screen. Thank you. And I can't thank you enough for coming. And I mean this sincerely.

You are a very impressive person and an impressive woman. And I really respect you and what you do, not only for people of color, but just people in general in central New York and beyond. And keep doing what you're doing. And please come back anytime. Thank you. Victoria Coyt, the Pivot Place, Pod. podcast, Kuse Culture, media group. She does it all.

She connects it all. We love her. Thank you so much. Thank you. And with that, another episode of Good News York. We will be back next week. Matt and I will be here. Lots of guests, lots to talk about.

It is Good News York sponsored by Ads on the Go. Get Ads on the Go.com. Victoria Coit. She's amazing. Check her out. Taxes was feeling so stuck. Sitting in traffic, squeezing into a parking spot, all to squeeze in, getting tax.

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