We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tom Miner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tom, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

The year was 2012. I was 16, almost 17, and completely immersed in the world of social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – I was on all of them, constantly sharing what I was most passionate about: news, weather, and traffic. I was an aspiring broadcaster and would post daily video updates on current events and regional conditions, just for fun. My goal was simple: keep people informed and sharpen my skills.

What started as a hobby quickly turned into something more. I followed other journalists and connected with broadcasters I admired – one of whom was Jerry Woods, a radio veteran who had just started working at WGTS-FM in Washington, DC. Unbeknownst to me, the station was looking for a part-time traffic reporter to help cover the D.C. region.
One day, Jerry messaged me out of the blue. He’d seen my social media reports and asked if he could recommend me to management. I was stunned – and thrilled. Up until that point, this was just something I loved doing. But this? This was real.

A few weeks later, WGTS offered me a contract. I was hired as a remote traffic reporter – broadcasting live from my makeshift home studio in Charlotte, NC to listeners in the nation’s capital. My first day on air was October 30, 2012 – right as Superstorm Sandy was wreaking havoc across the East Coast. I was reporting live traffic and weather conditions during one of the most impactful storms of the decade. I was completely in my element.

That moment lit a fire in me. It was the first dollar I ever made doing what I loved – and the beginning of a journey that would take me from traffic updates to producing an afternoon show, on-air host, creating digital content, and eventually producing creative projects as senior producer.

Since then, I’ve worked with school districts, nonprofits, radio/TV stations, and political campaigns on everything from strategic communications to media engagement. But it all started with a teenage kid, a microphone, and a passion for broadcasting.

Tom, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi there – I’m Tom Miner, and I’ve been passionate about media and communication since I was a teenager. What started as a kid in Charlotte, North Carolina recording weather and traffic updates from my bedroom eventually turned into a full-blown career in broadcasting, public communications, and consulting.

I got my first break in 2012 at age 16, when a radio station in Washington, D.C. discovered my updates on Facebook and hired me as a remote traffic reporter. That experience sparked everything. Since then, I’ve worked across the media landscape – from radio and nonprofit organizations to school districts and political campaigns – helping people connect more clearly, powerfully, and purposefully.

Today, I run a consulting collaborative that supports radio stations, nonprofits, and small businesses with:

• Strategic messaging and storytelling
• Fundraising and donor engagement
• Voiceover and on-air hosting
• Media relations and outreach
• Social media content and branding

Clients often come to me when they need help telling their story, building stronger relationships with their audience, or bringing clarity to their communication strategy. I help them find their voice, refine their message, and create content that resonates.

What sets me apart is my blend of real-world media experience, creative communication, and strategic thinking. I’m constantly relearning how to speak to an audience – whether it’s a radio listener, a donor, a parent, or a voter – and I love helping people cut through the noise and connect with genuine authenticity.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built along the way. Whether it’s working with partners to launch a successful fundraiser, producing content that inspires action, or helping someone step into their purpose more boldly – that’s the work that energizes me.

If you’re looking for someone who understands both the creative and strategic sides of communication – and who genuinely cares about helping you thrive – I’d love to connect.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My reputation has been built on relationships, plain and simple. I genuinely care about people and want to see others thrive. Whether I’m working with a client, collaborating with a team, or just meeting someone new, I try to lead with curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to help however I can.

I’ve learned that being real with people, showing up consistently, and putting in the work opens more doors than any sales pitch or resume ever could. I’m always listening and always learning – whether it’s a new concept, a different perspective, or a better way to connect. That mindset has not only helped me grow professionally but has allowed me to earn the trust of people across very different industries and roles.

Hard work, humility, and the heart to serve, that’s the foundation of everything I do. And I think that’s what people remember most.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is simple: to empower and inspire others – and help them thrive.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tomminer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verifiedtomminer/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomminerofficial/
• Twitter: @TomMiner704

Image Credits

Tom Miner