What if your biggest setback was actually the spark that could launch your next big chapter?

On this episode of Navigating No, I sit down with Erin Peterson, former teacher and the multimedia powerhouse behind Trending Northwest. Erin’s journey—from facing a life-changing health scare to building one of the most impactful regional media brands—is a story of finding purpose through reinvention and turning “no” into opportunity.

She proves you don’t need to follow a traditional path to build something meaningful—you just need passion, the right people around you, and the courage to take the first step.

Get ready to be fired up and inspired by how Erin Peterson turned her “why not me?” moment into a movement—only on Navigating No!

00:00 Intro: Solving Problems with Passion

00:47 Meet Aaron Peterson: From Teacher to Media Powerhouse

01:41 Influencing Spokane: The Birth of the Guild

03:20 Challenges in the Classroom and the Guild's Growth

07:17 A Life-Changing Diagnosis

13:37 The Bucket List Trip and Recovery

21:44 Finding Love and Support in Unexpected Places

35:09 Navigating the Pandemic: Pivoting and Podcasting

39:44 The Value of Micro-Influencers

41:27 Paid Influencers and ROI

42:24 The Importance of Authenticity

43:40 Navigating Influencer Marketing Challenges

44:41 Building Genuine Relationships

46:15 Effective Use of Analytics

47:02 The Journey to Success

59:00 The Power of Saying No

01:06:19 Advice for Aspiring Influencers

01:12:44 Trending Northwest and Future Plans

01:19:45 Final Thoughts