In this episode of Off Deadline, host Melissa DiGianfilippo sits down with Cynthia Sassi, founder and publisher of Fabulous Arizona, the digital lifestyle publication spotlighting the people, places and brands shaping Arizona.

Cynthia shares how she built Fabulous Arizona from the ground up, why she went all in on her business without a safety net, and how losing a job days before rent was due became a defining moment. She opens up about expanding into additional Fabulous markets, managing a growing team, balancing editorial integrity with brand partnerships, and staying focused on ROI for clients while protecting trust with readers.

Discussion highlights

• Studying marketing and consumer behavior
• Discovering digital publishing early
• Launching Fabulous Arizona
• Going fully self employed
• Losing a job days before rent was due
• Why pressure fuels growth
• Expanding into additional Fabulous markets
• Managing teams and releasing control
• Editorial integrity vs brand partnerships
• Handling public criticism and improving on camera
• What people misunderstand about digital publishing
• The importance of relationships in business

Cynthia’s episode is an honest look at risk, resilience and building a modern media brand without a safety net.

🎧 Listen now, watch on YouTube, and don’t forget to follow @proofpublicity for more episodes of Off Deadline.

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proof-publicity
🔗 Check out Proof Publicity → https://proofpublicity.com