Inspiring Conversations with Rowan Harmon of GoLocal Media LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rowan Harmon.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started San Diego Local as a passion project when I was a freshman in high school by leveraging influencer content to shine a light on local creators and the small businesses they loved. I focused on amplifying voices already embedded in the community, working directly with local influencers to highlight restaurants, neighborhoods, and experiences across San Diego. That approach helped the platform grow organically and build trust with both audiences and businesses.

As the account grew to over 100,000 followers, it evolved into a go-to local guide for both locals and visitors. Along the way, I met my cofounder, Cooper Jumamil, while volunteering at Feeding San Diego. We quickly realized we shared the same passion for community, technology, and supporting local businesses. Those conversations turned into ideas, and that’s when we decided to start building the app together.

Through working closely with local businesses, creators, and PR teams, we began to see a larger gap. People were discovering places through social media every day, but there wasn’t a seamless way to turn that inspiration into action. That insight led us to build GoLocal, a San Diego-based app designed to help people discover and book the best local experiences in one place using curated recommendations and creator-driven content.

Today, I’m still a high school student, but I’m focused on turning what began as a social media project into a real platform that supports local businesses, empowers creators, and makes it easier for people to experience the city in a more authentic way. San Diego has been the foundation of everything I’ve built so far, and the goal is to eventually scale this model to other cities while staying rooted in local communities.

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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It’s been close to three years now, and building something in an adult-run industry as a kid comes with its own challenges. Early on, I often felt underestimated or not taken seriously, and there were moments where doors closed simply because of my age.

I spent a lot of time balancing school with building the company, taking meetings during lunch breaks, between classes, and after school. There were days when it felt like I was living in two completely different worlds at once. It was exhausting at times, but I pushed through because I believed in what I was building.

One of the biggest things I’ve realized along the way is that consistency and showing up matters more than being perfect or having everything figured out. Over time, results speak louder than age. The struggles taught me how to communicate better, stay disciplined, and earn trust in rooms where I didn’t always feel like I belonged. Looking back, those challenges shaped not just the business, but how I carry myself as a founder.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
GoLocal is a San Diego–based platform built to help people discover and book the best local experiences in one place. We specialize in curated recommendations for restaurants, activities, and things to do, powered by creator-driven content rather than ads or anonymous reviews. The idea is simple. People already trust influencers and creators to discover where to go. We make that discovery actionable.

What sets GoLocal apart is that we are built around community and authenticity. Instead of pay-to-play listings or sponsored rankings, we work directly with local businesses and creators to highlight experiences people genuinely love. Creators are able to earn from the experiences they share, businesses get meaningful exposure, and users get recommendations that feel human and trustworthy.

Brand wise, I’m most proud that GoLocal grew organically out of the local community. It wasn’t built in a boardroom. It was built through real relationships with small businesses, creators, and locals who care deeply about their city. Everything we do is rooted in supporting local culture rather than replacing it.

What I want readers to know is that GoLocal isn’t just another discovery app. It’s a platform designed to empower local businesses, give creators real ownership and opportunity, and make exploring your city easier and more intentional. San Diego is our foundation, and while we plan to expand, our goal is always to stay community-first and locally driven. golocalexperiences.com

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always curious and creative. I loved storytelling in any form, especially film photography and visual content. I was constantly documenting things around me, experimenting with cameras, editing, and finding ways to tell stories visually. That creative side naturally shaped how I see the world and how I approach building brands.

At the same time, I was drawn to entrepreneurship from a young age. I loved the idea of building something from nothing and seeing ideas turn into real outcomes. I was persistent, sometimes to a fault, and once I became interested in something, I was all in. If something didn’t work the first time, I kept iterating until it did.

Looking back, that mix of creativity and persistence defined me early on. It’s the same mindset I carry today, whether I’m working on GoLocal, collaborating with creators, or figuring things out as a young founder navigating a space that wasn’t necessarily built for someone my age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://golocalexperiences.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/san.diego.local/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-harmon-68366733a/