Start by knowing your local media—whether you’re building a side hustle in Ohio or launching a new venture, strong information sources keep you ahead. Stacia Naquin, a trusted anchor at WSYX (ABC 6/FOX 28) for eight years, has been one such resource for many in Central Ohio.
When a familiar voice like hers moves to a new station, it sparks questions far beyond the newsroom. Why did she leave? What can you—as a leader or founder—learn from her choices about career moves and professional reputation?
In this guide, you’ll get a clear, step-by-step look at why Stacia Naquin left WSYX, how her journey has unfolded, and what practical lessons you can use in your own professional growth.
Transition to Cleveland: Pursuing New Reporting Opportunities
Start by understanding career pivots—even for seasoned professionals. In January 2025, Stacia Naquin made a deliberate shift: she left her anchor chair at WSYX to join the Statehouse press corps as a political reporter at WKYC in Cleveland.
Why does this matter? Think about switching from a well-defined management role into a hands-on operational position in your own business. Anchoring gives you visibility and trust. Reporting, especially in state politics, comes with different challenges, like firsthand issue coverage and complex source management.
Here’s what drove this move:
- Professional Growth: Stacia wanted to deepen her reporting experience, especially around state politics, which affects policy and business climate statewide. Covering the Statehouse is a prime seat for influence and big-picture context.
- Reputation Building: By switching from anchoring to frontline reporting, she positioned herself as an expert on issues, not just a presenter. That’s like moving from pitching to investors to showing you can actually ship the product.
- No Drama: Her move was professional, not due to any scandal or behind-the-scenes issue. For business owners, this models how to make bold changes for growth, not in reaction to crisis.
Consider the career clarity here: define what skills you want to get next, then map the best role—even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
New Role in Cleveland: Covering State Politics at WKYC
When you join a new team or shift goals, set expectations. At WKYC, Stacia took on the responsibility of covering Ohio’s state government from the inside; think of this as reporting where policy meets everyday business regulation.
Here’s what her new position looked like:
- Frontline Reporting: She left the anchor desk to become part of the Capitol press corps, reporting on legislation, budget decisions, and key statewide issues. If you’re running a startup, this is like switching from CEO speeches to product interviews and customer discovery. It’s more direct, detail-oriented, and often more influential in policy spaces.
- Appeal of Political Coverage: State politics can change the ground rules for everyone. By covering the Statehouse, Stacia helped her audience—entrepreneurs, small businesses, and families—understand how upcoming laws might affect taxes, regulations, and opportunities.
- Learning Through Action: This role gave her a new toolkit—source management, investigative skills, and building trust with decision-makers. For founders, it’s similar to expanding from sales to operations, learning the nuts and bolts along the way.
If you’re considering expanding skills or taking on a new vertical, look for roles where you can add value daily while learning on the ground.
Return to Columbus: Coming Home to Local Journalism at WBNS (10TV)
Career paths aren’t always linear—sometimes the best move is to return to your roots, stronger for your time away. By July 2025, Stacia Naquin was ready to bring her experience back to Central Ohio by joining WBNS (10TV) as an anchor.
Why the return? For many entrepreneurs, Central Ohio is home base. It makes sense to come back to a network and audience you know well as you grow your career or business.
Here are the lessons from her comeback:
- Attachment to Community: Stacia made it clear she values her ties to Columbus. Anchoring at WBNS lets her connect directly with viewers and local leaders, drawing on years of trust and name recognition.
- Long-Term Commitment to Local News: She’s shown that local journalism isn’t less important than larger markets or national outlets—in fact, focused local leadership often matters more for consumer trust and actionable information.
- Upgraded Perspective: Her time at the Statehouse adds credibility and a broader view, making her reports more insightful for businesses and policy watchers. For you, this underscores the power of cross-sector experience and bringing fresh insights back to familiar territory.
Before you finalize your next move, weigh not just the new job title or location, but how it builds on your core strengths and home advantage.
Career Progression: No Drama, Just Opportunity-Seeking
Aspiring entrepreneurs sometimes fear change because of rumors, politics, or perceived instability. Stacia Naquin’s story debunks all of that. Her career changes were guided by:
- Professional Motivation: No controversy, no external pressure, no crisis. Just a desire to stretch her skills and pursue new challenges.
- A Clear Reputation: Her sequence of moves has been widely recognized by both peers and viewers as positive and straightforward, focused on growth rather than running from problems.
- Trajectory Lessons: She demonstrates that stepping outside a secure role (like an anchor desk) into a more dynamic but riskier environment can pay off—if you have a clear goal and a roadmap to return home or move upward.
If you’re planning a business pivot or a new venture, take note: growth rarely happens in a straight line. Pro tip: Use every opportunity—both the new and the familiar—to build skills, reputation, and lasting connections.
Action Framework: Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Professionals
Let’s break out the actionable lessons you can use in your own venture:
- Strategic Career Moves: Don’t be afraid to leave a stable position if a new opportunity aligns with future goals. Whether it’s a lateral move or a role with a different day-to-day, ask what you’ll learn and how that shapes your story.
- Transparent Communication: Build your reputation for professionalism by communicating your choices without drama. Stacia’s career wasn’t shaped by rumors—she was clear, positive, and focused on service to her local community.
- Return to Your Strengths: After you’ve built new skills, return to your home base and leverage the credibility you’ve earned. Many top founders do an outward “tour” and then return stronger to the original market they care about.
- Long-Term Local Impact: Local expertise—whether in journalism or business—often has more power long term than outside prestige. Invest in roots and long-lasting relationships in your chosen community.
Ready to map your next three steps? Start by defining your target customer for your next venture or role, then plan how you’ll strengthen both skills and network—both nearby and away.
Tools, Resources, and Next Steps
You’ll also want to surround yourself with up-to-date news, business frameworks, and entrepreneurial examples. Track local media moves—they can hint at trends, market changes, or shifting regulatory climates that businesses need to understand.
For more practical frameworks and interviews with business leaders making bold changes, be sure to check sites like Business Benching. There, you’ll find actionable advice, real-world examples, and next-step guides for building resilience as a founder or professional.
Pro tip: Dedicate time weekly to networking or informational interviews—just as Stacia Naquin did by moving between media outlets. You’ll gain fresh perspectives and a broader view of your industry.
Conclusion: Career Evolution and Commitment to Local Impact
Stacia Naquin’s path from WSYX anchor to Statehouse political reporter—and then back to Columbus at WBNS—isn’t just the story of one journalist. It’s a real-time guide on how to navigate career progression, reputation management, and local impact with confidence.
For every founder, side hustler, or professional exploring new paths, the key lessons are clear: move for positive reasons, stay connected to your core community, and seek out roles that teach you something new while strengthening your expertise.
As you grow in your career or build your small business, model these same steps—clarity, communication, courage to switch tracks, and the wisdom to return home stronger. Every change is a stepping-stone in a well-built professional journey. If you’re ready to take action on your own next move, start with purpose and end with impact.
Read more resources, reach out to your local network, and keep learning—just as Stacia Naquin does with every step in her career. Your next move could be just as meaningful—for yourself and your audience.
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