If you’ve ever found yourself learning about secret Hudson Valley gems on Instagram, Go Love NY has likely made its way onto your feed.
Go Love NY was founded by original HudCo member Robin Helman, a former graphic designer turned full-time creator. The business began with private guided tours for small groups and businesses and has evolved into an Instagram and Substack destination for locals and weekend explorers alike. It’s one of those HudCo stories we love most—an idea shaped by community, collaboration, and the momentum that comes from being in the mix.
Robin shares how it all started, the viral post that made the growth feel real, and the day trips (and guides) she’s working on next.
When you first began Go Love NY, what need were you hoping to fill?
I was trying to figure out what was next for me after spending most of my career as a graphic designer.
Go Love NY started as a tour company, focused on showing both individuals and corporate groups all the great places to explore in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. I co-founded it with fellow HudCo member Elizabeth Knell, who I met at HudCo.
The business has changed a lot since then. I now run it alone, and while I still do one weekend-long art tour each year, Go Love NY has shifted into full-time content creation on Instagram and Substack. The goal, though, is still the same: sharing hidden gems and all the things I genuinely love doing in the Hudson Valley.
—
How did having a home base at HudCo help turn Go Love NY from an idea into a real business?
HudCo was a real turning point for me. Before Go Love NY, I was freelancing as a graphic designer and working mostly from home. Being at HudCo totally changed how I worked.
I’m an OG HudCo member. I started upstairs in that small one-room office with Christy, Jenny, Jennifer, Doug, and a few others. It was very collaborative, we all knew what each other was working on. Being surrounded by people building their own businesses made a huge difference. That environment really helped shape both me and Go Love NY.
Was there a specific moment that made you realize Go Love NY had momentum?
Yes. I had a post about Untermyer Gardens go viral and it reached over a million views. That was the first time it really clicked that there was a big audience for Hudson Valley content and that people were looking for this kind of inspiration and content.
Did conversations, events, or collaborations at HudCo help shape the experiences and itineraries you now offer?
Absolutely. A lot of ideas came directly from conversations at HudCo, whether it was casual chats in the kitchen, feedback from other members, or collaborations that happened organically. Honestly, every time I come to HudCo, something good comes out of it, usually from someone I wasn’t expecting to meet that day.
HudCo’s programming and events were also a big part of that. Being able to hear what other people were working on, attend talks, and just be in the mix helped push ideas forward instead of letting them live only in my head.
I also taught Instagram classes at HudCo with Lindsey Taylor, which helped me clarify my own approach to content and community. Teaching there really reinforced how much people want practical, real-world advice, not just pretty photos.
How has remaining a HudCo member supported Go Love NY’s evolution?
HudCo has always felt like home, no matter what my membership looked like at the time. I’ve moved between different tiers depending on my schedule and the season, but it’s always been a constant. Even as my work has changed, HudCo has stayed a place I feel very connected to.
—
What exciting projects or collaborations are next for Go Love NY?
Right now I’m spending more time on Substack and building out guides and itineraries that people save and come back to. I’m also continuing to work with more partners like hotels and upstate tourism boards.
—
What advice would you give to HudCo members who are sitting on an idea but haven’t taken the leap yet?
Talk to people. Tell them your idea, even if it’s not fully flushed out. One conversation often leads to another, and at HudCo especially, people really do want to help or collaborate. Keeping it to yourself is usually the biggest roadblock.
—
And we have to ask… what is your go-to Hudson Valley day trip recommendation?
That’s always a hard question, but lately it’s been Germantown. I have a Substack post coming up all about a recent weekend there, so make sure to sign up and also following along on Instagram.
—
Have a HudCo incubator story of your own? We’d love to share it.