When I started Good News, Monaco in October 2020, we were in the midst of the Covid pandemic. We had come out of one lockdown and were about the enter another.
The idea to become part of the Good News movement came to me thanks to Annette Anderson. I had published an article for Forbes Monaco with the headline “Prince Charles gives Prince Albert Covid” (or a variation of that), which was loosely based on the fact that HSH had been in a meeting with HRH, who shortly after tested positive for the virus.
Annette called me out on the clickbait. And I realised that as a journalist I was playing into the media’s collective fearmongering, delivering alarming statistics instead of the human story behind them. I decided to create a non-commercial site that would promote community in Monaco and buying locally to create positive social media.
The idea was simple. The headline would either be a person’s name, or the business name. Nothing salacious or misleading, instead creating a genuine connection with a photo and story.
Rather ironic then that the Good News Monaco site launched on October, 2020, with “Body discovered in Larvotto.” But I swear that was a one off.
Over the past six years, it has been an absolute joy to share stories about Monaco’s budding community – Humans of Monaco, I ❤︎ Monaco, Good News Women and News, stories that go beyond translated government press releases.
I still believe in supporting women. I still believe in community. I still believe in buying local. But the time has come for Good News, Monaco to end, as I now turn my focus to developing Monaco Info in English.
It seemed appropriate to end my volunteer passion project with 30 Days of Good Deeds, Troy Armour’s initiative to spread kindness around the world.
It’s been quite the ride over the last six years, and your support has been invaluable. I invite you to follow me at @nancy.heslin and NancyHeslin.com for more Monaco stories you won’t find elsewhere.
Article first published on June 7, 2026.