Hi Zahida, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been someone who loves to try new foods and drinks. Living in San Diego has shown me that there is so much variety. Coming from an Indian family, our favorite pastime is to eat. My parents have never been known to turn down anything sweet, so of course, that quality has rubbed off on me. My friends and family all know that I have a big sweet tooth and often come to me when they need a suggestion on where to go. In the past, I used to post all my meals for fun or share it with my loved ones, and then one day, my husband jokingly suggested I make a food account. I decided to go for it and make a food account just for fun. I love to take photos and I love to eat, so why not combine my favorite things? I started my own little “Foodstagram” account (around April of 2019) and just posted fun shots of things I ate or drank here and there. I started to get more passionate about it while I went on trips so that I could show some delicious treats from around the world. Along the way, I have befriended some very nice food bloggers who also share the same love for eating!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Luckily, doing something that you enjoy means it’s oftentimes worth any of the struggles or hassles you face. When I first started my account, I was not as active and involved due to having a busy schedule and a full-time job. Due to Covid, I found that I had more free time and started to engage more with my account. In doing so, I also realized I was spending a lot of time on my phone, so I definitely had to make sure I was balancing my time working on my account with time spent with my loved ones. I also have accepted that I am officially “that girl always taking photos of food.” At first, I was pretty self-conscious about it and noticed people watching me. Once I started collaborating, I decided that I had nothing to be embarrassed about since I am actively working with others. I wanted to present my best work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about you’re your work?
I run an Instagram food account called SweetLifeOfZ that showcases all the different things I eat, drink, and enjoy. I initially thought I would stick to only desserts, but later I decided I couldn’t deprive people of seeing all the other tasty foods out there. As I started to talk to more local food bloggers, I became more involved with collaborating with others. In this way, I started working with local restaurants and businesses that wanted to market more and promote their food. I enjoyed being able to talk to some of these local business owners and their journeys as well. We all know the struggles many have had to face due to Covid, but talking to people made me feel upset at what they’re facing. I’ve met some people who need marketing to let others know that they are still open, while others had started up their own restaurant just prior to the Covid madness or even during it. I’ve already been able to provide support by sending some friends and family to these restaurants. So for me, I felt very proud that I turned a fun hobby like this into something that I am able to help out even a handful of people in our area.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a fairly social person and love to befriend people. So I think for my “Foodstagram,” this is something that’s essential. I continue to talk to others and work with them to help in whatever small role I can. And best of all, I’m still the go-to person for my friends and family for any food-related recommendations. Of course, I can’t forget the most important quality to have is to love eating, so I think I have that covered!
Contact Info:
- Email: SweetLifeOfZ@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetlifeofz/
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