local storiesOctober 16, 2023

Meet Natasha Nguyen

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Nguyen.

Natasha Nguyen

Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since I was little, I’ve always been a foodie and a big eater. I even thought of doing food challenges, but I wanted to be a food blogger and critic more. Not to mention, I have a background in social media, marketing, and event planning. My background taught me how to have fun while creating content. I love finding hidden gems and supporting local businesses, especially mom-and-pop shops. I am also not the typical foodie blogger who knows how to cook and only knows the basics. Even though I don’t cook, I can definitely tell you what is good or not.

I first started blogging when my fiancé, Richie Anothaisintavee, recommended me to start writing reviews on Yelp. Through there, I got connected with a lot of amazing friends and also had a chance to work for the company. My background for social media, marketing, and event planning started out at Yelp. Ironically, I disliked social media when I first started. But my former boss and mentor, Ryan Cox would remind me to develop these skills to help further my career. Oh boy, was he right! I got the opportunity to work for Kind Snacks, Providence Hospital, Metropolis Real Estate, and many other companies.

I’m currently pursuing entrepreneurship by creating my own marketing and creative agency with my business partner Angela Le. She’s helped me further my personal foodie brand Natasha Nguyen through YouTube and other social media platforms. Over time, I learned to edit my own short-form videos and developed my own personal brand. I have worked with many great companies/brands, such as The Habit Burger Grill, Empress Gin 1908, Ziggi’s Coffee, Tastea, HungryRoot, and TikTok to name a few.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey hasn’t always been smooth. I’ve faced challenges in maintaining consistency and establishing a regular work routine. At times, I find myself working odd hours, either neglecting breaks or taking excessively long ones, which affects my motivation. Additionally, I grapple with self-worth as a foodie blogger and content creator, occasionally doubting my abilities and underpricing my services. Another hurdle lies in securing long-term collaborations rather than short-term ones. My ultimate goal is to foster lasting partnerships based on loyalty, strong rapport, and mutually beneficial growth opportunities for my clients and I.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a passion for exploring culinary experiences and sharing them with others. My expertise lies in marketing, social media management, and event planning. Throughout my career, I’ve successfully grown various platforms, including Yelp OC, Yelp IE, and Providence Hospital. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of helping numerous small businesses establish their brands and social media presence.

What I’m most proud of is my journey of entrepreneurship. Launching my own business and personal foodie brand has been an exhilarating yet challenging endeavor. While the path isn’t always paved with consistent financial flow, my determination keeps me moving forward. Transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to building my own company and personal brand was a significant risk that I’m proud to have taken. It’s a testament to my relentlessness to pursuing my passions and achieving my goals.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve been fortunate to have a mentor early on from my previous job who continues to be a great leader and friend, even though we no longer work together. Finding such mentors who are willing to guide you throughout your journey can be challenging, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I would love to find more mentors to help me towards the future. I also would love to be a mentor to someone in the future. I also believe in the successes in others, and I understand that there will be failures too.

My advice for finding a mentor or networking in general is putting yourself out there and be willing to learn. Also, do not be afraid of other people’s opinions and criticism. The biggest thing is be willing to accept the fact that there will be others who will not want you to succeed and do not believe in you. Obviously, those people will not be part of your network. Not everyone will want to help. Find people who want to support watch you grow, and vice versa.

Pricing:

Reels – $800+
Feed Post – $500+
IG Stories – $350+
Carousel (2-3 photos) – $650+

Contact Info:

Image Credits
9 of the photos are taken by Meg Strouse – all food and drink photos – product shots (Empress Gin 1908) – Lavender and Lilac fields The photo that has a fade is by Spencer Sun – I am wearing a green and short flower dress – I am walking in the streets

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