Switching from Corporate Banking to Food Influencer: A Journey I Love

In 2011, I embarked on a career in the world of corporate banking, which lasted until 2019. Despite earning a six-figure salary and dedicating eight years to the industry, I opted to leave because I longed for independence and the freedom to shape my own path.

After departing from the corporate environment in 2019, I ventured into the restaurant acquisition business alongside a newfound partner. Neither of us had prior expertise in this arena, yet we both yearned for self-employment and autonomy. Our strategy centered on acquiring thriving existing eateries and enhancing them. Within roughly 18 months, our venture expanded from one restaurant to a portfolio of three.

The Restaurant Chapter and Meeting My Wife

The restaurant industry serendipitously played a role in bringing my wife and me together. Although our paths initially crossed at church in 2013, it wasn't until 2021 that our connection deepened. At the time, the lease for her family's Korean rice cake shop was nearing its end, prompting her to seek my advice. After our discussion, she suggested buying me lunch as a token of appreciation. It was during that meal I realized our relationship had potential, leading to our first dinner date. We eventually tied the knot in July 2022.

Transitioning Away from Restaurants

Together, my business partner and I achieved financial success through our restaurant ventures. This allowed me to purchase a home and invest further in real estate. However, the hurdles of managing a large team took a toll on us, leading to dissatisfaction despite financial stability.

Consequently, in 2023, we chose to sell all our restaurants with the intention of delving into real estate flipping. However, life took an unexpected turn when my partner's schedule became too tight, leaving me to support myself and my pregnant wife. My attempts to re-join the corporate sector failed due to a lack of interviews after a prolonged absence. This pushed me to explore alternative solutions.

Embracing Social Media as a Source of Income

Faced with financial pressure, I turned to cooking two meals daily in an effort to economize. This approach promised a monthly savings of approximately $200. By preparing meals at home instead of ordering out, we significantly reduced our food expenses.

In early 2024, it dawned on me that sharing my culinary exploits on platforms like YouTube and TikTok could generate extra income. Armed with a phone neck mount, I recorded and shared videos of my simple recipes across various social media channels. Initially, my efforts seemed futile until a sudden wave of viral engagement occurred.

April marked my debut viral success with a TikTok video of me crafting a breakfast burrito for my wife, amassing about 4 million views. This event catapulted my followers from nearly nonexistent to 10,000, leading to the monetization of my account.

The burst of popularity motivated me to persist, which soon extended to Instagram, where my follower count has surpassed one million. The growth trajectory has been remarkably swift since then.

My earnings fluctuate each month, with TikTok and YouTube Shorts generating between $5,000 and $10,000 owing to monetization. Instagram proves to be an ideal platform for securing brand collaborations, albeit not consistently. When successful, these deals fetch between $6,000 and $30,000. The exact annual income from my food influencing efforts remains uncertain since it all commenced this year.

Crafting and Personalizing Recipes

For recipe inspiration, I primarily rely on digital resources, steering clear of traditional cookbooks. I hunt for appealing recipes online, modifying them based on available ingredients or perceived enhancements.

My wife sometimes participates in my videos, offering her reactions to the dishes, and on occasion, I cook alongside my mother. All video content is captured using my iPhone, with the help of a neck mount for a POV shot. My wife occasionally assists with filming as well. Edit and upload duties are solely mine.

Reflecting on my corporate past, the work felt monotonous—merely a means to an end. In stark contrast, food influencing affords me both freedom and creative challenges. Each video I produce remains accessible online indefinitely, leading to a continual ripple effect of engagement over time. I am committed to this path of content creation for the foreseeable future.