You never know how life will lead you to your desired destination. Having passions in life and being able to combine them to create a business is serendipity at its finest.
All my life, I wanted to be a graphic designer, but I never imagined becoming a cook. Funny how life throws unexpected curveballs to help us find our path if we just learn how to shut the door into fear’s face.
The pandemic was a difficult time for all of us. It brought uncertainty and raised countless questions, especially one: “What now?” When all stability is lost, it’s easy to feel frozen and stuck. Bear with me; I’m getting somewhere here.
Eventually, I began to find little joys. Cooking became not only a survival skill but also a source of pleasure and soon, I discovered a passion not only for cooking but also for taking pictures of my dishes. This marked the beginning of my journey as a content creator.
First came the recipes, then I started hosting live online cooking classes. Afterwards, I created complete online courses that could be accessed at any time. After a while, brands began sending their products in exchange for content. That was my first approach to user-generated content (UGC), and I didn’t even realize it! In fact, it was my first true experience with social media content creation. Up until then, it was all memes and tweets. But I realized I had discovered a new passion.
During those months, I joined a virtual book club where we explored “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. IT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR ME! I took things seriously, I started building a website, and creating an online course platform. I had to learn WordPress and master technical skills to make it all work. Two years after my first recipe post, I had cultivated an organic community of over 5,000 followers on Instagram, with more than 300 students enrolled in my courses.
Life operates in cycles, beginnings, and endings. The pandemic ended (thank God!), and people grew tired of online meetings. My live classes were no longer profitable, but my graphic design business started to thrive again. Clients were coming back. I had to take action.
To honor my cooking business, I decided to teach one last course. I created a holiday season package consisting of six classes and sold them in advance. I said my goodbyes to my most loyal students and embraced another aspect of my passion: content creation with a purpose.
And so, here I am—a graphic designer who adores designing books and social media—seeking to collaborate with fantastic clients who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. I long to work with individuals who help others improve, feel better, grow, expand, create… build a better world!
Yes, at the risk of sounding like a beauty pageant contestant, I genuinely want my work to be meaningful, even if I’m just the link between the messenger and the recipient. I love what I do, and I encourage you to find that sweet spot where you can utilize your talents, make a living out of them, and have a real impact in the world. Some call it “Ikigai,” I call it happiness.
