Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Yi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first started sharing my food-based experiences on social media while I was living in Cleveland in 2014. I knew that I wanted an outlet to showcase my love for food, but didn’t want to inundate my personal feed with solely pictures of burgers and ramen. As a result, CLE_Eats was born! I used this page to document my travels all across the city. It was perfect timing because Cleveland’s food scene was just starting to explode. People started to look to my expertise for recommendations across town – I loved how eager people were to come to me for suggestions.
Despite how much Cleveland was growing as a city, I constantly felt homesick and knew I would return home to Chicago one day. I moved back to the city in the summer of 2016 and never looked back. I slowly transitioned my focus to Chicago-based bars and restaurants. It was absolutely amazing returning home because of the diversity of the cuisine offered here. You can have your pick at quick, affordable restaurants all the way to Michelin-rated gems — there really are no limits in this city.
Today, I work at a digital marketing agency on a large QSR account by day, and focus on all things A Girl About Chicago by night/on the weekends. I love that I have cultivated such an engaged community here, and constantly look forward to sharing out my tips and recommendations to my followers daily. It’s truly a blessing to be able to do what I love and meet so many awesome fellow foodies along the way.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the hardest part has been juggling my full-time job with what once was just a “side gig” (it has certainly evolved into much more than that). At the end of the day, it hasn’t been too difficult to manage given I am truly passionate about sharing my love of food and Chicago with my followers.
I know it’s cheesy, but never lose sight of your goals and remember that success is never handed to you on a silver platter. As long as you are consistent with your work ethic, respectful of others, and committed to your long-term goals, you will continue to notice even the tiniest of gains day by day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with A Girl About Chicago – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I think people are really drawn to the diversity of my posts-ranging from the various neighborhoods, cuisines, or price ranges that are represented in my content. I take pride in the fact that I am constantly exploring the beautiful city of Chicago. I think it’s really a shame when people are so siloed into their neighborhoods that they don’t take advantage of all of the splendor this city has to offer.
I try to include shots from fine dining establishments, as well as lesser-known hole-in-the-wall spots, to show that Chicago is truly a city that has it all from a culinary standpoint. I’m also really proud of the fact that I try to be as responsive as possible whenever people are looking for my feedback. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve established with many of my followers and want to continue to be a reliable source for everyone who has continued to follow and support my brand!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Remember that it’s extremely rare for anyone to land a dream job on the first try. It certainly took years of jumping around various industries for me to find my place within the world of marketing. Don’t be discouraged if your first gig does not work around. I’ve learned some extremely valuable lessons from past nightmare jobs-such as what NOT to look for in a work opportunity. I know it sounds cliche, but every bit of adversity faced in life ultimately makes you a stronger, more resilient person in the end. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family, and remind yourself that everything is going to be okay at the end of the day! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.agirlaboutchicago.com/
- Phone: 847-644-7538
- Email: sarah.yi91@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agirlaboutchicago/
Image Credit:
Sarah Yi (A Girl About Chicago)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
