Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Ramirez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Justine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been taking photos of my food and searching for hidden gems since before I had a smart phone. I remember buying disposable cameras from Walgreens and having photo albums of blurry burgers and out of focus fries. I had started a sushi blog about 11 years ago, but I literally had one subscriber – my ex boyfriend. It was clearly too soon to jump into the foodie world. But I never wanted to give up on this passion for sharing food adventures with people I cared about.
Jump to a little over 10 years ago, and my now husband and I went on our first date – your standard trip to Millennium Park, watch tourists and locals skating by the Bean, and then go for some late night eats. That night was the first of many, many food adventures both in the city and suburbs. Our favorite searches are hidden gems. Sure everyone loves a good brunch spot to see and be seen, but give me a diner where every employee can name at least half of the guests any day!
Jump ahead again to about 3 years ago, and I discovered a wonderful network of fellow foodies through Instagram. I started a blog with my long time friend [eatplaychicagola] and changed my IG handle to “ChicagoFoodAffair”. When I was in colllege, I always told myself that Chicago was my first true love. But then I paused my adventures to find (actual) love, have babies, and learn how to “adult” (still an amateur at that though). So, ChicagoFoodAffair represents my still ever-growing love affair with everything Chicago has to offer me (and now my family as well). In the past 2-3 years, I’ve developed strong-IRL-friendships with so many I’ve met through social media, and I’ve had so many food adventures along the way.
Has it been a smooth road?
There is a LOT of competition in the social media and blogging world. It can get overwhelmingly discouraging or intimidating if you are taking it too seriously. And that’s my biggest piece of advice – in the end, go with your passion. Don’t worry about what others think – there is not enough time in the world for you to worry so much. I just love food and meeting people who share that love, so I don’t worry about the nitpicky strategies of growing the biggest account in the shortest amount of time possible. There are influencers out here striving to make the big bucks quickly and they tarnish the idea behind influencers. Don’t be that person.
One of my favorite bloggers-turned-friends once told me: “If you want to build relationships [with small businesses], you can’t build it on the money.” We’re here to help our peers discover something new, something fun, something exciting. Something WE, as foodie, fitness, family or fashion (or whatever your calling) bloggers, love. Don’t forget why you started and what you started.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chicago Food Affair – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Both my blog & Instagram account started off as just local eats. However, I am first and foremost, a mother. I want my daughters to understand the importance of getting out there and discovering new things and trying new foods. I include them in my adventures as often as I can, it may prevent me from going on lots of late-night invites or featuring more adult-oriented, high-end venues, but I love that I can spend time with my family and share this now a mutual passion. And yes, my kids are occasionally my models, flash/light holder or even my actual photographer for shoots!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Let’s face it – women are competitive. That’s both an amazing quality but can also be a setback in this community. Often times, there are women too busy judging others that we forget to support each other. I believe “It’s a man’s world” is starting to become irrelevant, but it has caused women, as professionals and as individuals, to focus on being #1 all. the. time.
Contact Info:
- Website: eatplaychicagola.com
- Email: Chicagofoodaffair@gmail.com
- Instagram: chicagofoodaffair
- Facebook: facebook.com/chicagofoodaffair
- Twitter: ChiFoodAffair
Image Credit:
Zeke Dolezalek
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.
