Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Jewell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
About four years ago, I was just posting my everyday life in Chicago on Instagram – food I was eating, skyline shots, nightlife, etc. I’ve always been somewhat interested in photography and food, but social influencing was in its relatively early stages and I had absolute no comprehension of this new world. I had a background in tech, though, and I had a pretty good idea of how hashtags worked. Playing with them and seeing follows and likes come in from people I didn’t know felt sort of thrilling – so I kept tweaking and sharing, learning what people engaged with and didn’t engage with. Very quickly, I realized that my food shots did the best, and that there was this whole community around posting your food on the internet. I’ll never forget the first event I got invited to; it was a celebrity chef taste of Magnificent Mile in August of 2014. Surrounded by, “real,” media – photographers with their DSLRs and well-acquainted journalists chatting amongst themselves, I couldn’t help but hope no one asked me, “Which media outlet are you from?” Before long, and after meeting some other, “influencers,” I began the long journey that has become @bestfoodalex. I’ve made some of my best friends through Instagram, I’ve met my lovely girlfriend, and I’ve become absolutely obsessed with the Chicago food scene, acquiring a very deep and dynamic appreciation for our city and the people who keep it fed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the answer to this question isn’t so black and white. It’s easy to say, “No, of course it hasn’t been smooth! It takes some sweat to build something.” And, surely, running a successful online brand is work. There’s a lot that goes into making sure @bestfoodalex is growing and doing its job, and there have been moments where Instagram algorithm changes, an exhausting schedule, or life events have made it feel more like a job than a passion. But at the end of the day, I eat some of the best damn food in the world, meet some of the hardest working and inspiring people, and sometimes even get paid to literally put pictures up for likes. It’s all worth it when I seem DMs from people asking where they should go for their anniversary dinner, or see people tag me in pictures of places they’ve tried because of me. Seeing how marketing has evolved is exciting, and seeing my role in it is even cooler, as well. Relatively speaking, compared to pretty much anything else in life, it’s been a smooth road.
Please tell us about @bestfoodalex.
@bestfoodalex is the Chicago Foodporn Director persona of me, Alex Jewell. I post food that makes your mouth water; that isn’t safe for work. I’m not afraid of cheese, butter, carbs, or sugar. I’m also proud of the fact that I can share one of the best and most accessible culinary scenes – right here in Chicago – with the world beyond and with Chicagoans alike. My online presence was born out of an excitement and awe for my city and for discovering new things; out of the grit, determination, and spark that drives this beautiful cacophony of culture. If anything, I’ve strived to encapsulate the drippy, gooey, and saucy parts of a place where we truly have the best of everything, and do it with some wit and creativity. While I dabble in a lot of things professionally – technology/development, cryptocurrency, and even writing Tinder bios and offering online dating consultation, to name a few – food is something we all have in common, and it brings us together in very complex and interesting ways. In that regard, @bestfoodalex is one of the most fulfilling and enlightening facets of my work, and one that certainly gifts valuable lessons to everything else I do. I’m inspired by what drives people and how they work – the factors which go into human conversation and decision making for any given context. If I had to pinpoint the big picture differentiator about my company, it’s this overarching focus on human nature and motivation. Influencing is an organic byproduct of my passions, and I think that shows in the quality of what I put out and its effectiveness in connecting with my audience.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Trick question! In hindsight, we can always find those things we didn’t do perfectly and more clearly see how we should have done them instead. But those tweaks and bends along the way are actually crucial ingredients to future success – if we started out at perfection, we’d have nothing to work toward and no sense of appreciation for where we’ve come and where we still yet need to go. If I had to specify things I would have done differently, maybe I would’ve take better pictures with better lighting earlier, or changed my handle to @bestfoodalex sooner. Maybe I would’ve started a blog or YouTube channel to go along with my brand and give it more credibility, then I could’ve tried out for Next Food Network Star and started a show called, “Best Burgers Alex,” or something. I think the biggest piece of advice I can give is to just stay humble and open-minded, and never take easy ways out to build your accounts. Over time, with the right ethic and attention to detail, you’ll look back and realize you’ve built something or have been a part of something you couldn’t have ever imagined. Don’t do anything differently, just do them the best you can.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bestfoodalex.com
- Email: alex@bestfoodalex.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestfoodalex/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestfoodalex/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bestfoodalex
- Yelp: https://alexjewell.yelp.com
Image Credit:
Skirt PR/Southbank Chicago and Villains.
Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill.
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.
