INSPIRATION PROFILE #8
- Details
- Category: 6 DEGREES
- Published on Thursday, 24 May 2012 15:11
Check out Steph Hua of Lick My Spoon! You can even view her BING commercial here! 
How do you know Carly?
Well, this is a complicated answer. Carly met my husband at a Downtown Harvest show in SF. Carly was invited by my husban's roomate's girlfriend. My husband was the manager of the band. Carly and my husband are both from outside Philly from the same area. Turns out Carly was a childhood friend of my husband's good friend from college, Seth. I moved to SF and met Carly and we became friends through a monthly supper club she created from a random group of people who all knew Seth randomly. See, I told you it was complicated. Strangely, it doesn't seem so odd.
How would you describe what you do?
I write about all things delicous. I cover food events, review restaurants, write recipes, and shoot food photography. My blog is Lick My Spoon.
Did you always know what kind of career you wanted? How did you become independent?
Definitely not. Food writing came about quite unexpectedly. I knew I loved food, and I loved writing, but I never thought this would become my life. I love the freedom and the satisfaction of working on what I want to devote my energy and time to...dictated by no one but myself. Once you get that taste of freedom, you never want to go back.
How did you build your business/brand/work?
I gained exposure by writing for local, well-know publication, kept practicing my craft, writing on my blog regularly, and slowly began to build up my network. Food is such a social thing. I made it a point to get out there and cover food and wine events (I know, it's a tough life), talk to people, use the interweb.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced?
Staying focused. Staying motivated. Keeping momentum. Finding inspiration rather than discouragement when I see the accomplishments of all the crazy talented people out there in my field.
What is the biggest piece of advice you would give someone regarding work?
Make little goals, and make long term goals, and then just take one step at a time and knock them out. Also, when you are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, take a break and do something else...preferably away from the computer.
Why do you do your work? Where does your drive come from?
I do my work because I love telling the story of a great meal, a perfect tomato, a rogue chef. I find it fascinating. I love it that my words and pictures transport people and give them pleasure.
What do you consider your biggest success and how did you acheive it?
I'm proud of how far Lick My Spoon has come since I first started it as a "let's just see what happens" kind of project. I think the success of the blog has come in pushing myself out of my comfort zone, learning, sharing, and building relationships. When I first started LMS, I had just moved from NY to SF, and it was partly a way to keep in touch with friends/family back home and to document my new dining adventures in a wonderful new food town. Little by little, the scope of people my blog was touching grew, but my goals of connecting with people and expanding my experiences has remained constant. I'm convinced though, my biggest success is yet to come. (We agree Steph!)
What is your favorite thing to do when you aren't working?
Brunch or going to the farmer's market, but of course that could be considered work. :)
(The 6 degrees of Inspiration project is a series of interviews of inspirational independent people Carly knows through 6 degrees or less)