We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carl Fiadini a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carl, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The idea of Walk-In Talk Media was born during the late stages of the Covid lockdowns. Many of my friends and colleagues within the food industry were fired or furloughed at that time. I believed that by showcasing cooking skills and sharing stories about our experiences in the business, it would provide some form of therapeutic value. From there, it was a matter of building a food entertainment-based platform. It started with YouTube, then expanded to podcasting and even a magazine that focuses on all things food. Of course I knew nothing about cameras, editing, lighting, audio, etc. So I immersed myself in learning and building a small mobile, production studio. One piece of equipment at a time.

Carl, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Carl Fiadini, the creator of Walk-In Talk Media. I have had an amazing journey in the world of food and media. It all began with my family’s strong connection to food and the food business. With my great grandfather as a chef, followed by my grandfather and father owning their own restaurants, I grew up surrounded by food and the challenging environment of the restaurant industry.

To gain expertise, I spent ten years working in various roles within restaurants, learning all the details of the business. Eventually, I made a transition into food distribution where I spent over two decades in the produce and dairy industry. During this period, I supplied high-quality products and services to upscale establishments like hotels, restaurants, and country clubs. I managed sales teams and focused on establishing strong industry connections, which have played a crucial role in the success of Walk-In Talk Media today.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

As the Director of Sales for a prominent food distribution company during the Covid pandemic, I faced the challenging task of keeping my sales team motivated and connected with clients and prospects. It was during this time that I recognized the potential of video content as an effective method. Given the prevailing unease around being in close proximity to others, and with many restaurants limited to takeout or provisions sales, I saw an opportunity to utilize video production as a means to engage with clients and prospects.

I took the initiative to invest in video equipment and dedicated myself to learning everything I could about video production. It quickly became a valuable tool for connecting with our target audience. This realization paved the way for a significant decision – I chose to leave my position and pursue my vision.

Since then, the Walk-In Talk Podcast has soared to become the leading food podcast on the Apple Podcasts Charts. We have expanded our collaborations to include brands, manufacturers, distributors, and even farms! Our two-video series, Restaurant Recipes and The Dirty Dash, have garnered millions of views, and we are gearing up to relaunch The Restaurant Life Magazine, which promises to be a game-changer.

We are truly blessed for the fantastic partnerships we have formed along the way, which have contributed to our success.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe that my commitment to accessibility and transparency played a crucial role in building my reputation within the market. I made it a priority to be readily available to both clients and my company, never shying away from difficult situations or phone calls. By taking proactive steps to address challenges and concerns head-on, I was able to foster trust and confidence among clients and colleagues alike.

Actions speak louder than words, and I made sure to demonstrate my dedication by consistently assisting clients and working in the best interest of the company. This approach helped establish a solid foundation of trust and reliability, which contributed to building a positive reputation within the food service market.

Additionally, I recognized the importance of active listening. Knowing when to pause and truly listen to the needs and feedback of clients allowed me to better understand their perspectives and tailor my approach accordingly. This practice further enhanced my ability to meet their expectations and build strong relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewalkintalk.com
• Instagram: @walkintalkshow
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-fiadini-wit?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@WalkInTalk

Image Credits
Images by: John Hernandez with Ibis Images Food Photography