We were lucky to catch up with Denise Ibe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Denise , thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
In Asian culture, ‘I love you’ isn’t often spoken; it’s expressed through food. This love language became even more pronounced when my family moved to the US, right before the pandemic. Feeling displaced and even more introverted, I challenged myself to step out of my shell and reconnect with the world. What better way to do this than through food—the powerful force that brings people together?
In November 2020, during a family and friends meet-up, I voiced my desire to start a food blog. Influenced by the digital surge during the pandemic and overwhelmed with food photos, I wanted a space to preserve these memories. Food evokes powerful emotions, and I needed a place to revisit those feelings. After that gathering, I found myself on Instagram, brainstorming usernames until I settled on @rollingwithdeneats, formerly @dlrieats.
What began as a creative outlet to understand myself in a new environment through my love for food, travel, and culture, evolved into the platform it is today. Initially, it was just posts, but as I grew more comfortable, I started creating reels to bring my content to life. Now, I’m expanding my content to include travel, sharing not just the food but the stories and experiences behind each dish.
My page is more than just social media content; it’s my journey of self-discovery and my love language to the world. It’s a work in progress, just like me, constantly evolving as I continue to explore new places and flavors.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Would you believe that despite my desire in November 2020 to start a food blog, I never once thought I’d end up as a digital creator? I always imagined myself as a corporate girl and nothing more. But if the pandemic taught me anything, it’s that life is too short to keep your passions and desires on the backburner, to be revisited later on.
So, one fateful afternoon in my favorite month, November, I began my journey of self-discovery with the help of @rollingwithdeneats. Initially, my goal was to help my favorite food businesses stay afloat. Eventually, brands started taking notice and reached out with gifts, invites, and collaboration deals. This helped me expand my network and tap more into my creative side.
More than just content, my brand is focused on intent. It’s about sharing a piece of my story, hoping that somewhere, someone can relate and learn more about themselves. Besides, we all come from diverse backgrounds, and that’s something to celebrate. What better way to learn more about each other than through food?
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
If there’s anything we Filipinos are known for, it’s resilience and hard work. When my family moved to the US, we didn’t let the struggles of being first-generation immigrants get the best of us. The saying ‘Bloom where you are planted’ became my motivation to do better and be better. Rebuilding from the ground up was a challenge I embraced wholeheartedly.
I faced multiple job interviews and rejections, which took a toll on my self-esteem. But each setback was a stepping stone, leading me to a position where I was finally deemed the best fit. It felt like growing pains all over again, getting to know myself in a new environment.
In my early 20s, I had to get my driver’s license, open a bank account, and apply for IDs—tasks I never thought I’d need to tackle again. It was like a second round of adulting, but I knew it would all make sense eventually.
Every day is still a learning process for me and about myself. But that’s the beauty of life—it’s the not knowing where my life will take me, what I may do at some point, and who I will become. I try to be intentional, but I’ve learned to let go of things I can’t control. I’ve learned that it’s not about where I am, but what I make of myself that matters.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One important lesson I had to unlearn is the belief that success is only achieved through traditional careers like being an engineer, doctor, or nurse. Growing up in the Philippines, this mindset was instilled in me early on, leading me to believe these were the only paths to a successful life. However, I’ve come to realize that success is not a linear path and is highly subjective. How you define success may be different from the way I do, and that’s okay.
My journey as a digital creator has shown me that success can be found in pursuing your passions and making a meaningful impact, regardless of the field. It’s not about the numbers, despite how the algorithm makes us feel; it’s the intent behind your work. Sometimes, it only takes one person to see your message, and that makes all the difference. I remember attending a workshop I had initially created content for, and a participant told me she found out about the event through one of my reels. She felt welcomed and decided to revisit her creativity because of it. That moment struck me—my message was getting across.
Embracing this mindset has allowed me to thrive in my own unique way, and I hope it inspires others to do the same. Besides, we all start somewhere.
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Denise Ibe