We were lucky to catch up with Alexander Orozco recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alexander, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
One of the wildest full-circle moments in my career came recently while I was strengthening my faith and building a closer relationship with God. Around that same time, I joined Casa Rojo, my management team, who works with some of the biggest brands and creators in the industry. That’s when Church’s Chicken took notice.
No lie, it felt like it was all part of God’s plan, especially with “Church’s” being their name. Then I found out that their corporate slogan was “FEAST MODE,” the same phrase I had been using in my videos for a while now. Everything just clicked.
Church’s Chicken sponsored a post that went on to generate over 1.6 million views and to top it all off, they gifted me a Church’s jacket, making me part of the Familia. That entire experience reminded me that when you walk by faith, stay authentic and trust the journey, God has a way of putting the right people and opportunities in your path.
Alexander, 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 Alexander Orozco (cuando como no conozco), but most people know me as Thehoodfoodie. I am a food storyteller, community advocate, content creator and proud family man from the San Fernando Valley. For more than a decade, I have been dedicated to showcasing the people, businesses and stories that often get overlooked.
What many people don’t know is that Thehoodfoodie was born during one of the lowest points in my life. I had hit rock bottom and was searching for purpose. Instead of focusing on myself, I began supporting local street vendors and small businesses, helping tell their stories through social media. What started as a simple desire to help others slowly turned into a movement and a platform that has impacted countless entrepreneurs throughout Southern California and beyond.
I am also proud to be recognized as one of the pioneers who helped push street vendors onto Instagram and into the digital spotlight. Long before it became common to feature street vendors on social media, I was out in the streets highlighting their stories, promoting their businesses and encouraging people to support them. At a time when many vendors were overlooked, I saw hardworking families and entrepreneurs who deserved to be seen. Helping bridge that gap between vendors and the community has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.
Today, Thehoodfoodie is much more than a food page. It is a brand built on community, family, authenticity and service. Through my content, I highlight hidden gems, family-owned restaurants, food trucks, street vendors, cultural events, community initiatives and major brand partnerships. I work with businesses of all sizes, from local mom-and-pop shops to nationally recognized brands, helping them connect with real people through genuine storytelling.
What sets me apart from many creators is that I have never viewed my platform as simply a way to gain followers or chase trends. My mission has always been to create opportunities for others. I understand what it feels like to struggle and because of that, I genuinely care about helping people succeed. Whether it’s a street vendor trying to provide for their family or a major organization looking to connect with the community, I believe every story deserves to be told.
Another major difference is that my content is rooted in family. My wife Carolina, my sons Xavier, Julian and even our Yorkie, Gigi girl, are all part of the journey. Together, we created Thehoodfoodie Familia, an extension of the brand that focuses on family adventures, community engagement and autism awareness. As the father of an autistic son, I am passionate about using my platform to promote acceptance, inclusion and understanding.
What I am most proud of is not the views, partnerships, or recognition. I am most proud of the community we have built. I am proud that small businesses trust me with their stories. I am proud that parents of autistic children reach out and tell me they feel seen. I am proud that my children can see firsthand the impact that kindness, hard work and service can have on others.
If there is one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it is that everything I do comes from a place of genuine love for people. Whether I am highlighting a street vendor, partnering with a national brand, hosting a community event, or sharing a meal with my family, my goal remains the same: to bring people together.
At the end of the day, Thehoodfoodie is not just about food. It is about community, culture, family and creating opportunities. It is about showing people that no matter where you come from, your story matters.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe my reputation was built through consistency, authenticity and a genuine commitment to helping people.
For more than a decade, I’ve been showing up for my community, long before the big opportunities, brand partnerships, or recognition came along. I’m proud to have been one of the pioneers who helped push street vendors on Instagram, using my platform to shine a light on hardworking individuals and small businesses that deserved to be seen.
I also think people have connected with me because what they see online is exactly who I am in real life. Whether I’m covering a world-class event, working with a major brand, or visiting a small family-owned business, I approach every opportunity with the same level of respect, gratitude and enthusiasm. I’ve always believed that everyone has a story worth telling.
Another factor is that I’ve never viewed my platform as being just about food. Food has always been the vehicle, but the mission has been about community, culture, family and giving a voice to people who may not otherwise have one. I’ve always tried to use my influence to help others win because success means more when you bring others along with you.
My faith has also played a huge role in shaping who I am and how I operate. It has taught me to stay humble, grateful and focused on serving others. Along the way, I’ve shared not only my victories but also my struggles, which has allowed people to connect with me on a deeper and more meaningful level.
At the end of the day, I believe my reputation comes from being genuine. People know that when Thehoodfoodie supports something, it’s because I truly believe in it. That trust has been built one relationship, one story and one act of service at a time and that’s something I never take for granted.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
One of the most effective strategies for growing Thehoodfoodie has been building genuine relationships before ever asking for anything in return.
From the very beginning, I focused on highlighting street vendors, small businesses, and people in the community who often didn’t have a voice or marketing budget. Instead of chasing the biggest brands, I invested my time in helping others win. Over time, those relationships turned into trust and that trust turned into opportunities, referrals, partnerships and long-term supporters.
Consistency has also been a huge factor. For more than a decade, I’ve continued showing up, creating content, attending events, supporting local businesses and engaging with my audience whether there were 100 views or 1 million views. People know they can count on me because I’ve remained authentic to who I am.
Another key strategy has been treating every opportunity the same. That approach has helped establish credibility and has led to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
Most importantly, I’ve never viewed Thehoodfoodie as just a food page. Food is the vehicle, but the mission has always been about community, culture, family and storytelling. People connect with stories more than they connect with products and by focusing on human connections, I’ve been able to build a loyal audience that trusts my recommendations and supports the businesses I feature.
At the end of the day, my growth has come from serving others first, staying authentic and consistently showing up for my community. Everything else has been a byproduct of that commitment.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoodfoodie?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexander.orozco.73550794?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thehoodfoodie_inc.?si=Ju6RI81JGa0mo56p
- Other: TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@thehoodfoodie_inc?_r=1&_t=ZT-96wd0C2HTri
Image Credits
Family portrait credit:
Monica Orozco