Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Kirkpatrick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ben, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

To be honest, I didn’t start with a lot of technical know-how. I had a passion for food, a decent eye for aesthetics, and an Instagram account—that was about it. I self-taught photography techniques and video editing by watching YouTube tutorials and reading endless articles online. My first posts were shaky at best, but I learned from each one, constantly tinkering to get better.

Knowing what I know now, I would’ve approached my learning more systematically. I sort of dove into the deep end without a plan, spending hours on one skill while neglecting another. Having a structured learning path would’ve saved me a lot of time. I’d also recommend finding a mentor or joining a community early on, to learn from others’ experiences and mistakes.

The most essential skills? Well, it’s not just about taking a pretty photo or creating an eye-catching video. Storytelling has been crucial—the ability to evoke the atmosphere of a place, the texture and taste of the food, all through visuals and captions. Oh, and networking can’t be overstated. The relationships I’ve built with restaurant owners and fellow foodies have been invaluable.

The obstacles? Well, one was definitely self-doubt. It’s hard putting yourself out there and facing potential criticism or apathy. Another was time management. Juggling a full-time job and running the page was exhausting. I also had to navigate the complexities of Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm, which could be pretty disheartening when posts didn’t perform as expected.

And here we are today. The Instagram page is flourishing, and it might not be a ‘business’ in the conventional sense, but it has the potential to be. My focus now is expanding BenGrubz into something bigger, perhaps venturing into partnerships, merchandise, or even an app. One step at a time, though.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello everyone, I’m the face and appetite behind BenGrubz, an Instagram page that serves as your virtual guide to all things scrumptious! I’ve always had an insatiable passion for food—discovering it, experiencing it, and sharing it with others. Food is more than sustenance; it’s an experience, a story waiting to be told. That’s why I took to Instagram to create a platform where like-minded foodies can explore the culinary landscape together.

I fell into this world rather organically. I loved visiting new eateries, food trucks, and hidden gems, documenting my experiences along the way. Soon, I realized that I could turn my hobby into a hub for other food enthusiasts. The next thing I knew, I was diving into photography and content creation, teaching myself the ropes through YouTube tutorials, online courses, and lots of practice.

What I offer is a curated journey through diverse culinary landscapes. Whether you’re a local looking for a new brunch spot, or a traveler seeking the tastes of a new city, BenGrubz is your go-to source. I capture not just the aesthetics of a dish but the ambiance, the experience, and the people behind it. What sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity—I’m not just reviewing meals; I’m sharing experiences that resonate with me personally, and I hope they’ll resonate with you, too.

One problem I solve for my followers is the agony of choice. Let’s face it, in a world full of options, making a decision about where to eat or what to try can be overwhelming. BenGrubz aims to simplify that choice by providing hand-picked recommendations that you can trust.

What am I most proud of? The community we’ve built together. It’s not just me posting pictures; it’s all of us engaging, sharing recommendations, and fostering a real, food-loving community.

Going forward, I want to expand BenGrubz beyond just Instagram. Think of YouTube vlogs, a potential foodie app, and even branded merchandise. The possibilities are endless, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

If there’s one thing I’d like you to know about BenGrubz, it’s that this isn’t just about food; it’s about sharing the human experience through something as universally loved as a great meal.

So whether you’re a food enthusiast, a casual browser, or someone looking for dining inspiration, there’s a place for you at the BenGrubz table.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that ‘more is always better.’ When I started my Instagram page, BenGrubz, I believed that the key to growing my following was to post as much content as possible. The rationale was simple: more posts mean more visibility, which would translate to more followers. I was chasing numbers, convinced that quantity would bring quality.

The backstory is rooted in my initial excitement and the general hustle culture that glorifies always doing ‘more.’ Every blog post I read, every influencer I followed, seemed to hammer home the same point—consistency is king. So, I set out on a content blitz, sometimes posting multiple times a day without paying enough attention to the value or context of what I was posting.

Soon enough, I began to notice that not only was my content suffering from this rapid-fire approach, but the engagement was too. I was stretching myself too thin, trying to be everywhere and cover everything. The essence of what made BenGrubz special—the curated, authentic experiences—was being diluted.

It took some soul-searching and honest feedback from my community to make me realize that less can be more. Quality beats quantity. It’s better to post one carefully curated, well-thought-out piece of content a week than to hastily churn out mediocre posts every day.

I unlearned the ‘more is better’ mantra and pivoted to a more sustainable, quality-focused strategy. Since then, I’ve noticed not just a growth in followers but a much more engaged and invested community. It reminded me that what people seek is not just content, but connection and shared experiences.

Unlearning this lesson was pivotal for me, and it’s a mistake I’m glad I made early on. It has shaped the way I approach not just social media, but life in general—quality over quantity, always.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative—whether that’s in the realm of visual arts, writing, music, or even curating a specialized Instagram page like BenGrubz—is the ability to evoke emotion and create a sense of connection. When you create something from scratch, you’re putting a piece of yourself out into the world, making yourself vulnerable. And when that resonates with someone else—when it stirs emotions, sparks thought, or simply brings joy—it creates a unique form of satisfaction that’s hard to find elsewhere.

For creatives who focus on food, for example, the reward often lies in being able to share the sensory and emotional experience of food with others. It’s not just about posting a pretty picture of a dish; it’s about capturing the essence of a meal, the atmosphere of a restaurant, or the joy of a dining experience, and then sharing that with a community of like-minded individuals. When someone comments that they tried a restaurant or dish based on your recommendation and loved it, the sense of fulfillment is unparalleled.

Furthermore, creativity often serves as a conduit for personal growth. The creative process is rife with challenges and obstacles, and navigating these can be incredibly fulfilling. Each piece of content you create serves as a stepping stone in your creative journey, allowing you to refine your skills, clarify your voice, and better understand yourself.

Last but not least, there’s the community you build. Whether it’s a small circle of dedicated followers or a large audience spanning countries and continents, the sense of community that creativity can foster is immensely rewarding. These are people who share your passions, learn from your experiences, and contribute to your journey just as much as you contribute to theirs.

So, for many creatives, it’s not just about the end product; it’s about the process, the community, and the personal journey. The ability to touch lives and grow in the process—that’s the ultimate reward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bengrubz