We recently connected with Ciji Castro and have shared our conversation below.

Ciji, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success requires a relentless determination to overcome obstacles and push through self-doubt. When people say “you can’t” or “you’re not good enough,” you must believe that you can, and you are. When you face uncertainty, you must be willing to learn and grow. You must show up for yourself and others, even when it’s scary, and keep showing up. Believe that every time you show up, you gain new knowledge and tools that will lead you to success. Have confidence in yourself and your business or brand, even when others do not. Put yourself out there, even if you’re not “perfect” yet, and keep going, keep learning, and keep figuring it out. The path to success isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. This mindset has helped me grow my business significantly in under two years, and I know it can help you achieve your dreams too.

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?

As the founder and CEO of Domestic Gourmet, specializing in food and wine, I have been fortunate enough to immerse myself in some of the world’s most renowned Michelin-rated restaurants, meet exceptional chefs, and attend the most prestigious food and wine festivals. I am incredibly proud of my food photography and videos, which have graced the pages of luxury brand hotels and restaurants worldwide.

But it’s not only about creating a name for myself in the industry- I am passionate about bringing families together through cooking. That’s why I founded www.domesticgourmet.com, where I share recipes that cater to gourmand families. I believe cooking is an excellent way to bond with loved ones, so I include notes on how to involve children of all ages in the cooking process on my recipe cards.

My passion doesn’t stop there. I am committed to giving back by serving as an ambassador for the Endometriosis Foundation of America and their ENPOWR project and partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay. I believe we all have a responsibility to use our skills and talents to help pave the way for the next generation.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a business owner wife and a mother of three young children, I’ve learned to embrace the art of pivoting. Every day brings new challenges, but I’m constantly adapting to ensure I can be there for my family and business. Whether it’s juggling summer break, school schedules, or family vacations, I’m always finding ways to make it work. Childcare has been a major obstacle, but it’s also been my biggest motivation to keep pushing forward. I’m grateful that my business allows me to work from home and even bring my children to work with me when necessary. I’ve learned to be flexible, resilient, and determined through it all. I’ve proven to myself that no matter what life throws my way, I have the strength and determination to pivot and keep moving forward.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My social media presence began as a way to share my passion for cooking and urban gardening with family and friends. However, as more people began to take notice of my culinary creations, I realized the potential to turn it into a marketing tool for my business and share my recipes with a broader audience. This led to creating Domestic Gourmet, a luxury lifestyle brand I promote using social media. Building a following on a large platform like social media proved challenging, but I was determined to succeed. I had to learn digital media marketing from scratch through extensive research and learning from digital media marketing experts. I have applied what I learned and grew my following by almost 14,000, and my audience reach by 6 million in just six months. I learned that knowledge truly is power, and it’s been instrumental in the success of my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.domesticgourmet.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domesticgourmet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domesticgourmet
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciji-castro-230523a1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@domesticgourmet