Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deje’a Jasmeen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Deje’a , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, trying my hand at everything from selling eyelashes to shoes, and even accessories. I was constantly exploring new paths but never felt truly fulfilled. Alongside all my ventures, I was navigating personal challenges, and many people would ask me how I managed to stay strong. That question inspired me to create a platform where others could learn from the resilience of entrepreneurs. That’s how The Dejea Talk Show was born.
On the show, I would interview business owners and shakers about how they overcame their own trials and tribulations. While the podcast had a great purpose, it felt like just another job. I realized that even though I was helping others, I wasn’t as passionate as I wanted to be.
It wasn’t until I started a segment called Food Friday, where I went to restaurants, told their stories, showcased their menu items, and encouraged people to support them, that I truly found my calling. I fell in love with it. The joy of spotlighting small businesses, the connection with the community, and the shared love for food gave me so much purpose. That’s when I knew I had to rebrand and build something I was passionate about: Foodies With A Cutie.
Growing up, I always loved food, trying new dishes was like an adventure for me. Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives was a huge inspiration. I dreamt of having my own show that celebrated local eateries. It felt like a far-fetched idea as a kid, but as I got older, I realized that if I could dream it, I could do it.
Creating Foodies With A Cutie isn’t just about the food. It’s about giving local businesses a platform and connecting the community. This passion for supporting others and spreading the love for good food fuels everything I do. I truly believe in this vision, and that’s what drives me every day, knowing I can help build a community around something I love.
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?
For those who may not be familiar with me, I’m Deje’a Jasmeen, also known as Cutie, and I’m the CEO of Foodies With A Cutie. My journey into the food content industry came after exploring various entrepreneurial ventures, but it wasn’t until I combined my love for food, helping others and storytelling that I found my true calling.
Foodies With A Cutie is a platform that showcases local and family-owned food & beverage businesses, highlighting their stories, menu offerings, and the role they play within their communities. My goal is to connect people through food while helping local businesses thrive. On my website, people can explore a variety of local establishments and discover new places to enjoy. I take pride in knowing that my work has helped multiply businesses’ sales, traffic, social media and overall brand awareness tremendously—sometimes doubling or even tripling their revenue after my feature. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how a single post or a spotlight on a business can turn a slow day into a record-breaking one.
What sets Foodies With A Cutie apart is the deep sense of community behind everything I do. I’m not just reviewing food; I’m telling the stories of people who pour their hearts into their businesses. I believe in uplifting and empowering the local economy, and I’m proud to play a role in reinforcing what it looks like when a community comes together, everything I do is about building connections.
I also pride myself on being approachable and relatable. My followers know me as someone who’s passionate about supporting others, and that personal touch is what keeps them engaged. I want potential clients and followers to know that when they partner with me, they’re not just getting exposure—they’re becoming part of a movement that champions local businesses and brings people together through food.
If you’re looking for a way to support local eateries or want to find a hidden gem in your area, you can visit “Cutie’s Foodie Finder” on my website to explore a curated list of establishments. And for businesses, I offer services that help elevate their brand, drive traffic, and create meaningful connections with their audience. My brand is about more than just food—it’s about uplifting the community, one plate at a time.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most significant moments in my life that truly tested my resilience was losing my mother at a 17 years old, going into my senior year. That kind of loss could have easily broken me, but I made a conscious decision to not let it define my future in a negative way. I didn’t want to look back years later and realize that I was still stuck in the same place, overwhelmed by pain and hardship. Instead, I focused on where I could possibly be going, knowing that there was so much more to life ahead of me.
For me, resilience means understanding that I am bigger than the trials and tribulations I’ve faced. It’s about realizing that these challenges shouldn’t break me, they should make me stronger, wiser, and more determined in the most positive way possible. No matter how hard life got, I knew I could push through and achieve anything I set my mind to.
Life isn’t meant to come easy, and when I embraced the mindset that resilience was the key to my growth, I noticed a shift. Being the opposite of resilient only brought more stress, chaos, and unnecessary problems into my life. But once I changed my perspective and focused on overcoming instead of dwelling on my hardships, everything else started to fall into place.
This journey has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought, and resilience is at the core of that realization.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely, my creative journey is driven by my desire to see other businesses thrive. I find so much JOY in watching local establishments grow and succeed because of the work I do through Foodies With A Cutie. My mission is to help local businesses find their voice, especially if they haven’t already. I love connecting people to their audience and helping businesses build stronger relationships with their communities. Whether a business is struggling or already thriving, I believe they are worthy of support and recognition, and that’s what I aim to showcase.
At the heart of Foodies With A Cutie is a commitment to uplifting others. Good things can and should happen for every business, and I’m here to help facilitate that through creative marketing, storytelling, and community engagement. My goal is to make sure that these businesses, no matter where they are in their journey, get the visibility and support they need to grow. Ultimately, Foodies With A Cutie is about empowering the community, and I’m dedicated to using my platform to help in any way possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.foodieswithacutie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodieswithacutie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dejeaa.Jasmeen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FoodiesWithACutie
Image Credits
Photographers: Victor Fox & Jairon Robinson