We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Kaminsky. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I knew from an early age that I wasn’t cut out for a 9 – 5 office job. I’ve only worked as a baker and cook part time in various restaurants while getting started, which was ultimately holding me back from finding success in my own business. After sweating in the kitchen all day, I’d be too exhausted to do much other than watch movies, let alone feel creative when I got home. It was soul-crushing work, repeating the same menial tasks again and again, watching the clock until I could walk away. I didn’t have a social life and I wasn’t happy. While I wanted to have a simple schedule that followed a standard well-worn path, nothing made sense for my skills. It was impossible to get what I wanted without forging that path myself. Leaving the relative security of that baseline paycheck was a big risk, and one that didn’t pay off for a while.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My job description changes day by day, which is a large part of what makes my work so much fun. I like to say that I do a little bit of everything, as long as it’s related to food. It all started with my blog which began life as a place to showcase my crafts; knitting, sewing, crochet, and more. I used those pieces as the catalyst to tell stores, since I made a lot of stuffed animals in particular, which allowed me to hone my voice as a writer. Eventually, I became more interested in food, as I explored more vegan options in an age where there weren’t easy alternatives at the store. Baked goods were especially rare, so I got started with desserts, giving rise to my first cookbook, My Sweet Vegan. All those photos were shot on my flimsy little point-and-shoot camera too. I didn’t realize at the time that this was the winning combination that would define my career. I was 18 at the time and haven’t stopped pursing my passions since then.

Now I work with clients across the full spectrum, which includes ghost writing for other blogs and publications, photography and recipe development for manufacturers and brands, promotion across my personal channels for PR, and everything in between. Photography will always be my first love, which is why one of my greatest accomplishments was seeing my photos used as a van wrap for a delivery service. There’s nothing like seeing your work go driving down the street past you! Of course, having nine of my own cookbooks out in stores is pretty cool too.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

It’s easy for me to stay in touch with clients, because I only work with brands that I personally love and support. That means there’s a good chance I was already following them on Instagram or had a relationship with them as a consumer. I keep up with what they’re doing and sharing, just as I’d want others to do for me, and let them know that I’m still out there as a fan. Even something as small as “liking” a photo goes a long way for many, especially smaller startups that value every interaction. It’s less about business and more about fostering personal relationships, because nothing significant is possible without that trust and honesty.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Knowing that I’ve made a real impact, no matter how small, is the reason why I keep going. Getting comments on my blog posts lets me know that people are still reading, which gives me a reason to keep writing. Nothing makes me happier than when I see others making and enjoying my recipes though. It’s a gift, because they’ve essentially invited me into their homes, given me their attention and time, and too my suggestions to heart. The fact that I could have an even greater impact into introducing others to veganism or provided that last push to make the commitment is so big, I can’t truly wrap my mind around it.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.bittersweetblog.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bittersweet__
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-kaminsky-64117a72/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BitterSweet__

Image Credits
Hannah Kaminsky