We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamika Steen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jamika , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I ever took was launching my food and lifestyle brand, Jay Chef Behavior, while being a full-time parent with no huge formal culinary training or big media connections. I started creating recipe videos from my kitchen, using whatever ingredients I had and turning them into bold, flavorful dishes that felt like home. I had no guarantee it would catch on—but I believed in my creativity and my ability to connect with people through food.

At the time, I had just gone through some major personal setbacks and was trying to rebuild not only my confidence, but my life. I invested what little money and time I had into building my platform, even when I didn’t know how the bills were going to get paid. That risk paid off: I’ve since collaborated with major brands, grown a supportive audience I call my “Jay Baes,” and turned my passion into a real business. Taking that leap gave me the freedom to create on my own terms and inspire others to do the same

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 name is Jamika, and I’m the creator behind Jay Chef Behavior, a growing food and lifestyle brand known for bold, crave-worthy recipes and vibrant, personality driven content that shows a flavorful way to bring “chef behavior” into everyday kitchens. What started as a way to share my love for cooking as a single mom has grown into a community of food lovers I call my “Jay Baes,” who come to my page not just for good food but for the energy, creativity, and joy I bring to it.

I got into this space without a formal culinary background, just a deep passion for food, storytelling, and culture. My content spans everything from easy family meals to brand collaborations, Along with my original recipes. I also highlight restaurants both local gems and travel spots as a way to put people on to good food they might not know about. Whether I’m visiting a metro Detroit neighborhood food truck or flying to a new city to explore their culinary scene, I bring my audience with me to experience it all firsthand.

What sets my brand apart is the way I mix authenticity with elevated flavor. I’m not afraid to be myself on camera, and I think that’s why people connect with me. I’ve built a platform that makes people feel inspired, and hungry for more. My goal is to make food approachable, fun, and full of personality while opening doors for more creators like me in this space.

I never thought that I’d be making content my full-time job. What began as a creative outlet just me, my phone, and my love for cooking became something so much bigger than I ever imagined.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and the way I’ve turned obstacles into opportunities. Whether it’s through a recipe, a review, a foodie trip, or a brand partnership, I want people to know that it’s never too late to bet on yourself and make something delicious out of your journey.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by showing up as myself consistently, creatively, and with purpose. I had to unlearn that I had to do it “Perfect”. be authentic!

For anyone starting out, my advice is this: don’t wait to be perfect. Start with what you have and build from there. Consistency and authenticity will take you further than a perfectly curated feed. Your audience isn’t just watching they’re feeling your energy. Make sure it’s real, and the rest will follow.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I keep in touch with my audience and brand clients by staying real and present. Whether it’s replying to comments, checking DMs, or doing surprise shoutouts for my “Jay Baes,” I make sure people know I see and value them. I also use tools like Instagram Stories, email updates, and community polls to stay connected and let them help shape what comes next.

When it comes to brand clients, I make sure every collaboration feels intentional not just a promotion, but a flavorful experience that aligns with my voice and my audience. I’m big on communication, professionalism, and bringing creativity to every project, which builds trust and makes brands want to work with me again.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jaychefbehavior.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaychefbehavior?igsh=MTVoc2FtZWZ6ZjZ4Zw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16KggRokG1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jaychefbehavior?si=0vXX6PlWTkrEcoRb