We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcus Avery Christon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcus Avery below.
Marcus Avery, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The concept of Chow & Company emerged from my lifelong love affair with food that began in my family’s kitchen in North Carolina. As a teenager, I could be found constantly experimenting with recipes or glued to the television watching various shows on the Food Network while dreaming of a future in the culinary world. Although my initial career path led me to Washington, DC as a marketing and communications professional, I never lost sight of my culinary dreams. After nearly a year of planning, I launched Chow & Company in October 2021 and transformed my passion into a multi-dimensional platform that celebrates food through various creative channels.
When it came to the brand development phase, I knew I wanted a name that would convey community, which led to Chow & Company. The “Company” aspect was particularly important as it represented the collaborative nature I wanted to build between myself, consumers and entrepreneurs.
The early days of building Chow & Company were guided by my professional marketing skillset. I knew success in the digital space required great content and strategic testing with careful audience analysis. I experimented with different formats and styles, paying close attention to which types of content sparked genuine engagement. My success in digital content creation paved the way for broader opportunities in food media. I began writing for Cuisine Noir Magazine and launched the Chow & Company podcast, which became a platform that helped amplify Black voices in the food and beverage industry.
The key to successfully managing these different elements was developing comprehensive content strategies, establishing industry partnerships, and providing multiple touchpoints for my followers to engage with my content. Routine assessments of my content mix have also allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of what truly matters to my community.
Marcus Avery, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
What sets Chow & Company apart from other food influencer brands is my focus on the intersection of food, culture, and entrepreneurship. My background in marketing and communications has uniquely positioned me to build my brand, generate compelling content, and amplify industry voices. As a culinary creative, I share restaurant recommendations, curated recipes, and highlight stories of emerging food and beverage brands.
Nearly four years since launching, I’m most proud of creating a movement that celebrates the power of food and how it unites people. Looking ahead, I’m excited to further expand Chow & Company by creating more opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to share their stories, launching interactive dining experiences, and building even stronger connections within the culinary industry.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Developing my social media presence has been an intentional journey primarily focused on community building. Rather than chasing trends or viral moments, I’ve made a concerted effort to create content that adds real value for my audience while also staying true to Chow & Company’s mission. The key has been understanding that different audiences consume content differently. Some prefer restaurant recommendations, others appreciate in-depth written pieces, and many enjoy long-form discussions on the podcast, which is available across YouTube, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. To bridge the digital and physical worlds of Chow & Company, I released an exclusive merchandise collection available for purchase on my website. The collection features apparel and accessories that turn virtual bonds into physical expressions of foodie love!
The true impact of my work reveals itself when I see local restaurants and Black-owned food brands flourishing after being featured on my platform. It’s deeply rewarding to watch these entrepreneurs connect with new customers and inspire others in the industry to step forward and share their stories.
For those looking to build a social media presence, I always emphasize creating purposeful content and remaining consistent with publishing. Meaningful growth comes from continued engagement with your community, not just chasing follower counts. When you focus on creating value and building genuine relationships, the right opportunities will naturally follow!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
My multi-platform presence has created a natural pipeline for client acquisition. My writings for Cuisine Noir Magazine have opened doors to brands seeking elevated publicity, while the podcast creates organic opportunities for partnerships with featured guests and their extended networks.
What’s fascinating is how these different channels all work in tandem. Often, a brand will discover my work through social media, connect with my written pieces, listen to the podcast, and reach out because they already understand my values and vision for Chow & Company. The strength of these relationships comes from a kindred spirit in brand building and a shared appreciation for creative storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chowandcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chowandcompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chowandcompany
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chowandcompany
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChowandCompany
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chowandcompany
- Other: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chow-company/id1665479356
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/346c9a7b-50e8-45a7-a044-9bedf5722509/chow-company
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4oeNMXxYec43xdbU03lslp
