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

Mikayla, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My mom is my everything. She is the reason I am here today and the engine behind my success. She always motivates me and encourages me to do the best I can and be the best I can at all times. Since I was a kid, I have always looked up to her and wanted to be just like her. She is a true boss. When I told her I wanted to start doing content she was very excited for me and told me to try it because I don’t know where it could take me. Six years later, she is still my biggest cheerleader and has had many opportunities to join experiences with me to be my plus one. She loves seeing me in my element and I love making her happy.

Mikayla, 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?

Hello readers! My name is Mikayla but I go by Kay. I am a Carolina girl born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina and I always wanted to pursue a career in marketing or media. I went to school for communication and ended up working in Marketing professionally but also, I love tapping into other hobbies that really allow me to express who I am. I started my content journey through food after grieving the lost of my grandmother back in 2020. I love creating experiences through video and music for other people to allow them really be able to settle in the moment. What sets me apart from others, is my ability to always stay determined no matter what the outcome may be. I am also very dedicated, hardworking, and persistent and I love to protect my brand and craft. I am most proud of how far I have came with my content. It has truly been a blessing and honor to work with so many amazing brands, be in rooms that I never thought I would be in, and also be an advocate for our local communities. My mom has been a true supporter through all of my dreams and wild ideas. I appreciate her for keeping me focused and also motivated. I want people to know that I will always be myself when it comes to my content. I love showcasing who I really am and encouraging others to do the same. When we are able to really make time for ourselves and grow in our own ways it is a beautiful thing. I am hoping to continue to inspire others and let them know that anything is possible with God.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creator is a few things for me. The first would be seeing the joy on people’s faces when I share my story or content. There have been many instances where people have noticed me in public and have sent very encouraging and motivating messages on social media. They are happy with what I do knowing that I have positively impacted someone else motivates me to keep going. The second rewarding aspect is all of the connections I am able to make with other creators. I have this sense of community and I have met people all over the world(who some have now become family), who really enjoy being a witness and supporter to my journey. I have been in a lot of different spaces with people which has always been a dream for me. It is also important to remain very humble. The third thing that I love the most about it is influencing others to reach new heights and new beginnings. I love putting people on events, food, etc, but what I love more is being able to set an example for someone else who may be looking to take the leap to try something new with their life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building your audience on social media is not easy at first. But the key to starting off is to be intentional about what you want to post and also how you want to be conveyed. It is important to share what you are doing with your friends and family members so they can be part of your journey but also help get you exposure and get your name out there. I started off posting organic photos originally but then I started tapping into videos and really setting those vibes for my viewers to enjoy but also learn. A big thing starting off is building up your content catalog of what you want to post so that way when that light turns green, you are ready to go. It is great to connect with others or also have a mentor that can help guide you through your journey. Starting off get to know key pillars in your local community and beyond more specifically the area you are in. Research the market, research events and opportunities you can be a part of and also network, network, network. For me a huge piece that’s helped shape my following has been consistency, never take your foot off the gas!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatswithkayyyyy/

Image Credits

Image Credits:

@shotbylindsay
@eatswithkayyyyy

Locations:
– Cirque de Paris
– Catalina Kitchen and Bar
– Roc South Cuisine Atlanta