We were lucky to catch up with Paige Leland recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think, first, that it’s important to acknowledge that one person’s version of success may look different than someone else’s. I had to really sit down and figure out what success meant to me, especially when it came to this food blog. I knew from the beginning that this would really only be a hobby, as I enjoy my career in communications as well as my other hobbies of creative writing, reading, traveling, crafting and spending time with family and friends. In this day and age of social media, they say your follower count is everything. So for awhile, that’s all I cared about. I wanted more followers, so I could work with more brands, so I could get more followers. But as many know all too well, focusing on numbers can lead to burnout, and that’s exactly what happened to me.

What was wild is, when I sat down to really understand why I was feeling burnt out, I realized that follower count–while it can be a good indication that your audience enjoys your content–isn’t what I was passionate about. I had to remind myself that I started the blog because I love taking and editing photos/videos and supporting local businesses. This started as a passion project to showcase the incredible diversity of Houston; I just had to remember that whether I have 100 followers or 1,000, as long as I focus on what mattered, the pressures of social media all fall away.

All of that said, I believe that to be successful, you first must determine what success means to you. Is it showcasing 500 businesses? Is it becoming a resource for your most loyal followers so they have local recommendations for any kind of cuisine or dining style? Is it working with that one brand you’re really passionate about? With a hobby like this, if you’re having fun, building your connections, and supporting others, that’s success in itself. If you’re putting your best foot forward in everything you do, and focusing on what matters to you and your goals, the rest will fall into place if its meant to.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Paige Leland and I’m the creator behind PaigeEatsHouston on Instagram. I share food and drink recipes, restaurant, and travel guides on the platform, with a focus on local businesses and artisans. My home base is the Houston/Katy, TX area, but I travel often and always share recommendations from my travels. I’m also the biggest Taylor Swift fan, so my followers know that they can expect to be kept up-to-date on her latest news and music as well.

My background is in writing, and I think that shines through in my captions. I’m also really passionate about colorful photography, and work diligently to showcase the beautiful colors and diversity of the Houston food scene.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I started PaigeEatsHouston with a mission to spotlight the diversity that Houston has to offer. Houston is one of the most diverse big cities in the United States, and that is reflected in our cuisine. I wanted to use my writing and photography skills to highlight the wonderful local businesses that represent our melting pot of different cultures. From Afghan food to Vietnamese, and everything in between, my driving mission is to share the wide range of cultures and foods available in our own backyard with the people of Houston.

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

When it comes to building and engaging with an audience on social media, the most important thing is authenticity. While it can be easy to get caught in the social media trap of wanting to please everyone, being yourself and staying true to who you are is what will help you grow. When you’re authentic and grow your audience organically, not only do you have a more engaged following, you also can see your content being used the way you intended it to.

My advice for those just starting out on social media is to be yourself and to find friends within your niche. I’ve made lifelong friends through PaigeEatsHouston and for that I’m incredibly grateful. Surrounding yourself with other members of the community can help you reach a wider audience and have more fun in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: Paigeeatshouston.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/paigeeatshouston
• Facebook: Facebook.com/paigeeatshouston
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=YfufOK2MUqtYucSW3gKgjQ&utm_source=ishare

Image Credits
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