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

Ruth Anne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

As a teenager, I always knew I wanted to run my own business someday—I just didn’t know what that business would be. I grew up watching my dad run his own company, and saw firsthand the freedom and flexibility it gave him and our family. From a young age, I knew I valued independence and the ability to create my own path, so working for myself was always the goal.

At the same time, I had always loved being in the kitchen. Baking quickly became more than just a hobby—it was therapeutic for me and a creative outlet. Sharing food with others also became one of my biggest love languages. I loved bringing people together through recipes and meals, and there was something really special about creating something that could nourish and connect people.

During high school, my interest in food deepened when I began dealing with some of my own health issues and allergies. That experience led me to start exploring holistic health and nutrition. I became fascinated with the connection between food and how we feel—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because of those dietary restrictions, I began experimenting in the kitchen, creating healthier and allergy-friendly versions of my favorite foods. This process came very naturally to me, and I loved the challenge of making recipes that were both nourishing and delicious.

I continued experimenting with recipes as a hobby while I was in college. I studied psychology, initially thinking I might start my own counseling practice one day. But after graduating, I realized my passion wasn’t just mental health—it was holistic health: caring for the mind, body, and soul together.

To pursue that passion, I earned my certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). When I began building my coaching business, I turned to social media as a way to connect with potential clients. I started sharing recipes, nutrition tips, and wellness content as a way to educate people while also attracting the type of clients I wanted to work with.

But something unexpected happened as I grew that platform. While I enjoyed working with clients, I realized that what I truly loved most was the creative side of the process—developing recipes, filming and editing videos, taking photos, and writing about wellness and food.

Over time, my content began performing well on social media. I started receiving opportunities to collaborate with brands, create sponsored content, and develop recipes for companies. At that point, I realized there was a real opportunity to turn content creation into a sustainable business. Instead of focusing primarily on coaching calls, I pivoted toward blogging and creating digital content—recipes, photography, videos, and brand collaborations.

This direction made perfect sense for me. It combined everything I loved: creativity, food, education, and entrepreneurship. It also gave me the freedom and flexibility I had always envisioned for my career. As a food blogger and content creator, I could work from anywhere, set my own schedule, and build something entirely my own.

Over time, I found my niche as a recipe creator specializing in gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free recipes. I noticed that while many recipe creators focused on one or two of those categories, very few were consistently creating recipes that checked all three boxes. Because I had personally lived with those dietary restrictions, I understood firsthand how challenging it could be to find recipes that fit those needs, and I wanted to help create solutions for others facing the same struggle.

Today, my platforms primarily focus on recipe content, but my vision continues to grow. Because my passion has always been holistic health, I’m excited to begin expanding into more wellness and lifestyle content as well. Sharing recipes will always be at the heart of what I do, but I’m continually dreaming up new ways to help people live healthier, happier lives.

Ruth Anne, 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?

My name is Ruth Anne Bigley, and I’m a recipe creator, food blogger, and content creator focused on making healthy living feel simple, sustainable, and enjoyable. I specialize in creating gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free recipes that allow people with dietary restrictions—or anyone looking to eat more intentionally—to still enjoy their favorite foods without feeling limited. I love empowering people in the kitchen and helping them discover how beautiful and fulfilling it can be to truly nourish themselves—mind, body, and soul.

My work primarily centers around creating recipes and food content for my audience and for brands. I share recipes on my blog and social media platforms, develop recipes for companies, and collaborate with brands through photography, video, and sponsored campaigns. My goal is to create nourishing recipes that look irresistible, feel approachable, and are genuinely enjoyable to make and eat. I’m passionate about breaking down the barriers and misconceptions around healthy living and showing people how simple, sustainable, and enjoyable it can truly be.

One of the biggest problems I currently solve is the challenge many people face when they have multiple dietary restrictions. When I first started eating this way, I realized how difficult it could be to find recipes that checked multiple boxes. Because I had personally experienced that frustration, I wanted to create recipes that made this way of eating feel simpler and more sustainable.

I prioritize recipes that are both nourishing and satisfying, without being overly complicated. Beyond recipes, my work is rooted in the belief that food is just one piece of a bigger picture of wellness. I’m passionate about holistic health and helping people live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. While recipes are currently the core of my content, I’m excited to continue expanding into more wellness and lifestyle content in the future.

What I’m most proud of is building a business around something that genuinely helps people. Hearing from someone who can finally enjoy dessert again, cook for their family despite dietary restrictions, or feel more confident in the kitchen is incredibly meaningful to me. At the heart of my brand is the belief that healthy living should feel joyful, not restrictive. I want people to know that taking care of their health doesn’t mean giving up the foods and things they love—it simply means finding new ways to create and enjoy them.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important things I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that working harder and longer always leads to more growth or success. For years, I believed that building my business meant putting in more hours, grinding through tasks, and constantly pushing myself forward. But over time, I realized that approach often left me drained, stuck in the details, and disconnected from the bigger picture of what I was trying to create.

I noticed that when I stepped back—taking days off, scaling back my work, and allowing myself space to look around—I became most creative, energized, and inspired. Pausing gave me clarity, helped me reconnect to my true mission, and revealed opportunities and pivots I could never see while buried in tasks. I began to understand that working smarter—focusing on the work that truly moves the business forward rather than filling every hour—was how I could continue to enjoy my work and make it sustainable long-term.

This lesson has completely changed the way I approach my business. I now prioritize rest and reflection as part of my strategy, knowing that creativity and growth come from balance and self-connection, not constant hustle. Giving myself space to pause allows me to zoom out, remember my vision, and make thoughtful decisions that propel my business forward. “Work smarter, not harder” has become my motto—and it’s made me a more creative entrepreneur, a better strategist, and a happier, healthier person overall.

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

I built my audience on social media by creating content I was truly passionate about, while also ensuring it was valuable and engaging for others. From the start, I paid attention to what resonated with people and continued to create variations of that content in new and creative ways. I also studied other creators—watching what worked, what didn’t, and figuring out how to implement successful strategies in a way that felt authentic to me.

As platforms evolved, I made it a point to stay adaptable—experimenting with new features, learning how different social media apps worked, and adjusting my content to remain relevant. Consistency was key: I treated social media growth like a job rather than a hobby, posting regularly even when I didn’t feel like it. I focused on making my content excellent, investing time and resources in tools and equipment that helped elevate the quality.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is to share what you’re passionate about. Pay attention to what resonates with your audience and create more of that. Study others in your space who are doing well, and adapt successful strategies in a way that feels authentic to you. Stay consistent, focus on quality, and be willing to evolve as platforms and trends change. Growth comes from passion, persistence, and thoughtful experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new things—starting from scratch can feel intimidating, but if you treat every post as an experiment and a chance to learn what works, you’ll never fail.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thebigleybasics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebigleybasics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebigleybasics
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebigleybasics
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/thebigleybasics