Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Theresa Elder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Theresa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I was watching a documentary one day that was talking about a woman who was struggling to pay her bills and she needed a side hustle. She started drawing pictures of dogs at dog parks and would sign her name and phone number on each piece of her artwork offering to walk their dog for extra money. The next day I was talking with my coworker about needing a side hustle, when I said the only talent I have is cooking. My coworker told me how his friend makes money doing a podcast on training dogs, why not do one about cooking? I was still not convinced anyone would be interested in this farm cook style and if podcasting was for me. Obviously it was an idea that stuck in my head so I talked to my friend, Alicia, who is a small business owner and explained this whole situation to her. She immediately got to a whole new level of excitement in her voice and was saying she had goosebumps with such a great idea. Her excitement turned into showing me about Tik Tok, Instagram, and creating a Facebook page. I was on a level of technology I had never experienced before, but one thing about me is I am all hands on deck when I decide to do something. I want to do it and do it right now! Patience is not my best trait, even when it comes to cooking-hot and fast is the only way. As days and time went on Alicia and my sister in law Nikki were a huge part of keeping me going and teaching me how to do this new style of influencing. Here I am now having people comment, like and personally telling me how much they love my videos. Which makes this small town farm girl smile.

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.

I grew up a small town farm girl with a big family and a lot of wonderful home cooked meals. With that being said the girls in the family helped mom do all the cooking and canning for the winter. As I grew up I realized how much better of food, flavor and meals the home grown food makes. So I wanted to help people by teaching them that cooking and canning isn’t hard and anyone can do it. It is time consuming, but you can’t help but keep going when you see the smiles your food puts on peoples faces. So I created Simply Whip It Up and I’m now an influencer helping people enjoy food, conversations and putting a smile on faces. I am most proud of having this wonderful talent that my parents gave me and now I am sharing it with others. I also love hearing the feedback from followers that they are enjoying my videos and people like watching my goofy self. I am not scared of putting in the work if it is helpful in making someone’s day with a smile.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It is very rewarding being able to show off my talent and things I enjoy to do with my followers. I love helping people which is why I am a firefighter on my paid days. On my side hustle which is unpaid at this time, I help others with cooking and showing people you can do this and it will bring joy to you. I love all my family and the joys we get when we all get together and do our whipping it up as one. Now that I am making videos of it they will be memories always cherished and never forgotten which you can’t put a price on that. Showing my family traditions and talents off is the most rewarding part of my influencing.

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

My audience gets built everyday. The more videos I post the more followers I get. I started I asked my followers please tell me what it is I need to do differently when editing and recording. I got their feedback since they are the ones watching it. I need to do what they liked. I have no problem admitting I had no idea what I was doing with the whole social media style of influencing.

So when you are doubting yourself, work harder to be proud of what you do and who you are. When you feel like quitting, tell yourself life is hard and you need to keep pushing on because no one is going to do it for you. If you want it, work for it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: simply_whip_it-up
• Facebook: Simply Whip It Up
• Youtube: @simplywhipitup

Image Credits

Theresa Elder