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

Trazia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

I feel there are so many disagreements when it comes to the culinary world! A lot of the older generations taught us the dos and don’ts and when you go against them, people tend to get really worked up! I believe you have your own creative path and if it works, it works! Just because you don’t do it the way Billy’s grandma does, doesn’t mean you’re wrong!

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

I’ve always been in the food world, I was going to attend Johnson and Wales when I graduated high school but opted out to stay in the service industry! I was in good and beverage for 13 years. Covid hit and my hours got cut much like everyone in the world. Everyone was on “tiktok” and I personally was against downloading it, one of my friends finally talked me into downloading it and I was bored one day so I made a cooking video and it went viral! I made a follow up video and then a few more cooking videos and now I’m teaching 2 million people how to cook! I’ve just published my first cookbook this year, I never would have imagined I’d be where I am today over an app!

I’ve worked very hard to create and develop new recipes over the last 2 years! I also garden and do diys here and there!!

I want to bring the love for cooking back for people, or maybe even influence them to want to start cooking! I also want to show people they don’t need to depend on big box stores for their food! I like to show them how to garden and grow their own food that they can bring to the dinner table!

My goal is to be the big sister you never had, teach you how to cook, garden, build a raised bed from picket fence scraps!

I had a really bumpy road in life and I’ve worked so hard to get where I am today, mentally, emotionally and physically! I honestly didn’t even think I’d ever even get to this part in my life, I want people to know that even on their darkest days, the sun will always shine again.

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

Honestly, the biggest advice I can give to anyone wanting to get started on social media!

1) BE AUTHENTIC! If you’re anyone but yourself you will get exhausted and burnt out pretending to put on a show! Be YOU! Don’t try to be others, I know we are easily influenced by others but standing out and being yourself will get you so much further.

2) post whatever you want! It’s always good to have a niche but people will love anything that you post!

3) be consistent! Even if you don’t post every day, post every other day!

4) quality over quantity! Having good quality content is very important, I’d rather post one good video a month, then 10 meaningless videos a week.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I personally think what has helped me those most is just being authentic! Showing the good and the bad! I know I love seeing people being relatable, you see so much perfect on social media and it’s a breath of fresh air when you come across a creator who relates to you! I never want to put on a front and pretend my life is perfect because that’s the farthest thing from the truth! I struggle with depression and anxiety at times I’m a mess, my house isn’t cleaned, the laundry isn’t done, i burn things and I’ve failed multiple recipes! I’ll never be afraid to show that! We all want someone we can relate to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Traziarae
• Facebook: Trazia Rae
• Twitter: Traziarae
• Youtube: Traziarae
• Other: Tiktok – traziarae

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me.