We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Goycochea-Marker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jenny, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creative burnout is real, y’all! It’s tough to constantly be coming up with new and creative ways to communicate my love for food to others without feeling like you’re hopping on a trend or playing off something that’s already tired. It’s something I struggle with on a regular basis: how to rise out of a very saturated market and stand out.
I have found that taking a step back from creating is best for keeping that spark alive and to give my brain a rest. When cooking becomes only about creating and work, it’s hard to keep that love alive. When I feel that burden getting heavier, I step back and take a couple of weeks off from creating and just cook for pure enjoyment. It’s what I love to do and it’s how I show care for others.
If you have the means, travel! I always come back from a trip feeling refreshed and ready to get back to it with plenty of ideas buzzing from things I’ve seen and eaten.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hey, I’m Jenny! I’m the recipe developer and food photographer behind So Much Food, a food blog dedicated to sharing exciting and approachable recipes with home cooks.
Before moving to Texas with my husband and our four (not a typo…) dogs, I was a professional chef in San Diego for more than a decade. I spent ten years bringing local, seasonal food to the folks of Southern California. During this time I was published in several magazines and even competed on the popular Food Network show Cutthroat Kitchen three times.
I’ll be honest – -after 10 years of long hours, I was tired and ready to hang up my apron. But, I was determined to find a way to continue to share my passion for food with others and thus, So Much Food was born!
My recipes are constructed from my years of professional experience, packaged in a way that’s easily digestible for the home cook. I love to draw on techniques I’ve learned in professional kitchens and find ways to implement them in a way that is accessible for all. From comfort food, to healthy eats, to recipes highlighting other cultures, there’s something here for everyone.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Adaptability: So much of my life has changed throughout the years and moving from a city where I had a burgeoning career was a really tough time. But, adapting and being able to pivot when life throws you a curveball is essential! Despite a changing environment, I was able to build a successful business still doing what I love, just packaged in a different way. Be willing to think outside the box and go out on a limb. for what you love.
Self-Motivation: My business is one that I have to show up for every day, despite not having a boss or normal business hours. I’ve built my brand and business from the ground up without having anyone there to push me, except for myself. Showing up for yourself, even when it’s unappealing, is a must!
Grace: I am not here for hustle-culture and the idea that it’s sustainable to always be going or that the key to success is always being on. The key to avoiding burnout is REST. I set goals for myself daily and weekly to accomplish and if I have to push something to the right for my mental health, I don’t hesitate to do it. Give yourself grace and a break when it’s needed. Some days that looks like me doing a task or two less than what I had planned, some days I do nothing except read a book and unplug. Figure out what grace and self-care looks like to you and take it when you need to!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I am a person who can be very easily overwhelmed. I always have a ton of ideas floating around and each one always feels urgent, like I need to get it done yesterday. When that happens, I try to make lists (I love checking a task off a list) with reasonable goals and timelines based on my bandwidth and resources. A good idea doesn’t have to happen today, or tomorrow, or this month. Good ideas keep until you’re ready to move forward with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://somuchfoodblog.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennygoycochea/
