We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kay Tam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kay below.
Kay, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from my faith in myself. When I was a kid, I always wanted to do new things. I never hated anyone or got jealous that they got to do something I didn’t get to do. In my mind, I wondered how I could do that too and tried to get that same opportunity. I put the results in my hands. Of course, it’s easier said than done. No matter how hard I try, sometimes, people or circumstances won’t allow it. That never stopped me, however. I recall a time where it became clear to me that even when it seems impossible, there is still a possibility. Will it happen? Can I make it happen? I was in Kyoto, Japan at the time for vacation. A manager for a famous DJ contacted me and wanted to meet the next morning in Tokyo which was about 3 hours away. He wanted to discuss a possibility of doing a collaboration. Do I just hop on a bullet train to Tokyo out of the blue? Of course! I was curious how it would turn out. We met, negotiated and signed a deal to collaborate the next day at a rooftop cafe in the middle of a rainstorm over a cup of tea. It was high stakes, and anything could have happened such as a wasted trip to Tokyo. However, I had faith in myself, or optimism in general that good things can happen if you put yourself in position and have faith.
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?
As an influencer, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to dive headfirst into the vibrant tapestry of Arizona’s local culture, documenting everything from eating delicious food to fancy events and extremely fun festivals. What makes my journey truly exciting is the timing of it all. I started in 2020 after being laid off from an office job as a worker that did data entry. I hated that job! To cut costs, they let me go at the beginning of the year. Instead of spending my time finding another job, I decided that Instagram and TikTok were more fun than trying to connect with business executives on LinkedIn. I kicked off my personal brand as a foodie just as the pandemic hit, allowing me to navigate the restaurant scene with newfound freedom while others stayed in. This unique situation not only fueled my passion but also paved the way for me to expand at an accelerated pace. I was one of a few people making local content at the time, so I got a lot of attention on social media. I have even given my followers a name… VIPs or Very Important Person, which is a term that the hospitality industry uses a lot. I feel it would be amazing if everyone felt like a VIP in their lives. So, I try to give them information and inspiration to achieve that through finding great food and entertaining things to do.
But it’s not just about capturing food for me; it’s about creating a lifestyle. That’s why I’ve set my sights on becoming a household name, a go-to source for both locals and visitors seeking inspiration on what to eat, drink, see and do in Arizona. I’m working on my new YouTube channel to bring content in a longer, more in-depth format, and I’m also launching a fun VIP t-shirt line for my followers. Speaking of ventures, I have my membership club, where like-minded individuals come together to explore Arizona’s culinary scene. Each month, my members and I go to a restaurant or two and sample their menus. Sometimes, we go to concerts or events together. For a monthly fee, that’s a lot of food and value. The membership definitely offers a very unique experience.
I feel very special having the opportunity to define a personal brand and business, pursue what piques my interest and use my skills to accomplish my goals.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My journey to success has been shaped by three fundamental principles that I hold dear. First, I’ve always been deeply attuned to the ever-shifting landscape of social media trends. I believe that success in this realm hinges on being where the action is and building a loyal following accordingly. This mindset led me to become an early adopter of platforms like TikTok when it was still in its infancy, allowing me to amass a significant following. And when Instagram Reels emerged as the next big thing, I seamlessly transitioned my focus to capitalize on its growing popularity. That’s why it’s highly important to use the social media platforms so you know what is happening.
Second, I’ve come to understand that in the digital world, content truly reigns supreme. The relentless grind of content creation is the linchpin of success, and I’ve never shied away from putting in the work. Even during the toughest times, I’ve maintained an unwavering commitment to producing high-quality content consistently, often sacrificing sleep and personal time in the process. For months, I didn’t hang with any friends, nor did I get more than 6 hours of sleep. While the journey has been challenging, I firmly believe that the price of success is paid in sweat and determination. My best advice on this is use automation and apps that cut down a lot of manual labor.
Perhaps the most crucial lesson I’ve learned along the way is the importance of ignoring the noise and staying focused on my goals. Haters and naysayers are inevitable, but I refuse to let their opposition derail me. Instead, I’ve surrounded myself with a supportive network of individuals who share my vision and inspire me to push boundaries. That’s one thing that most influencers don’t think about. They let the inconsequential things get to them, and they hang out with the wrong people. What’s the saying? You are the top 5 people around you. Make it count!
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
If it were my last decade, I would be sad but I would also embrace life with a renewed sense of vitality. I would prioritize traveling, experiences and connections, cherishing moments with the people who matter most to me. Social media would still play a role in my life, but I would use it to document and share meaningful experiences rather than as a measure of success since my business won’t last more than a decade. Money would no longer be a primary concern, and I would seize every opportunity to experience life without hesitation. Life, in general, is hard to plan because we don’t know the destination, how much time we have left or how much resources we need. That’s why we work hard and sacrifice to survive as long as possible. However, when there is a deadline, it all comes into focus and sacrifice is not part of the plan anymore. Then it is living to the fullest and leaving nothing on the table!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.azfoodguy.com
- Instagram: azfoodguy
- Facebook: azfoodguy
- Linkedin: azfoodguy
- Twitter: azfoodguy
- Youtube: azfoodguy
- Other: My handle is @azfoodguy on everything.
