Meet Shakira Ross Mack

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shakira Ross Mack a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shakira , 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?

I have been keeping my creativity alive by taking more breaks. I tend to push myself constantly to do more, which often leads to burnout and leaves me unable to accomplish anything. This year, between moving and adjusting to life as a newlywed, I have been focusing on taking breaks to recharge. I have tried to go for daily walks outdoors while listening to music. One of my goals for next year is to resume my yoga practice.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Shakira Ross-Mack is the CFO of Dreamy Eats Worldwide!

I developed the concept of Chief Foodie Officer (CFO) as a playful nod to my full-time profession as an accountant. In the finance industry, the highest executive position is that of Chief Financial Officer. I have been involved in finance for nearly 20 years, beginning with pursuing an Accounting and Finance degree. However, my passion for food started long before my career in finance. My blog, Dreamy Eats Worldwide, initially focused on supporting small chains and local eateries, particularly minority-owned and woman-owned. Additionally, I feature food-related events and festivals through a monthly calendar for the Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

I express my love for food through brand merchandise, which offers comfy foodie apparel and niche gifts. This brand is for brunch lovers, tacos enthusiasts, and those who enjoy a good oxtail—and, of course, much more! Designing merchandise allows me another opportunity to be creative.

“I prefer to showcase small businesses because they often have limited marketing budgets. So often, my content creation is done at my own expense or at minimal cost to the businesses. My reviews are positive since there is more than enough negativity. Offering merchandise and gifts is how I am to continue to give back.”

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?

I think the three qualities that have the most impactful on my journey is being creative, resilent, and the willingness to learn.

Creativity is central to content creation, food blogging, and product development. It involves generating unique ideas, presenting food in visually appealing ways, and crafting engaging stories. For business owners, innovation is essential for developing new products, services, and marketing strategies that distinguish them from competitors.

Resilience empowers me to conquer challenges and setbacks, allowing me to maintain a positive outlook even in tough situations. I’ve faced moments when I considered giving up, but something always sparks a renewed determination in me, reminding me why I embarked on this journey in the first place.

There is so much to learn in this field. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) leverages the power of content optimization to enhance your visibility in search engine results, converting that visibility into increased web traffic. Social Media Management utilizes platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to build connections with your followers, share meaningful updates, and actively engage with your community. Analytics and Data Interpretation involve exploring metrics and analytics to refine your strategies, unlocking the potential for deeper engagement and impressive conversion rates.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I am open to partnering and collaborating with individuals passionate about the culinary world, supporting local businesses, and creating memorable experiences for communities. I would love to continue partnering with restaurant weeks and food and drink-related festivals. In the past, I have partnered with Richmond Black Restaurant Week, Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week (now a month long celebration), and DC Vegan Restaurant Week.

Small, family-owned restaurants and unique dining establishments hold a special place in my heart, and my brand is all about supporting them.

Supporting small businesses is essential for vibrant communities. If you own a small business, whether a café, bakery, or food-related retail shop, I am interested in working together to create initiatives that drive community engagement and support local entrepreneurs.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

N/A

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your