Meet TinTin Beligan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful TinTin Beligan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with TinTin below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have TinTin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I think I definitely get my work ethic from both of my parents. My mom was already working while she was in college while studying to earn her Bachelor’s degree. My dad has always worked 12 hour shifts at the hospital for decades. So I started working at a young age when I was 14 even though the hours weren’t as long. He always said, “You have to earn it.” I have always kept that in mind in every job I have had.

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

I started my journey in food content creation over 8 years ago, at a time when social media was really taking off as the go-to space for food lovers. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and even Snapchat were becoming a trend for foodies to discover new spots, and I leaned in early. At first, my focus was primarily on Instagram, since it was the perfect platform to showcase restaurants, dishes, and overall dining experiences in a visual way. Over time, I expanded into Facebook and even launched a blog, which helped me connect with an even wider audience.

What’s exciting is that all the effort I put in early on paid off pretty quickly. Just a few months in, I joined Girls on Food, and that really marked the turning point in my journey. Through that platform, I had the chance to network with so many incredible people like fellow influencers, chefs, restaurant owners, and PR/marketing professionals. It became the perfect springboard for building not just my brand, but also genuine relationships within the food community.

What I find most special about this work is the storytelling aspect and being able to capture the creativity of a dish, the heart behind a restaurant, and the overall experience in a way that resonates with people. It’s more than just showing food…it’s about connection, culture, and community.

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?

Looking back, there are three things that really shaped my journey. The first was attending my very first Techmunch conference. I still remember sitting in the audience, hearing creators and industry leaders share their stories and how they got started, the obstacles they faced, and the creative ways they built their platforms. It opened my eyes to what was possible and gave me both inspiration and practical guidance that I carried with me moving forward.

The second was having a strong support system. In content creation, it’s easy to get discouraged…whether it’s slow growth, tough feedback, or just feeling stuck creatively. But having people around me who encouraged me, reminded me of my goals, and celebrated even the small wins made all the difference. Their belief in me helped me stay consistent when I might have otherwise given up.

And third, connecting with like-minded people along the way has been invaluable. Whether it was meeting a fellow foodie at an event or collaborating with someone who shared the same passion, those relationships fueled my growth. It’s not just about networking. It’s about finding people who understand the grind, share ideas, and push you to keep evolving.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest piece of advice is to lead with passion and purpose. Ask yourself why you’re doing this? Whether it’s to highlight small businesses, build community, or share your love for food and let that “why” guide everything you do. When your motivation comes from a genuine place, it shows in your work and gives you the resilience to keep going, even when the journey gets tough.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in storytelling and voiceovers. A really good friend of mine has been coaching me along the way, and that guidance has made such a difference. When I look back at some of my earlier videos from when reels first started gaining popularity, I can clearly hear how much I’ve improved. My friend encouraged me to be more upbeat, more engaging, and to really bring out my personality through my voice. That shift has elevated the way I connect with my audience, and I can confidently say this past year has been a turning point in how I present my content.

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