We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Armani Thao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Armani , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Before diving into the world of blogging, I had this quirky habit of capturing my culinary escapades through the lens of my phone. It was more of a personal indulgence than a public display, though occasionally, I’d toss a few snapshots on Instagram or Facebook. The turning point arrived during a dimly lit dinner at Surf in Portsmouth, NH, with Nic, my now-husband, in March 2016. I found myself borrowing Nic’s phone flashlight to capture a shot of a lobster dish I had ordered.
Back in 2016, food photography wasn’t as mainstream as it is today. Nic, slightly embarrassed by my impromptu photo session, curiously inquired about the fate of my growing collection of food pictures. I confessed it was merely a hobby, lacking any concrete purpose. Nic, ever insightful, suggested that if there was a meaningful intent behind these photos, he could wholeheartedly support it. And that casual conversation birthed the idea of @ForkingWithArmani.
In that moment, I decided to transform my culinary hobby into a purposeful venture. My blog, initially, became a platform to share the joy of my ‘positive’ culinary adventures, celebrate local businesses, and unveil the hidden gems I stumbled upon. And guess what? It still does exactly that today, staying true to the essence of its inception. However, I did wait a couple of months after the incident before creating the page in May 2016. Hahaha!
Over the years, I find myself incredibly thankful and blessed to acknowledge that my blog has consistently surpassed any expectations I initially harbored. Alongside this growth, my purpose for the blog has also evolved. It was during the challenging times of the pandemic that my passion for supporting local establishments truly deepened. Witnessing the industry suffer, Nic and I were profoundly moved by the countless stories of struggling owners. Be it preserving a family legacy, embarking on a new business endeavor, or chasing one’s dream, these narratives touched our hearts. Compelled by their dedication, we felt driven to utilize @ForkingWithArmani as a platform to help promote their businesses, transforming our blog into a beacon of support during those difficult times.
Today that mission remains, but I am very selective on who I work with. I only partner with restaurants and brands I genuinely believe in. Because, at the end of the day, my blog’s purpose is to stay true to myself, supporting the restaurants and brands I truly stand behind.
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?
I’m really proud to say that my blog has grown immensely, reaching the point where I can officially call it my business. In addition to my role as a full-time Executive Assistant at a major Boston hospital, I wear multiple hats—I’m a content curator, a social media strategist, and manager for a list of clientele. All the while, I’m also running my own page as an influencer.
What excites me the most is that I managed to kick-start my business and become an expert in my field simply by being resourceful and passionate about what I do. That’s the magic of social media—it gives you the chance to create something significant from scratch. I genuinely hope that my story can inspire fellow creators out there to pursue their passions wholeheartedly and find success.
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?
In my journey, I’ve found three qualities and skills to be incredibly impactful: Initiative, Passion, and Adaptability. Taking initiative was key; I delved into every aspect of my industry, from mastering my cellphone camera’s capabilities to diving deep into social media analytics. Proactively seeking knowledge is fundamental for a successful journey.
Passion, without a doubt, is the driving force. It’s the heart and soul of your journey. Finding that unwavering love for what you do, repeatedly, is crucial. Passion breeds resilience; it helps you navigate through the challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem. There’ll always be aspects you don’t like, but your passion becomes your guiding light.
And then there’s adaptability. The industry is constantly evolving, and being open to change is invaluable. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep growing. Being open to new situations, technologies, and environments ensures you stay relevant and continue to flourish in your journey.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
A significant area where I’ve truly grown is in the quality of my content and the speed at which I execute my work. I’ve reached a stage in my career where I’ve honed in on my brand, established a storytelling method, and become incredibly proficient in my editing skills. Tasks that used to consume hours of my time now only take a few minutes. Sure, I still encounter moments of ‘creators block,’ but thankfully, those instances are becoming rarer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ForkingWithArmani.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/forkingwitharmani
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forkingwitharmani
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armani-thao
- Other: TikTok: www.TikTok.com/@ForkingWithArmani
