Meet Dionne Passacantando

Dionne, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I think overcoming imposter syndrome is something that I continue to work at and it demands consistency, just like exercising or going to therapy. We all have feelings of inadequacy at times but being someone that does experience high anxiety, it can heighten those feelings and create some uncertainty about what the hell I’m doing or where its going. In those moments, I have to remind myself to slow down and be present to really appreciate where my hard work and ambition have already taken me while simultaneously knowing that I will always strive to keep growing. That push-pull dynamic is what propels me forward and I want my kids to see that you can live out your dreams and find an authentic, creative career path. The hustle is what gets you there but it’s a constant balancing act to be able to acknowledge what you’ve already accomplished while keeping on the path to betterment. Oh, and be sure to surround yourself with supportive people. Having positive folks in your corner is absolutely clutch.

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 write and create content for my food, beverage, hospitality and travel publication & brand: Rocky Mountain Food Report. We provide coverage of food culture to include information about upcoming and existing restaurants, bars and hotels as well as previewing and recapping F&B events and festivals, hosting giveaways, writing product reviews, sharing recipes and highlighting all things delicious.

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?
Storytelling/writing skills: At my core, I fancy myself a writer and the desire to share information, shine a light on something notable and give my readers the details to make an educated decision to eat, drink, play or stay somewhere is definitely at the heart of what I do.

Authenticity: My voice rings true in everything I write, create and share. I think being able to offer your followers/readers that sense of self allows people to get to know you and see where you’re coming from. In that way, you form real connections with people and that’s what I believe most of us are searching for through social media platforms and by reading any kind of written word.

Dedication/consistency: For most of us, success doesn’t just happen overnight and to build a brand or create trust between you and your readers it takes a commitment to consistency creating authentic content. I produce content regularly and do so with integrity to ensure that whoever is reading or watching it can have that familiarity and assuredness that what I’m saying, promoting is true to me. It’s like the feeling you get knowing you’re able to talk to a good friend and feeling confident that they’ll be there for you and they won’t blow smoke up your ass.

Practice makes perfect. Keep working, keep writing, keep creating and you’ll find your zone, your audience, yourself.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Always! I love collaborating with other influencers, working with F&B/Hospitality brands and just spreading the love around. to produce great content. I routinely highlight photographers and work closely with marketing & PR firms to ensure I’m in the know so I can pay that information forward to my readers. The only thing better than one good idea, is the synergy of good ideas to create something primo. If you’re reading this and want to collaborate, do reach out! We love a good brainstorming session and the F&B/Hospitality industry is all about creating community and finding enjoyment in this one beautiful life.