Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rashad Jiles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rashad, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Since I was young, I’ve been in a creative space. I attended an Arts elementary where we studied music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. So when asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was never, a doctor, teacher, or astronaut. It was and still kind of is, “an actor/ entertainer” And for my childhood and most of my adult life I got to live in those creative spaces. When we become adults and the sometimes harsh realities of life hit you, you are forced into jobs and positions that create “structure” and “stability” and they literally make you to sit down (at a desk). I’d find my self bored and fidgety or drawing and coloring pictures all over my calendar. While working as a flight attendant everything was very uniform, we all had to look the same and sound the same but as soon as I got the opportunity to add a pin to my uniform or make a special announcement that deviated from the usual script I took the opportunity and ran with it!
When I got the opportunity to really let my creative flag fly with Rashad Eats The World, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt a live again. My creativity wasn’t being forced and it was finally free! Now, I feel like I’m thriving. Yes I am able to do what I want but working with brands adds some restrictions. Not as much as me working for the previous companies but enough to maintain brand integrity. Now I think it’s fun to challenge myself to be creative with aligning my brand with the brands that I work with. That takes a whole lot of creative within itself.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am Rashad of Rashad Eats The World. I am a food and travel enthusiast! I’ve always had a love for food and travel but never knew sharing it with the world would become my career. Before, I was a flight attendant for 5 years. My favorite part of a layover was going out and exploring the city through my tastebuds. During Covid, when the world came to a screeching halt, I was devastated and longed for travel again. When boredom met creativity Rashad Eats The World was born.
I went from sharing the dishes I was eating all over the world to recreating them in my kitchen.
With my dad being a chef and my mom being a foodie as well, I knew cooking would be a part of my life some way some how.
I’m currently running a food blog on all social media platforms where I share my love for food and travel. I am currently working on my first cookbook , titled “Rashad Eats The World” where I am sharing my favorite recipes that I’ve adapted from some of my favorite destinations I’ve visited. It’s due to be released in early spring. I am also working on a YouTube series, short segment cooking show that features guests who help me cook delicious recipes.
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?
The fact that I am resilient plays a big part in how I got to where I am now. Wanting something so bad and being told no can be tough and trying out new ideas and not getting a positive response and be crushing but being able to bounce back quickly and head back to the drawing board is what gets me through the storms. Having the “Gift of gab” used to get me into trouble when I was young because I didn’t know when enough was enough, but NOW I have been able to talk my way into rooms and opportunities that I didn’t even know where possible.
Knowing that I am certain of nothing. So I am always observant and willing to learn even as I teach.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents taught me to be kind to people. No matter what, even if they aren’t kind to you, give them grace. Most of the time it has nothing to do with you, it’s something personal they are struggling with. I found this to be the most helpful and most true whole working in the airline industry. Think about your latest travel experience, you booked your ticket and now you’re excited! Now it’s time to go and your Uber is late, then when you get to the airport your bag is over weight and you have to take somethings out or even pay an extra fee. Then you get to the security and they are yelling at you to take everything out of your pockets only to get scanned and the quarter you forgot in your pocket sets the machine off so now they have to pay you down. You finally make it to your gate only for your flight to be delayed. It’s finally time to board and you’re treated by a smiling flight attendant. Are you really going to want to smile back? That’s been the case so many times so I don’t take it personal. I just made it my personal goal to turn their experience around.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rashadeatstheworld?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rashadeattheworld?si=-fWOlLVkAMrqp8bt
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rashadeatstheworld?_t=8fkopo1aL1T&_r=1
