A creative success story turned business venture, Chicago Food Guide has transformed his love for exploring urban dining spots into an authoritative local guide and a successful media company. 

Chicago Food Guide’s success story began with a fascination for the creativity of small businesses and the vibrant, supportive central communities.

Starting with a single Instagram post in December 2019, Chicago Food Guide has evolved into more than just a documentary of Amin’s small business dining journey. 

The page has grown into a powerful promotional tool for local businesses and a window of opportunity for the founder of Chicago Food Guide.

The Creator Behind the Chicago Food Guide Brand

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chicago Food Guide (@chicago.food.guide)

Driven by his fascination with creative small businesses, the very first videos on the Chicago Food Guide were heartfelt reviews of these unique establishments.

Amin, the creator behind the brand, shares in an exclusive interview with Net Influencer, “When you’re from the suburbs, you’re used to commercial chains like Ruby Tuesdays and TGI Fridays. Discovering the city with its cool and hipster-looking places was quite the revelation for me.”

Initially, the idea was far from a business venture. “I started by taking pictures of the food at these restaurants and thought about starting a blog,” he says. “But my wife suggested Instagram instead, saying, ‘What is this, 2005?'”

This pivot to Instagram marked the beginning of an unexpected journey. He began by posting photos of the meals he enjoyed, guided by a friend’s advice to engage with the community by following, liking, and commenting on other food-related posts. 

This strategy, though time-consuming, laid the groundwork for his success, and sped up the process. 

Amin explains that his success in the dining scene heavily relied on engaging with others online and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. 

His commitment to authentic interactions and regular updates helped build a loyal following and turned his passion project into a powerful platform for promoting local businesses.

What Was Your Creative Journey Like?

Starting his career as a creator, Amin faced significant challenges and took over two years to reach his current level of influence. 

He explained, “The first two years were tough, with no financial returns. I didn’t make a single dollar.”

Despite the slow growth process, Amin remained determined. He continued to refine his content, build his audience, and engage with followers. His persistence eventually paid off, leading to partnerships with local businesses and brand collaborations. 

“It was challenging, but the passion kept me going,” Amin reflects in the interview.

The Breakthrough Of Chicago Food Guide

Chicago Food Guide’s breakthrough came with the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels. 

“The shift from posting photos to creating engaging videos, doubling down on user interaction, and expanding to other platforms really helped us blow up,” he said.

Although it all started as a passion for food, the increased exposure turned it into a profitable business model to help promote local small businesses. 

“We now have a queue of 20 restaurants to post about and have become very selective with collaborations,” Amin added.

This rigorous schedule demanded not only creativity but also relentless dedication. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a rhythm and a method that works, essentially creating a repeatable process that guarantees consistent content delivery.

The Business Behind the Brand

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chicago Food Guide (@chicago.food.guide)

Chicago Food Guide’s business model comprises three main components:

• Content Creation and Promotion: “We promote restaurants, experiences, hotels, and more. Companies hire us for one-time videos featured on Chicago Food Guide.” This aspect of the business involves creating visually appealing and engaging content that highlights the unique aspects of each establishment. From showcasing the ambiance to capturing the culinary delights, each video is crafted to resonate with viewers and entice them to visit.
• Influencer Marketing: “Many restaurants love working with influencers but don’t know who to hire or how much to pay. We handle that for them, ensuring effective and cost-efficient campaigns.” By leveraging his extensive network and understanding of the influencer landscape, Amin connects restaurants with the right influencers, ensuring that the collaborations are mutually beneficial and impactful.
• Social Media Management: “Restaurant owners have a thousand things to worry about. We manage their social media, creating and posting content to maintain a strong online presence.” This service alleviates the burden of social media management from restaurant owners, allowing them to focus on their core operations while ensuring that their online presence is managed by a professional. 

Is Content Creation A Full-time Profession?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chicago Food Guide (@chicago.food.guide)

Despite the full-time demands of running the Chicago Food Guide, Amin also manages multiple professional roles, including a full-time career as an ESL teacher.

He shared in the interview, “I teach kids from various countries English and social studies. Teaching is something I love. The business, though more profitable, is systematically managed by a trusted team.”

He explains that balancing roles demands careful time management and a strong commitment to his students and content creation efforts. His teaching role provides him with the fulfillment of giving back, while the business ventures offer a creative outlet and financial rewards.

Food Review Creator Vs. Local Food Guide

Amin doesn’t perceive his platform from a typical creator’s angle.

 “We’re a brand that works closely with restaurants,” he explains. “During video shoots, we ask owners what they want to be highlighted and then present it organically. It’s not scripted; it’s directed in a meaningful, inbound approach.”

Straying away from loud promotional messaging solely driven by monetary incentives, Amin incorporates a creator’s delivery style. This ensures that all messages are memorable and relatable.

Amin tells us, “I’m not the type to rate places out of 10. We focus on what makes each place special.”

What’s Next For Chicago Food Guide?

Amin and the Chicago Food Guide team are looking into branching out into different types of content and collaborations. 

“We’ve done some comedy stuff, promoted boating companies, car companies, and more,” he states.

“The goal is to keep diversifying,” he adds. This diversification broadens his audience and allows him to explore different creative avenues. 

Amin is also considering starting a YouTube channel and possibly a podcast to delve deeper into the stories behind the restaurants and their owners.

Community and Connection

For Amin, the community aspect is the basis of growth. 

“It’s like a big networking event,” he explains.. “You have to introduce yourself, say hi, and create a dialogue. It’s not just about telling people who you are, but also listening and engaging with them.”

 This philosophy has helped him build a loyal and interactive community that feels personally connected to him and his content.

Advice For Aspiring Creators

Emphasizing the importance of engaging with followers and other creators to cultivate a sense of community, Amin shares, “Engage with your audience. Social media is like a big networking event. It’s more effective to be in a discussion, talking with people, instead of just talking at them.”

He also suggests that creators should learn from those around them. “You have to be capable of adapting to new formats and trends,” he states. “I’m not saying to hop on every new hot topic, but absorb successful content formats and turn them into your own.”

Wrapping Up

For Chicago Food Guide, the journey as a passionate foodie turned culinary media company is a testament to the many passions that can be profitable with a dedication to content creation and storytelling.

Balancing his full-time teaching job with a flourishing content creation business, he continues to inspire and entertain a growing audience. 

Amin’s dedication to authenticity and his innovative approach to social media make him a standout figure in the digital content world, with a bright future ahead.