Did you know that GenZ and Millennials are 99% more likely to choose a restaurant based on social media and online reviews? It's true. On today's episode, I interview Dara Pollak, a food influencer and NYC-based social media consultant, about everything restaurant owners and food brands need to know when it comes to having a strong presence on IG, TikTok and Facebook. Tune in to learn about easy-to-implement tips, trends and strategies you can start using today.  Have a burning marketing question after listening to our conversation? Email me at [email protected] and I'll dig into it with you!  In the meantime, be sure to follow Dara on Instagram and while you're at it, don't sleep on her best pizza in NYC roundup. You can thank me later for that extra gem. 

Curious about how to get your brand featured in a daily morning show? Grab a cup of coffee and press play to hear the top tips in 10 minutes for how to land media exposure, shared by the host of health + lifestyle TV show BLOOM, Gayle Guyardo. Gayle and I have cheffed up countless recipes together in the BLOOM kitchen. Today, we decided to make our shared love for food and supporting independently owned restaurants official on this special episode. For more insider media knowledge, follow Gayle on social media or catch her daily TV segment, aired exclusively on WFLA News Channel 8. IG: https://www.instagram.com/gayleguyardotv/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Thinking of shaking things up and making the switch from corporate life to entrepreneurship? Tune into today’s episode to learn from two incredible female mixologists Kim + Cha, known for their expert craft cocktail skills and passion for innovating the beverage space. This duo has worked their way through every hospitality role you can think of, gathering a lifetime of experience along the way. Today they’re the founders of Lucky Elephant Wine Products, Red Skirt Wines and Lucky Elephant Solutions, a luxury beverage consultancy that’s dedicated to optimizing the operator and guest experience. Follow along with Kim + Cha by tapping the links below: IG: https://www.instagram.com/luckyelephantsolutions/ Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/mchavely/ Website: Lucky Elephant Solutions --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Is hydroponic farming the future of food? I’ll let you decide. Briant Wildes, brand storyteller and account manager at Brick Street Farms, chats with me about how it works, why it’s beneficial and what goes on behind the scenes to make it one of the most sustainable farming practices out there. I loved our leafy green infused episode and if you’re interested in where your food comes from, you will too. Follow along with Briant’s journey at Brick Street Farms by tapping the links below: Briant’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briantm2/ Brick Street Farms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brickstreetfarms/ Website: Home - Brick Street Farms --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Are you a female founder or a woman thinking about starting a business? If so, grab a pen and paper and tune into this quick episode. I talk about what it was like starting my entrepreneurial journey and thoughtful questions every founder can ask themselves to feel more grounded, and confident in leaning into their purpose. P.S. In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, you can expect to hear from more female founders all March long. As always, if you have any feedback or would like to submit a guest request for the pod, you can find me at any of the below links! IG: www.instagram.com/melsantell Web: www.foodxfeels.com Email: [email protected] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Coffee. We love it. We meme it. We dream about it. On today’s episode I’m joined by Roast Master and Chief Operating Officer of Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company, Chris de Mezzo, who shares an inside look into coffee’s seed to cup journey. We talk all about his travels to coffee farms across the world, how he learned the science behind roasting, and the day he landed the partnership that made Joffrey’s the official speciality coffee of Walt Disney World. Oh, and we may or may not have also had a quiet debate about iced coffee vs. cold brew. Connect with Chris and Joffrey’s by tapping the links below: Chris' IG Joffrey's Coffee IG Facebook TikTok Website --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Are you routinely moving through your day-to-day existence or are you living your best life? Today's guest created a powerful personal brand dedicated to helping us answer that very question. This episode is a bit of an off-menu special, designed to take you away from the kitchen table and deep into the impact a relatable brand can have on the world. I'm joined by mindfulness expert and serial entrepreneur, Case Kenny, who shares his story on how his podcast "New Mindset, Who Dis?" climbed to the top of Apple and Spotify's top 25 charts, while gaining 450,000 loyal Instagram fans in the process. If you haven't had the pleasure of getting formally acquainted with his work, it's likely you've seen his handwritten quotes and affirmations on the 'gram. Tap any of the links below for an inevitable shift in perspective: Instagram Twitter Facebook --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Prepare for a sweet spin on today’s episode with special guest Emily Harpel, the Founder and CEO of specialty cotton candy company, Art of Sucre. Emily’s cotton candy empire started as an idea to transform a nostalgic treat into an edible, chic moment. Today it’s an international, e-commerce powerhouse and TikTok sensation... And that’s just a taste of what the brand has to offer. Tune in to hear about her journey from solopreneur to managing a team of 20, all while spinning a handcrafted treat from our childhood. For an extra snack, follow along with Art of Sucre on social media: IG: https://www.instagram.com/artofsucre/?hl=en Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artofsucre?lang=en Web: https://artofsucre.com Until next time! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Do you ever wish you had the secret recipe for entrepreneurship? On today's episode, I'm joined by Rosana Rivera, a Tampa-based chef, restaurant owner and TV personality with over 16 years of experience. We chat about how she entered the food world, her biggest challenges and takeaways as a business owner, and how to manage the work that comes with multiple streams of income. Tune in to hear her success story first-hand, including the time she won Beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network. The tea we spill on the behind the scenes process is not to be missed. If you loved listening, reach out to Rosana on social media and say hello! Tap the follow button on the linked accounts below: LinkedIn Instagram Chef and the Baker --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support

Food and technology aren't an obvious pairing, but they're an actual power couple when it comes to restaurant operations. #inlove On today's episode, I'm joined by serial entrepreneur, Chon Nguyen, the Founder & CEO of Newgentek, Co-Founder & CEO of Fusionprep and Partner of Proper House Restaurant Group, to share how he bridged the gap between hospitality and technology. Our conversation is filled with insights like the key benefits of having a solid IT infrastructure at your restaurant, Chon's tips for starting a business and how to fight burnout when you're constantly on the grind. Tune in for the sauce. Connect with Chon on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter Hit the follow button on his business accounts: Newgentek, Proper House Group --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/melissa-santell/support