{"id":147103,"date":"2025-01-30T15:43:57","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T15:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/4-life-lessons-we-learned-at-our-january-nobody-cares-event\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T15:43:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T15:43:57","slug":"4-life-lessons-we-learned-at-our-january-nobody-cares-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/30\/4-life-lessons-we-learned-at-our-january-nobody-cares-event\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Life Lessons We Learned at Our January Nobody Cares Event"},"content":{"rendered":"


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On Tuesday night, we hosted our fifth Nobody Cares Speaker Series at the Food52 HQ. This time our CEO, Erika Ayers Badan, sat down with three panelists who have mastered the art of turning their passions into influence: Mike Chau<\/a> (aka Foodbaby<\/a>), Becky Malinsky<\/a>(of the 5 Things You Should Buy<\/a> Newsletter), and Luke Fortney<\/a>, a former Eater NY<\/a> editor. As guests dug into an spread from Poppy\u2019s<\/a>, Athletic Brewing\u2019s Host & Toast<\/a>, and Luckybird Cakes<\/a>, the conversation pulled back the curtain on each panelist’s journey to online stardom, revealing how they\u2019ve transformed their personal interests into thriving careers.<\/p>\n

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While we took away countless insights from the night, here are four foods for thought that stuck with us:<\/p>\n

Yes, You Can Turn Your Passion Into a Business<\/h3>\n

A golden rule from all three panelists: Do what you love, and stay authentic. If they wouldn\u2019t eat it or wear it, they won\u2019t share it. Mike said that he\u2019s turned down major fast-food collaborations simply because they don\u2019t align with his lifestyle. \u201cMy family doesn\u2019t eat that on a regular basis, so I don\u2019t want to do my viewers an injustice by alluding that we do,\u201d he said. Becky echoed the sentiment: \u201cStay true to yourself and your audience. That way, what you love is never sacrificed in the name of business.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Be Someone Who People Like<\/h2>\n

Becky, Mike, and Luke all accredit their current success to the relationships they\u2019ve cultivated along the way. \u201cDo people like you or do they like the place you work for?\u201d is a question Becky found herself reflecting on after parting from the Wall Street Journal<\/em> and Vogue<\/em> to pursue a freelance career. Networking isn\u2019t about transactional gains\u2014it\u2019s about genuine bonds that outlast job titles.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s Enough to Go Around<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re worried that your voice will get lost in a sea of Substacks, the panelists said don\u2019t. For example, Luke isn\u2019t concerned about competing with other food writers\u2014New York City alone has nearly 50,000 restaurants for them all to explore. \u201cThere are so many stories to be told,\u201d he said. Becky added: \u201cA good story will always have a home.\u201d
\nTheir advice? Create the Substack. Post the TikTok. Share your thoughts, even if no one is seeing them\u2014yet. \u201cSafety nets are gone. The recognizable jobs are nonexistent,\u201d Becky pointed out. The media landscape is shifting, but there\u2019s always room for fresh voices, including yours.<\/p>\n

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Mistakes Make Us Human<\/h2>\n

In a world increasingly run by algorithms, human error is a feature, not a bug. Becky shared that one of her readers actually appreciated a small typo in her 5 Things newsletter\u2014it was proof it wasn\u2019t written by AI. \u201cUnexpected humanness will always be valued,\u201d she said. Imperfections aren\u2019t flaws; they\u2019re proof of an irreplaceable voice. Own them.<\/p>\n

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Which takeaway resonated most with you? Let us know in the comments and join us<\/a> for our next panel with Dr. Jody Carrington on February 25th!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n