I acquired laid off from Twitter in November, however now I am making six figures as a meals influencer. Here is how.

Priyanka Naik is a 34-year-old meals blogger who’s on monitor to make six figures this 12 months.
In November, Naik was laid off from her function main partnerships at Twitter.

That is an as-told-to story based mostly on a dialog with Priyanka Naik, the meals blogger behind the model Chef Priyanka. Insider has verified her revenue with documentation. This dialog has been condensed and edited for readability.

For over a decade, I juggled a full-time gig in tech with a flourishing aspect hustle as a vegan blogger.

Throughout that point, I toggled between roles at locations like Bloomberg and Conde Nast. I landed at Twitter in 2018.

I spent virtually 5 years at Twitter main partnerships within the US, after which for the entire of North America and Latin America.

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All of the whereas, I used to be constructing my model: Chef Priyanka.

I grew up vegetarian. Between observing my dad and mom, and experimenting alone, I discovered how one can make scrumptious, plant-based meals.

But, it wasn’t till I began working, and going out for lunch, that I spotted there weren’t many good choices for vegans. So, I began placing my culinary concepts on the market by running a blog. Ultimately, I began getting recognition from varied meals media websites.

I started to assume: Perhaps I am higher than I believe I’m at this?

Twitter gave me flexibility

One of many causes I stayed so lengthy at Twitter was due to the attain and suppleness it gave me to develop Chef Priyanka.

I used to be upfront with the corporate about my aspect hustle after I joined. I advised them I would not work at a spot that did not assist my ardour. Although I have been a high performer for my complete profession, and it might need been a unique story if I wasn’t.

On many days, I used to be virtually concurrently engaged on my weblog and finishing up the duties of my job— which I do not suggest.

The cool factor about Twitter was that lots of my colleagues have been pursuing their passions via aspect hustles, too.

Nothing lasts ceaselessly, after all. I used to be already planning my exit technique after I acquired laid off final November. I may inform the tradition of the corporate was altering and I did not wish to be a part of the drama of the Musk period.

And in some methods, it was the nudge I wanted to show Chef Priyanka right into a full-time gig. I had all the time dreamed of taking my ardour full-time. I hesitated, although, questioning if I had sufficient credibility within the business to go all-in. I additionally fearful about whether or not the step can be suitable with my monetary objectives.

How I earn a six-figure revenue

I am on monitor to make six-figures this 12 months: A few of the cash comes from posting on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. A few of it comes from my cookbook, The Trendy Tiffin, which I printed in 2021 via Simon & Schuster. A major chunk, although, comes from model partnerships and activations. Since final April, I’ve additionally been writing a column for The Washington Put up known as EcoKitchen.

I credit score this all to the work I put into my model over these previous 10 years.

Other than growing new recipes and posting movies on social media, I additionally entered cooking competitions. I gained the Meals Community competitors Cooks vs. Cons in 2017. My identify within the business actually began taking off after that.

I am not obsessive about going viral

One of many ways in which I’ve saved myself grounded— regardless of having so many irons within the fireplace— is thru a transparent model identification.

That wasn’t simple by the best way. Once I first began, individuals would inform me there wasn’t an viewers for somebody like me— a brown, vegan girl with an atypical path into the culinary world. I confused individuals and that was irritating.

Over time, although, I developed a clearer sense of myself. I even began taking a “zero-waste” method to my cooking. Which implies I eat watermelon as a substitute of tossing the rinds I make a pickle out of them.

Today, I might describe myself as somebody who’s empowering individuals to reside eco-friendly lives.

One of many greatest advantages of getting a transparent model is that it takes the strain off of going viral on social media. I submit recipes that I am happy with as a substitute of worrying about what number of viewers they’re going to appeal to.

It is also laborious to foretell how something will carry out. I as soon as posted a recipe for an Indian savory snack known as chaat utilizing tostones that I believed would go viral— it did not.

My recipe for large fusilli with spinach jalapeno pesto, although, was my most viral submit of 2022. Chrissy Teigen even purchased the pasta due to my video. To be sincere, I did not put a ton of labor into it, and was stunned it did so properly.

The underside line is that if in case you have a ardour simply preserve pushing. I made this all occur whereas having an entire different profession— it is doable.

Had been you laid off? How’d it have an effect on your life? And what did you do subsequent? We would love to listen to your story — ship us an electronic mail at [email protected].