It began with a Google search for “Chicago + Mom + Chef,” according to the Senior Editor of Chicago Parent Magazine who interviewed me when I asked her how she even found me. I was to be in an article with two other moms, who happen to be celebrities, so I was dumbfounded as to why I was thrown in the mix. But I talk more about the details of my experience in our video.
This is more of a story about how I had been feeling discouraged, scattered, and unmotivated to continue on with our brand, this blog, and our YouTube videos after becoming a full-time mom, and how things are just starting to turn in a new direction.
When I was pregnant and worried about what a baby would do to my working mojo, many of my friends hinted at the fact that our brand may even be enhanced after becoming parents, because then we’d reach a whole new demographic and be more relatable to other busy moms out there, who are looking for easy recipes, creative inspiration, and general encouragement that it’s okay not to have it all together. I shrugged and responded with, “yeah I guess so…” but was doubtful that this would be true, because I never intended to be a “mommy blogger,” or any kind of authority when it comes to parenting.
But what I’ve come to realize is that no one expects me to be an expert…or perfect…or have a “Pinterest worthy” home while raising a well behaved great eater who actually appreciates that his mom is a chef! All I can do is be authentic and share what I do know…things I’ve learned along the way that have helped me. So even though this came at a cost of losing some of our precious viewers we had built up over the years because I am now posting more videos and Instagram pics that have nothing to do with cooking, it’s so gratifying to see that somewhere SOMEHOW I am still being encouraged to continue using this platform in whichever way I can. So that’s what the feature in Chicago Parent Magazine means to me. It’s out RIGHT NOW, in the September 2018 issue, so make sure to check it out in print if you can, but if you can’t, you can also read it online HERE: Julie Yoon Chicago Parent Magazine
It’s funny how I was so worried about a baby throwing me off my game, and it was true… it did throw me off for a bit, but in the end, it’s actually BECAUSE of Lincoln that I got to be in print for the first time in my life. If you’re in Chicago and you can’t find this magazine, it’s probably because Joe and I snatched all the copies. I’m telling you, right when I thought we had enough, Joe comes home with more! We already sent them out to some of our family members and gave them away like candy to our friends. We wish we could get a copy for all of you, with a personalized note that says thank you for walking with us on our ever-changing journey. Motherhood is a humbling experience, with many ups and downs, and even though we are starting to pivot our brand by introducing other non-cooking focused topics, food will always be my first love, so I hope you continue to grow with us, and find inspiration in whichever form I dish it.
Love, Julie
