Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Fuentes.
Hi Benjamin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I love being asked this question. Back in 2013, I did a lot of traveling for work. I was young and getting to experience many cities. After a while of traveling, I found myself falling into a rut. I would go to a training or conference, go back to my hotel, work out, and eat something from a major chain or just eat in my hotel room. I was not taking advantage of my situation, which was getting to be in a different city each month. I finally told myself, I would only visit local restaurants. I began looking on Yelp for local restaurants and started going off the beaten path. I would meet so many amazing people along the way. The beauty of visiting a local business is that you will most likely meet the owner. I spoke with chefs, restauranteurs, and owners. The one thing I found in common between all of them was passion. A passion for making great food and ensuring each guest had an amazing experience. That was when it hit me! Share their story. I began posting food pictures of restaurants on my personal Facebook page, which coincidentally annoyed some of my friends. So, I began Kansas City Foodie Finds. I would go out and eat at a local establishment, I would take a picture, and I would post it to Instagram. Six years later, I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime, had some of the best food the city has to offer and helped people grow their businesses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most challenging aspect of being a “social media influencer” is being authentic and staying true to yourself. I never viewed myself as an influence. When I got started, I did not even know what an influencer was. I viewed it as marketing. I wanted to share people’s stories and I wanted to eat great food along the way. I began to amass a following quickly. People wanted to eat good food and didn’t always know where to find it. As my following grew, I began to be able to profit from my Instagram account. I, by no means, am rich. I am the son of immigrant parents with humble beginnings. I took out a lot of student loans, which I still owe, to pay for college. I am a husband and a father that works every day to find ways to provide the best life for my family. Unfortunately, people do not like “Ads.” That is how social media works. That is how the internet works. Ads generate revenue. I have turned down work and money from companies that I did not feel aligned with my values or were completely not in my wheelhouse. But that was hard. I want to stay true to myself and my followers but I would also love the opportunity to be able to market Kansas City full time. It is an amazing city and I want everyone to know that.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have grown Kansas City Foodie Finds slowly over the last six years. When I began, my plan was to focus on photography. My content was my creation. The chef created a delicious meal and I was hoping to somehow convey the deliciousness to my audience. I have failed many times along the way. Continuing with the concept of authenticity, I try not to set up photoshoots. I want you to see the food the way you will get it at the restaurant. It does me no good to photograph a perfectly crafted and staged pizza if when you order, it will look nothing like the photo. I think that’s been my strength. Not staging. Not crafting. Somehow, I was voted Top 8 food photographers in Kansas City, and to this day I chuckle when I read that article. Here I am with an iPhone and a window seat being mentioned amongst amazing photographers in Kansas City. I humbly appreciate the mention but truly know I do not belong in that category.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t be afraid. If you have an idea, a passion; follow it. I for so long stayed away from video because I thought I needed expensive software and equipment. But with an iPhone and an editing app and the boost of confidence from a marketing conference in San Diego, I realized I was just scared. If you are true to yourself, you will find your tribe. You will find like-minded people.
Contact Info:
- Email: bfuentesks@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.benjaminfuentes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kansascityfoodiefinds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCFoodieFinds
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KCFoodieFinds
Image Credits
Ben Huddleston
Benjamin Fuentes
Joanna Thomas
