We had the good fortune of connecting with Serena Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Serena, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Born and raised in the Bay Area (specifically South Bay) and so grateful to have grown up in a diverse and loving city. I come from a family that always paved their career paths by being entrepreneurs. My mother, aunts, and uncles have owned restaurants throughout the past 20 years and have inspired me to do something similar. My family business centers around the food and restaurant business and it’s safe to say my love for food stems from them. Fast forward 20 years, I’m working for a PR agency in the restaurant and hospitality industry as a Social Media Coordinator! My love for social media, food and inspiration from family is a big part of who I’ve become today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Since starting my food blog, a few things I’m most proud of are growing my food photography and creativity skills. It started with my food blog on Instagram during the pandemic. Once getting comfortable immersing myself in the food community, finding my voice/brand, and building upon digital media skills, I found myself pretty confident with where I am in my personal and professional career. What makes it so easy to talk about both of these things is that it revolves around food and social media; two things that I genuinely love. My personal endeavors (food blog) have led to opening up professional career opportunities. Where I am today is the result of taking the time to research all things digital media (analyzing analytics, social media trends, etc.) and fully immersing myself in digital marketing. All of the hours and courses I’ve taken have helped me get the professional role I have right now. I’ve learned that if you find what you genuinely love and care about, you won’t work a day in your life. And that’s what I’m going through at the moment with my current role. I wake up excited to go to work and help out restaurants in the Digital Media aspect. I hope others find the same passion.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re visiting the Bay Area, there’s is no doubt I would show them around San Francisco. There’s no better place to show them around the various neighborhoods in the city. There are plenty of food spots! I can’t even pinpoint a specific restaurant because there are always new emerging places to check out. Now, away from the city and what we have in our backyard is, Yosemite National Park. Just 3 hours away, I can show you one of the best National Parks in the states. There’s no better way to experience California than hiking trails, seeing beautiful waterfalls, and immersing yourself in what mother nature has to offer. Yosemite and the city are a MUST and I will show you all of the things you need to see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A big shoutout to my parents who’ve always let me take the reigns on how I should steer my own life and trusting me. A shoutout to my boyfriend who is my #1 supporter; he believes I could succeed in all my endeavors and will continue to support me in all ways. My bestfriends/friend group who are just as supportive. And a special shoutout to my friend (you know who you are) for unintentionally inspiring me to start a food blog! She started her food blog first and during the pandemic, I found the courage to start my own, which led me to social media career opportunities. So thank you to these people.

Website: https://www.smnportfolio.com/

Instagram: @smn.eats

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenamainguyen/

Other: https://www.smneats.com/

Image Credits
All images taken and edited by me (Serena N.)