Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Magradze
Maggie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out about a year and a half ago making videos on TikTok yearning for a creative outlet. My college degree was broadcast journalism and my current job is as a marketing and communications professional, so TikTok just felt like the perfect platform to exercise my full skillset. What started out as a personal venture to get more creative and begin exploring what the Twin Cities has to offer, quickly branched out into so much more. The first video to really take off was one of my Twin Cities Restaurants In Need of More Hype videos. Within 24 hours the featured restaurant was running out of ingredients due to the influx of people visiting their establishment as a result of the video. It was then that I started to really see the potential for this channel and also responsibility that comes with having influence and making this type of content. I decided to really focus on supporting and uplifting small businesses through the videos I was making. I also started to branch out with content that focused on free and affordable events happening in the Twin Cities metro area. I wanted my content to be accessible and relatable for viewers. I also wanted to show people they can really make the most of living in the cities and romanticizing their lives without having to break the bank. Through these efforts over the last year and a half, I’ve been able to grow my audience and build a community on TikTok comprised of 25,000+ followers. I’ve also since branched out onto Instagram, BlueSky, YouTube and my own newsletter on Substack. This really all started with a dream to get more creative and it has gone beyond what I could have ever imagined. It’s truly become a business for myself where I get to do what I love and give back along the way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. In the beginning it was hard to gain momentum on social media. Many of my videos were barely reaching an audience. It took several months before I started to really gain traction. Throughout that time there was a lot of self-doubt and thoughts of whether or not this time and energy I was investing into this channel and these videos was really worth it. I kept persisting knowing that consistency can pay off over time. I also continued to remain agile and adjust my content based on what was working. Through it all the kind words of encouragement I received from my friends, family, video commenters and other Minnesota influencers really kept me going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My primary job is as a marketing and communications professional, but my secondary job that has really grown over the last year and a half has been as a content creator on TikTok (and now various other social platforms) through my handle “Maggie in Minnesota”. I focus on highlighting various restaurants and cafes as well as fun activities and things to do around the Twin Cities metro area. I’m probably most well known for my restaurant/food content. So many people have come up to me when they see me out and about noting how I’ve helped them find new places to discover in the cities, which makes this experience worthwhile. I’m truly honored when I hear that my videos have had a positive impact on someone’s life.
Times when I’m most proud are probably when businesses reach out to me noting that a video I made had a huge impact on their business, in terms of getting people in the door. That makes me emotional even now, because I understand what goes into having and running a small business. My parents owned a small business when I was growing up and I got to see firsthand the strength and determination it takes to keep a business going. I have so much respect for people who take a risk, going all in their passions and starting a business. It is for this reason that when a business wants to collaborate with me as a content creator I take that role very seriously. I want to have the best outcomes possible for that business.
I think my consistent focus on uplifting small, local businesses, whether that is through my food content or my activities content, is what sets me apart. I don’t do this for myself anymore. I do this for all the people and small businesses that have put their trust in me to receive honest, quality content about the Twin Cities by following me on my social channels or reaching out to collaborate. It is a responsibility I hold dearly. After all, it is thanks to them that I even have a platform to make an impact.
What does success mean to you?
I think it is very easy as a content creator to get stuck in a loop of feeling like you never have enough – whether that is followers, subscribers, views, brand deals, etc… It is so easy to compare yourself to others in this space and feel like you aren’t doing enough to be “successful”. That mindset can very quickly lead to anxiety and burnout which is why I found it so important early on in my journey to define my “why.” Why am I doing this content creation? What joy do I get from it? How can I sustain this and remain motivated over a long period of time?
Once I had the “why” in place, I was able to set short-term and long-term goals for myself around my social media platform that didn’t rely on anyone else’s definition of success. My version within the content creation space is being able work towards those goals I’ve set for myself, little by little everyday, until it is inevitable that I will achieve them. If I’ve been able to do that, then I’d say I’ve been successful. The only race I’m running is with myself, so I’m defining success on my terms.
Contact Info:
- TikTok: @makingitinminnesota
- Instagram: @maggieinminnesota
- BlueSky: @maggieinminnesota.bsky.social
- Youtube: @maggieinminnesota
- Substack: substack.com/@maggieinminnesota
