Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Buschman.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I lost my job. I was in Human Resources at a restaurant franchise in Wisconsin. I wanted to continue to support the restaurant industry, so I decided I would eat at a local spot once a week. I decided I would review some fried cheese curds from West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop and post them on YouTube. In August of 2020, Instagram was born. Now I have a community with over 6,000 followers and help spread the word about local businesses in Wisconsin.
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?
It has been pretty hit or miss. Some weeks I have a lot going on, but then I can go weeks without anything happening. I have started to reach out to Destination Management Organizations for partnerships and have landed a few, but I have also gotten some “no’s.” The list of restaurants I want to visit is never ending, so sometimes it seems like an impossible task to help all of them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My full-time job is as a Human Resources Professional at an IT Company. My “side gig,” if you will, is creating content on social media. I focus on cheese dishes throughout Wisconsin. I highlight local establishments and towns to increase their business. I am most proud of the community that I have built. There are many of us. Many people have become my “friends,” even if we have never met. I am big on supporting locals, and I try not to associate myself with big names. I think that’s what sets me apart from other content creators.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Milwaukee has started content creator meetups, and I think if there are any in your area, you should attend them. It is always nice to get together with like-minded individuals to bounce ideas off each other. It helps to have people in the same space to relate to.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wisconsincheeseplease.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisconsincheeseplease/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisconsincheeseplease
