Greetings from F52 HQ
4 Career (& Life!) Lessons We Learned at Our January Nobody Cares Event
Featuring Mike Chau, Becky Malinsky, and Luke Fortney.
On Tuesday night, we hosted our fifth Nobody Cares Speaker Series at the Food52 HQ. This time our CEO, Erika Ayers Badan, sat down with three panelists who have mastered the art of turning their passions into influence: Mike Chau (aka Foodbaby), Becky Malinsky(of the 5 Things You Should Buy Newsletter), and Luke Fortney, a former Eater NY editor. As guests dug into an spread from Poppy’s, Athletic Brewing’s Host & Toast, and Luckybird Cakes, the conversation pulled back the curtain on each panelist's journey to online stardom, revealing how they’ve transformed their personal interests into thriving careers.
While we took away countless insights from the night, here are four foods for thought that stuck with us:
Yes, You Can Turn Your Passion Into a Business
A golden rule from all three panelists: Do what you love, and stay authentic. If they wouldn’t eat it or wear it, they won’t share it. Mike said that he’s turned down major fast-food collaborations simply because they don’t align with his lifestyle. “My family doesn’t eat that on a regular basis, so I don’t want to do my viewers an injustice by alluding that we do,” he said. Becky echoed the sentiment: “Stay true to yourself and your audience. That way, what you love is never sacrificed in the name of business.”
Be Someone Who People Like
Becky, Mike, and Luke all accredit their current success to the relationships they’ve cultivated along the way. “Do people like you or do they like the place you work for?” is a question Becky found herself reflecting on after parting from the Wall Street Journal and Vogue to pursue a freelance career. Networking isn’t about transactional gains—it’s about genuine bonds that outlast job titles.
There’s Enough to Go Around
If you’re worried that your voice will get lost in a sea of Substacks, the panelists said don’t. For example, Luke isn’t concerned about competing with other food writers—New York City alone has nearly 50,000 restaurants for them all to explore. “There are so many stories to be told,” he said. Becky added: “A good story will always have a home.” Their advice? Create the Substack. Post the TikTok. Share your thoughts, even if no one is seeing them—yet. “Safety nets are gone. The recognizable jobs are nonexistent,” Becky pointed out. The media landscape is shifting, but there’s always room for fresh voices, including yours.
Mistakes Make Us Human
In a world increasingly run by algorithms, human error is a feature, not a bug. Becky shared that one of her readers actually appreciated a small typo in her 5 Things newsletter—it was proof it wasn’t written by AI. “Unexpected humanness will always be valued,” she said. Imperfections aren’t flaws; they’re proof of an irreplaceable voice. Own them.
Which takeaway resonated most with you? Let us know in the comments and join us for our next panel with Dr. Jody Carrington on February 25th!
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