Running a business as a couple, working with brands, and creating content for your audience.

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Welcome to episode 411 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Shanika Graham-White and Darnell White from Orchids + Sweet Tea about how they work together to run two businesses, partner with brands, and create content with their audience in mind.

Working with Brands and Knowing What Your Work is Worth

We’re really excited to share this week’s conversation with Shanika Graham-White and Darnell White. They’re the creators behind the food blog Orchids + Sweet Tea, and the production company, Brooklyn Sweet Tea Productions.

In this episode, you’ll hear all about the evolution of their businesses, how they negotiate with brands, and more about their experience as black creators in the food blogging space.

It’s a really inspiring episode with tons of actionable takeaways, and we can’t wait for you to give it a listen!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How and why Shanika and Darnell started Orchids + Sweet Tea, and why they decided to start a production company, too.
• How they made the leap from food photography to videography.
• Shanika’s workflow and equipment set-up for photography and shooting video.
• What the division of labor looks like between Shanika and Darnell.
• How Darnell’s background in programming translated to videography, and how he got started filming recipe videos.
• How Shanika determines and structures pricing when working with brands for sponsored content and/or video production.
• How they divide their time between their different businesses and goals.
• What advice Shanika and Darnell have for food bloggers wanting to start working with brands.
• How they navigated and persevered through the early stages of blogging, and how they found a balance between personalization and optimization.
• More about the experience of being black creators in the food and wellness space.
• How Shanika creates content with her audience in mind.
• What advice Shanika and Darnell would give to their past selves when they were just starting Orchids + Sweet Tea.

Resources:

• Orchids + Sweet Tea
• Brooklyn Sweet Tea Productions
• Orchids & Sweet Tea: Plant-Forward Recipes with Jamaican Flavor & Southern Charm
• The Guardian: Hungry Planet: What the World Eats - in pictures
• Parker Walbeck Productions
• Follow Shanika and Darnell on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
• Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group

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This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Learn how you can organize your blog content for maximum growth by going to clariti.com/food.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com.

Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership