45 Million Views: Hiromi Okuyama's Path to Clubhouse Icon

Michael Dugan: 0:52

I want to introduce Hiromi. She's an actress, a martial artist, fifth degree black belt, a content creator, a moderator all over clubhouse. And the bulk of her acting work is in commercials. With over 30 years of experience in the industry. She's acted in television shows film stage. And for content creation Hiromi main social media platforms tick tock, as many of you know, where she has over 180,000 supporters, and over 40 million views with the hashtag of Hiromacts. She creates fun mom acting challenges. And I'm a fan by the way, I listen. And I watch all the time. And she's thankful for so many followers from around the world who do acting scenes with her. You can hear her frequently as a co host and moderator as you know, as many of you know, and on panels on clubhouse, and a variety of topics. She's also my friend, and a friend is so many people on clubhouse, and I am honored to have her here today. Welcome Hiromi.

Hiromi: 1:56

Thank you so much, Michael, thank you so much.

Michael Dugan: 1:59

So where did it all start for you? I know that you're connected to food as religion, but you're also connected a clubhouse in many different houses. But as far as food is religion, when you were growing up at an early age, what connection did you have to food?

Hiromi: 2:14

Oh, that's such an interesting question. And I actually wrote an article about this. So my dad is from Japan, which is why I have a very Japanese sounding name. And my mom is actually Chinese. She's from Hong Kong. So I'm so blessed to have both cultures in my life. I was born. I'm born in Canada, and I grew up in Canada. I've lived in Canada most of my life. But the funny thing is, um, you know, a lot of people grew up with their moms or their grandparents cooking in the kitchen, and then they have this big elaborate meal. That wasn't me. My mom was a single mom, very early when we were super young. We ate a lot of takeout. And she admits she's the first person to admit that she does not cook. She doesn't like cooking. We had the best times on the weekends, where we would go to all these different restaurants all over Toronto, and Toronto has amazing restaurants, especially Chinese restaurants. And my mom knows how she doesn't know how to cook, but she knows how to order. So we would go to like the mom and pop shops, noodle shops, the wonton shops, we would go dimsum at least sometimes we go fancy and go to Red Lobster for lunch. And we used to love Harvey's like we just went everywhere. And we would like order takeout and keep it in our fridge. And we would like my sister and I would eat that like at during the week. We were latchkey kids as well. So yeah, it wasn't, we didn't have the conventional kind of growing up that other kids have. But I really cherish eating out. And I think that's why I love going to restaurants and eating out a lot. So I'm not a good cook. But I think food connects us in so many different ways. And we can appreciate food in so many different ways.

Michael Dugan: 4:01

You know, it's interesting to so I haven't shared this with you, I don't think but I'll share this with you and all of our listeners, my wife hates to cook when we got married. I mean, I would do a lot of cooking. She's a really good cook. But she doesn't like it because she didn't grow up enjoying it. And there's an episode in fact, our very first episode on voice for chefs. It's called stay hungry. It's 16 minutes, I think. And it took me four hours to edit it because I was brand new to podcasting. It's the story of why she hates to cook. And it's called stay hungry. And so her favorite thing to cook is reservations. And she always says that and always makes me laugh. I like to cook I like to cook lots of different things because I went to cooking school, but it's really not necessarily about cooking. It's about enjoying food. And you've definitely enjoy food. And there's always a connection to that, right. People need to recognize some people just eat to eat, we need to eat to enjoy, you know, and that's what Food is Religion is about is really enjoying food. And when people come to the rooms or our house, you know, they they get to experience that with the moderators from all over the world like yourself. So, can you tell us a little bit about growing up and kind of what shaped you into a social media influencer? In other words, when when you started out? What did you want to do as a kid? And then kind of take us a little bit through your background? Oh,

Hiromi: 5:29

yes. Okay. So when I was younger, I always was fascinated with performing. I don't know why it was always a big fascination for me. Also being a latchkey kid, my sister and I watched a lot of TV. We love a lot of TV so I was always into all the TV shows I loved so poppers to and I don't know, I just love TV. I love watching actors on TV. And, and I always thought, oh, that's something that I've always thought I would that was my dream is to perform. And I but I was really shy. And you know, like most actors I was also like, picked on when I was a kid. Because you know, there wasn't a lot of people or kids that kind of looked like me. Yeah, so I had to deal with that as well. But then I remember one specific moment in my life in when I was in grade six, I think in America, you say sixth grade, but I was in grade six. And they're encouraging us to do speech arts. So I said, Okay, I'm gonna write this speech. And I was this very shy, awkward kid, I was always emotional crying. And I thought, What am I going to write a speech on? And I said, Wait a second, I'm such an emotional kid, why don't I do something on feelings. So I did this speech on feelings. I started off the speech crying, and everybody thought I was crying. And then I went into like, happy, mad, you know, every emotion. And that speech did so well. That my teacher and the principal had me go into competitions, and had me do that speech over and over again, but then it made me realize this is what I love to do. And then when I got into high school, you know, I started doing more acting, and then University, took some courses. And then after university is when I really went into, into like, auditioning and stuff. So I had been a commercial actress for 30 years. And being a commercial actress, really, I think, made me realize how much I love social media, then social media came became popular. And then that's how I really started I did because I've always been a social person. And even when I was reading my like high school records, or like, heard me talk so much in class probably socializes too much in class. And I

Michael Dugan: 7:53

think that's such a gift. Come on, that is such a gift to me.

Hiromi: 7:58

I know, but I feel bad for my teachers. Like, I'm like, Ah, I was too much of a troublemaker. But it was nice, because then now, like, you know, that kind of led me to the path now being, you know, very social and, and talking to everybody and getting to know everybody's stories. So yeah.

Michael Dugan: 8:14

I love that. I love that. Can you describe a little bit about kind of your, your first entrance into social media and what that looked like, like, for me, you know, it was I was completely clueless. I mean, I had friends on Facebook and things like that. And I started an Instagram and I didn't really understand very much, right. And then I got I got better at it as I went along. But, but how did that all start for you?

Hiromi: 8:43

Yeah, so yeah, of course. We started on Facebook, too. Back in the day. And then I remember, I was on Facebook. And then I really liked Twitter back in the day when it first started. I was like, Whoa, it was Twitter was incredible. And then I got onto Instagram. What really got me exposed to social media was, and I don't know if a lot of people know this about me. I used to write for an unofficial Walt Disney World law. And because

Michael Dugan: 9:14

Oh, my gosh, that's amazing. I couldn't believe it. Because your energy and your passion is very connected to that.

Hiromi: 9:24

Yeah, no, I just love Well, I remember we went on a Walt Disney World trip and I was blown away by the whole by Disney World. And then I just submitted an article and I'm still friends with the owner of this blog. She sold it, but she's a she's a mass communication major as well. And so I remember I submitted an article and she liked my writing she like she told me to be a writer and I started to get the blogging world especially back then with Disney was huge. There's their Disney had this Disney moms program, it was just big. And it was so great. I got to learn a lot about social media, through being in this blogger kind of community. And so I learned about how to, you know, be on Instagram, how to tweet and I just learned a lot being around really amazing social media people in the Disney kind of world. Pun intended. And so yeah, and that's how I started getting into it. And funny thing is, it did lead to food. Because I was I got pregnant with my son over the over the years. And then my son, I think many of you, you know, has severe multiple anaphylactic allergies. He's allergic to dairy, wheat, egg and sesame and so we can't eat anywhere. Except Disneyworld. He is He eats like a normal kid. I don't know how it is now but back then. It's incredible. Like he can eat it. any fat almost any fast food restaurant we just we do have to talk to a chef or the manager first. We go to any restaurants, the chef comes out takes our order I wrote about that too. So it always leads back to booth posted a lot about it and, and I met a lot of really great foodies like Disney World foodie foodie. So in the allergy community as well, it's just it was really incredible. So yeah, it always relates back to food. And so that's how I got into it. And then yeah, we can talk about tick tock too, if you'd like, Oh,

Michael Dugan: 11:22

definitely. But I'm just trying to, for everyone that knows you, they may know these stories, but for people that don't try to shape this, you know, shape Hermes life a little bit so that we can kind of walk through and, and learn about your journey. So you know, as as you were growing up, you just kind of connected to social media. And then you combined acting and social media, which is really powerful. I also know that you're very passionate and very good at improv, my wife is is really into improv and she started out kind of as an introvert. And then she started taking improv classes and oh my gosh, she blossomed and became so confident. Also, we've talked before about Toastmasters. I'm I'm a big advocate for that, probably eight years now. But it's public speaking leadership. And we, my wife and I both to Toastmasters and really strengthened our social skills, I would say, Well, I'm more of an ambivert, which is an extrovert introvert, and she's more of an introvert. It's amazing what these things can really do, you know, to help you get over impostor syndrome to get over fears of public speaking. And those challenges. And I know that you've conquered that, probably through improv, and probably through acting, but want to talk a little bit about that.

Hiromi: 12:40

Actually, that's so amazing that your wife did improv classes and learning improv because I did get a scholarship for one year at the Second City Training Center. Back in 2000. They had this it was a diversity scholarship. They were trying to get more bipoc craters into the into the second city programs. And so I auditioned. And yeah, I got it. And I was able to do a full year of courses. So that's interesting that you mentioned improv and improv is I suggest improv for everybody. Because it can work in so many ways. Whether you know, you're on social short form video, whether you're live, whether you're on social audio, like I see Mimi Langley there the social audio queen, like just being on your feet and quick, it just helps you to think quickly. And shift quickly. And, and the Yes, ad it's all about welcoming and saying yes to and and I'm sure your wife knows the Yes. And as well, right.

Michael Dugan: 13:40

Oh, and I know it too. Yep. I learned it from her. It's pretty powerful. It's like breaking down barriers. For everything. Life relationships work. Yeah, I just think it's really powerful. Well, you know, what's amazing to me, Hiromi is that you're involved in so many things. You're a black belt in karate, karate school, clubhouse, social media, and an amazing mom, like, how do you have time for all this? How do you balance?

Hiromi: 14:08

Oh, one of my friends, he's a doctor. He says, It's like we have spinning plates. I was when he did this analogy. I'm like, Oh my gosh, that is my life. You know, a lot of people say, you know, try and delete something so that you can slow down, but I love everything I do. So I can't deliver. Right. So I you know, everything that I'm involved with, that you mentioned, I just love so much and I'm passionate about so it's hard, I do have to be more intentional and be mindful of my time. And I do have to have to like, shut down my social media, when I'm what and just focus on my son when I'm with him.

Michael Dugan: 14:54

I actually think you're really good at it. Because I see all the things that you do. You know, I'm a big fan. Like I said, since I since I've met you, I've been following you and I'm just amazed at all the things that you can. It's just amazing to me that you're involved in so many different things, you know, and and also that you would make the time for this, you know, that means a lot to me and to food, his religion, I think because this is an amazing story that needs to be told about you. And and I'm just honored that that you're here doing this with me. So as we go along, in your journey what is it that where you came to a point where you started to get noticed on social media, like where was that transition? You know, you're on Facebook and and you're on Twitter and now you're just kind of coming into your own Only then all of a sudden, I'm sure something happened. Can you describe that for us?

Hiromi: 15:58

Yes. So I was on Twitter for what I didn't like have a lot of followers but I was gaining like, you know, attention, especially with my I really liked Twitter back in the day. And then Instagram, it was more. Like before when I was an Instagram was more just showing my everyday life family some Disney stuff thrown in. It was Tik Tok, that really I saw how potential and huge that someone can grow. Tick tock, so many people grew so fast, I actually didn't grow really fast. My dad's account grew fast. When we started, mine grew much later and their strategies. I talked to Jonathan, he's in the audience, we talk about strategies as well, about that. So yeah, I didn't grow for until a year later, but it was tick tock that. I was like, wow. And because of tick tock, other platforms, kind of, I don't want to say copied, but they kind of emulated a lot of their formula. And then people start started growing on like, you know, tick on Instagram and utilizing YouTube. Like it just really expanded people's visibility. And the way people can monetize the way people can build communities. It's just tick tock was really, I don't know how to say it. It was, it was I just love the app so much, even though there's been a lot of changes. And you know, there's good and the bad. I just think it was phenomenal for giving so much visibility and exposure for so many people.

Michael Dugan: 17:33

You continue to have an amazing following 40,000 views that that's just incredible to me. Think why don't you share a little bit about your father, sir, but he knows I was fascinated when I learned about your father, but I know you help him with his social media. You're probably his coach.

Hiromi: 17:50

Yes. So I do run all of his socials. And I do teach. Oh, my God. I mind you. Yeah, do teach for him.

Michael Dugan: 17:59

Just another layer of Hiromi here, just another amazing layer.

Hiromi: 18:03

Oh, luckily, you know what's good, though, Michael, because social media you can do anywhere, right? So it's good because I get to stay home and do the socials for myself. And for my dad, you know, I don't have to, like go into an office or, you know, go somewhere to work. Like it's been really nice to do a lot of stuff that I can do from home. So that's the good thing about that. So my father is a karate master. He's one of non my words. He's one of the highest ranking masters in the world. And wow, yeah. And he teaches everywhere around the world. And he teaches people in the military. He has the key to the city of Cali, Colombia. And he's gotten so many different awards across the world. I learned from him, and I teach for him as well. And so yeah, he's just started his social media. I started hits tick tock, his Instagram. So that's what I've been doing with him.

Michael Dugan: 18:57

Let's get some hearts for homies. Let's see him. I see a couple of them here. You got a huge heart for for your father for me. And here's why. Because as a kid, I took karate and actually remember, with my best friend, he kicked me in the face. We still stayed friends, but you know, we were sparring fighting, but my Aunt Judy owns a karate studio in Florida. And she I think is a third degree black belt. You're a fifth degree black belt is that right? Yes, I am. Wow, that is phenomenal. Like how long does it take to be a fifth degree black belt?

Hiromi: 19:34

Yes. So a lot of people kind of question whether why I'm a fifth degree black belt because I know. I do. I admit I do look younger than I am. But most degree black belts are my age. I'm 50. Like, so I just turned 50 in September. Well, this a few weeks ago.

Michael Dugan: 19:54

My birthday is in september two I knew that's one of the reasons I loved you is September I mean? Yeah, yeah. Wow.

Hiromi: 20:04

Happy belated birthday.

Michael Dugan: 20:05

No, thank you. Yeah, it was it was last week. I was actually sick. So but I'm better now. So yeah, that's so amazing. fifth degree black belt is you know that that's really incredible. I think I got an orange belt. But I was a kid. Anyone who has achieved a black belt. That's a huge, huge honor. So congratulations. Oh my gosh, wow. That's just incredible about your dad. Like I just I was shocked It shocked to hear that and then you manage all the social media. You manage your own social media you have kids and and challenges around raising your kids also clubhouse. Let's talk a little bit about clubhouse now. So you've been a moderator probably for since the beginning. When did when did you start in clubhouse was it in the beginning and how did that happen?

Hiromi: 20:52

Yes, I started clubhouse in January 2021. So very early. And I actually, I'm so thankful for so many friends that I've met on clubhouse. I actually became a moderator quite early, like probably a month. Wow. Yeah, it was. And I you know, I made some mistakes along the way. But I had so many great mentors back then. And

Michael Dugan: 21:18

anyone you want to shout out to that was one of my questions for later on, but we might as well hit it now.

Hiromi: 21:22

Yeah, so back then Argentina Beltran. Hopefully she's She's incredible. She really helped me and she got me on stage. I don't know there's so many people and I used to do a regular room every week with my friend Mike. Tell Placido. He's not on propose, but he has his own on his podcast. I was also on Argentina's podcast, everybody's podcasters tube and yet yeah. And my friend, Masami. He does strong Asian lead. He had me as a moderator and also the Asian professionals. My friend, Keith qu, and Joseph. Yeah, all of them really helped me gain confidence as being moderators on stage early in the days. And then I also love Mimi Lang Lee's rooms. Oh, yeah. Also, I

Michael Dugan: 22:05

learned some of them. Me, me. Wow. Yeah. Shout out to me right here. She's straight here with a shout out to you Mimi.

Hiromi: 22:12

Yeah, and I learned so much from her. And also my friend Katie Mason. She hasn't been on clubhouse for a while. But yeah, you know, it was incredible being in rooms with her too. So yeah, so many great people that I learned from

Michael Dugan: 22:25

as we talk about clubhouse. How did you come into food as religion? When When did that happen? Can you share a little bit about that? I

Hiromi: 22:34

would see chef Mimi's rooms before she created food is religion. I would see her everywhere. And also because there were a lot of Asian rooms that were huge back in the early clubhouse days and never Asian rooms about everything. Asian professionals, Asian food rooms, just a lot of really great Asian rooms and also some really sad ones. Because at that time, there was a lot of well, there still is the stop Asian hate movement. And yeah, so there was a big community of, of Asians trying to, and also the Atlanta shootings happened at that time. And I remember being on stage with Lisa laying, I was like, Oh my gosh, and we were talking about, I didn't talk when she was talking because I was so nervous. But wow, is talking about it. And so many Asians got together on club posts back in the day. And so chef Mimi would be in those rooms as well. And I'm like, Oh, my gosh, Chef me, me. And so we started getting to know each other. She started asking me to join her rooms and be a moderator in her room. I'm like, oh, but I'm not a chef. But she was so gracious to, to have me in different rooms, especially rooms about food that I know well like, like, I know Chinese food well, even though they know how to cook it so or other like I remember just different rooms, she'll have me moderate, even if I didn't know it. Well, at least I can move along with the discussion, like help with the discussion. So yeah. And then when she created food as religion, that's when she asked me to be one of their moderators, we used to do a social media room every

Michael Dugan: 24:09

week, you know, you've been so involved in in clubhouse and helping in so many different ways I've followed you, I can't always be in the rooms. But I know what's going on. And one of the most amazing things about you Hiromi is that you give back so much and your friends are here right now. And one thing they may not know is that you know you've been a huge advocate for food as religion, you've brought so much visibility to this club. We're so grateful for that. I'm an officer in the club. So one of the reasons I really wanted to interview you is to honor you and to say thank you for that because you're a voice for food as religion and you know, we're we're so grateful that for that TIFF. Mimi's not here right now. I know if she was here, she would jump in immediately and all the officers would as well as you went along in your clubhouse journey. Then all the sudden you became a clubhouse icon. And I was thrilled I was jumping up and down when I heard about it. I couldn't believe it. I was like, wow, so well deserved and so amazing. But how did that feel? Can you share a little bit with everyone about the

Hiromi: 25:13

Clubhouse icon was not even in my house? Yeah, I never have dreamed to have been a clubhouse icon. Like, I know that people are gonna say how am I gonna say that? Oh, would not even think I was worthy enough to be an icon I that was not in my head at all. So to say I was shocked like, I was shocked. Yeah, yeah, it wasn't. I just love. I love the app so much. And I was one of the second phase or third phase to get hosts early, and just being around all the beta testers back in the day it was. It was so amazing. And I remember doing rooms every almost every day back in the day to just just being on clubhouse daily. Do you want me to tell you the story of how everything happened?

Michael Dugan: 26:05

Of course, I think everyone does. Let's see some hearts. I mean, I think everyone's dying to know. I know I am for sure.

Hiromi: 26:13

Yeah. So I was, it was in December. And, you know, we because of the being a beta tester for the host features. I started, you know, I got to know Joe Erminia, the head of community on clubhouse. And then one day, Joe messaged Lalo, and Emery my lady Hustler, all of you know, though, yeah. And he's, he said, Guys, we need to have a meeting about something. And I'm like, okay, and it was like, right before another big meeting with other people. So I thought maybe Joe wanted to run some new features or talk about a new product. Like I just thought that and that's what the other remind law they thought that too. So when he got us into a room to have a meeting, a private club, host room, then that's when he said, Oh, just wanted to let you know that we are, you know, you're the next icon. And I was like, what? I was so shocked. And we did have to keep it a secret for about a month. They did the photo shoot in Toronto. So I did not have to do go anywhere. Lolo and Rima got flown to Toronto, and yeah, it was so fun. I got I stayed over. We're in Remus Hotel. So they had hotel for LA alone. And they had a hotel for remind. And I stayed over the day of the shoot. Cool. Yeah, it was really nice. It was one of the most memorable times in my life. It was so fun. And we had a really famous photographer, and he's the one that took my profile photo right now Ted Belton.

Michael Dugan: 27:50

A beautiful photo that really expresses your emotion to it. When I look at it. I think you just became a clubhouse icon and you're glowing. And it's just awesome.

Hiromi: 28:03

And oh, yeah, he Ted Belton is incredible. If you see his Instagram he's hot. Like, I couldn't believe I was being photographed by him. So yeah, it was really nice. To experience to have that experience.

Michael Dugan: 28:20

Wow, you painted an amazing picture. There's so much energy in this room, even though it's virtual, you know, I can just I can just feel it. So as we go along, now, now, you're a clubhouse icon? What did any doors open because of that? Did any new opportunities come about new direction because of that?

Hiromi: 28:42

I wouldn't say new doors. I think it's, it does feel good that you can kind of put it on your resume. And just, you know, visibility. One thing I I didn't expect was, I know people who will probably say that oh, but I didn't expect all the love and thing and station. It was really beautiful. and whatnot while I was icon. I don't know, I guess this is how like Miss America feels like you have you go to all these different events and put on different events while you're icon. And I had a lot of different communities reach out to me to interview me. And that was really special, like being interviewed in different different communities. And and yeah, it was, it was very, I was very touched by that they wanted to know about me. And and yeah, and me being an icon. So that was really touching.

Michael Dugan: 29:42

So as far as clubhouse goes, that that is an incredible journey. Is there anything new coming up for you in clubhouse? Anything that you want to do or you want to talk about?

Hiromi: 29:52

In terms of clubhouse? I really, I really liked the asynchronous chats that they have. I think it's I first you know, like everybody else. I was just wondering, okay, what are they? where's this going? What are they going to do? I was just thinking that, and then I, when I started seeing everybody else the way they're using, I'm like, wow, and I love how you can just jump on and listen any time. I like that. But I do love the live rooms too. So I hope they're able to find a balance to make everybody happy and everybody thrive. But

Michael Dugan: 30:29

feel like if I want to ask it, other people want to know too. How do you film if you're just filming with an iPhone? What kind of equipment do you use? Do you have somebody that's helping you? Because I feel like you do. I'm curious as you're filming? How do you do them?

Hiromi: 30:52

One The thing I love about short form video content, and Jonathan will agree with me is you can do everything on your own. That's what I love about doing short form videos. Or even I can go into long form video in the future. But yes, everything is on my phone. I have a ring light. I know some people really don't use realize, but I do I love my ring light. It makes me look more. I don't know fresh. I do like using natural lighting to what I have it. Yeah, but everything is is on my phone. I film everything in the palm of my hand attached to the ring. Wow, quality's good. Yeah, I don't really have external people helping me I edit everything on my phone.

Michael Dugan: 31:41

Yeah, that's incredible. Because it feels like you have a second person, you give that illusion. And that's really amazing. Because I think it's hard to do all of it at once or Ami. And again, you know, you're great at multitasking. So, but we all have to remember that there's a balance right? I have to learn that myself. So we've got a little bit of behind the scenes with tick tock. What? What is it? Can you share any tips or best practices for moderating tick tock and social media, like how do you engage with your audience?

Hiromi: 32:17

Well, posting consistently is first. So you have the visibility. So I do try my best to post every day for my father's account, because there's a more there's an educational element. And I have to be very careful of how I write things. I have to make sure after research that I'm seeing the translating everything correctly. So my father's is it probably every two or two or three days. He has a lot of views on Instagram, actually. He's doing super well on Instagram, and his Tik Tok is it builds builds really well. For my content. I do try my best to post every day. And then with engagement, the comment section is gold. You know, I actually my last video my most popular video to date right now that's building momentum momentum. Sorry, is is that now at 1.7 million views. And the comments section at over I think I haven't checked yet in the past this morning, but I think it's at 1700 comments and oh my goodness, but I do read all of them. And I like all the ones I like all of the comments unless I saw

Michael Dugan: 33:36

you posted that you do you engage with every single one of them.

Hiromi: 33:41

So I'll like it so they know overall me read this comment and yes, on Tik Tok, which I hope they'll have an Instagram soon. You can favorite a comment. So it goes into a favorite category that's private only for you to see. And so I favorite a lot of comments. And so that I will use those comments to make a video in the future. And I usually give a shout out to those people or you can do a required a video with a comment. So that kind of gives them a shout out to so a lot of inspiration I get from their badass she actually inspired me to do a few and even to both of them. Oh, awesome. You especially Gen Z slang. So I just like a lot of my friends and supporters that you know going even going live. That's a great way to community build Ethan goes live a lot. That's an incredible way. And Danny, she's one of my moderators on my lives. You know, we go live said to. So yeah, just so many supporters that I really, you know, and those are the ways that you build engagement, build visibility, build community. So yeah, going live engaging in your comment section, commenting on other other other people's posts. I learned that a lot from Chef Jensen. He mentioned that when I actually

Michael Dugan: 35:02

love Chef Jensen.

Hiromi: 35:05

I'm Food is Religion. So I'm engaging with other content and that's I do that a lot on Instagram. And that gives you visibility as well. Yes.

Michael Dugan: 35:16

All right. So I have to share this little tidbit really quick. Chef Mimi introduced me to Chef Jenson from Best Served podcast. He has an incredible podcast that's really real about the restaurant business. And I asked him to do an interview on my podcast. The day I asked him to do the interview, there was a windstorm. So I had to cancel with him and he was super busy and he was so gracious that next week we did the interview together and it was incredible depths of because it's so real and so down to earth and really connects to the hospitality industry. It's really honest. And God I just loved it. So Doing this with you is amazing. Doing this with him was amazing. And again, that's why I became a podcaster. It's really cool to hear a shout out for sentencing. What about when we look at, you know, strategies for social media, because you've been a moderator for so long and food is religion, let's focus it on food influencers, food bloggers, people that are learning to grow their presence on social media. Do you have any special advice for them?

Hiromi: 36:20

You know, what's funny is I, I talked to other content creators as well, whenever you mentioned food, even if your content is not about food, like the philosophy of food is religion. It just brings everybody together. I remember going live almost every week, and Danny would attest to this, what's your favorite cake? And then we'd have all these and then the next week would be what's your favorite topping on your pizza?

Michael Dugan: 36:44

So any other tips for food bloggers, food influencers? Good? podcasters

Hiromi: 36:51

Being on top of food trends, watching other people and seeing what other content creators don't copy them, but or if you do, always give them a shout out. So I get a lot of like new food trends that I see on tick tock that I'm going to draw. So that's always fun. Also, learning from other food chefs like there's a chef. There's two chef Monica's in food is religion. There's, there's two. One of them is is really big on tick tock, and she always teaches us about lighting. She says she talks about and she does a voiceover I just love if you want to watch how to master being a chef on Tik Tok go to her account. She's incredible. She's an American. Yeah, she's She's incredible. And yeah, just having really good lighting especially when you're showcasing food that's really important. Telling your story with your with your food or your recipes. I often even though I'm not a chef by telling a story about my about what food is is is important to me. So I'll give an example. My most recent food food one is the peeling grapes one well actually did a watermelon one too, but I feel grapes and I saw the watermelon one. Yeah, yeah, eating watermelon with chopsticks. But you know, I I culture like eating with chopsticks. I also use the Chinese word for grandmother Cantonese. And in my comment section, I had a lot of supporters who were saying, oh my goodness, did you just say Papa? Oh, I never hear anyone say Papa. Like it's the way it's grandmother in Cantonese. So that was a way to incorporate my culture with the food. And so I tried to do that which brings awareness so you can always Thai food. You know? Yeah, Thai food with anything related to your content like and people eat or people just like watching where what you're eating. So it's kind of interesting how food just ties everybody together. So as

Michael Dugan: 38:53

you went along in social media, are there any standout moments or experience that you've had that you'd like to share?

Hiromi: 39:00

Okay, there's so many. Okay, I'll say for clubhouse. There were so many rooms, so many special rooms that I've done on clubhouse, but I think the most special one, I have to say was one I did with He's a former clubhouse employee, Crisco alo him and I it was like, many months in the working in the making, but we interviewed Paul young son Lee. He plays APA on kids convenience. And he's also in the Mandalorian. But yes, he's in so many. He's an incredible actor. That interview was oh, that was one of my favorite interviews to do. Also, I was so honored to be interviewed by Mohit he's, he's a clubhouse icon himself. He was he wasn't an official icon, but he's a clubhouse superstar. So that was really cool to be interviewed by him because yeah, so many great moments. As for tick tock, just, I think my the first video that went viral, that was kind of one of the biggest kind of moments in my life that was really special. And just going I don't know, just there's so many videos and so many amazing moments that I had. Oh, and meeting a lot of people in real life that that's very special from people I met on social media like meeting. Well, let alone Rhema Oh, and then a group of Asian moms, they're, they're really big on to talk. And they met in Toronto, and I'm one of them. I'm posting she called me out to meet them. And so I went to hang out with him. That was so fun. Last year, and yeah, just meeting people in real life. From from clubhouse or Tik Tok, or, you know, Instagram. That's one of the best things. You know, you already have this connection with them. And then when you meet in real life, it's like you said get so excited.

Michael Dugan: 40:51

I keep talking to stuff Mimi. I really want to meet her. And we've had a couple misses where we we would have connected and,

Hiromi: 40:58

and my message to everybody. Oh, it's yeah, just to really love yourself and I just try to be grateful and thankful every day for even, like just sitting outside of my backyard having this on my face, I just want to be thankful for that and always be thankful for everything.

Michael Dugan: 41:18

I know that a lot of these people are your friends and supporters. And I think it's just awesome that that everyone is here. I'm just really excited that we had a chance to do this, and you are an amazing human being. And the last question I have for you. There's one more I thought about this a lot. You've grown tremendously on social media. How do you stay so authentic and humble? Because I didn't want to say that in the beginning. And then once you get choked up, everyone I've met that knows you says that. I've experienced it. You're a great friend, you're a great supporter, you've been in my rooms, you came to celebrations that I had and supported me. But how do you stay so authentic, and humble?

Hiromi: 41:59

I really am an advocate for therapy. So try and get therapy as early as you can. The second thing is, I wish I could go back into time and change a lot of things but I can't We can't do that. So the only thing to do is to do better for the future. And I think that's what is that helps me stay grounded and helps me humility. Yeah. And helps me to be who I am and true to who true to who I am.

Michael Dugan: 42:26

That is fantastic for me. And I just want to leave everyone with that thought because I was dying to ask that question. Thank you, everybody. Goodbye, everyone.