Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Niño
Isabella, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Isabella Niño, I’m 26 years old, and I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. My passion has always revolved around the kitchen, primarily with food—I love eating, and I enjoy it so much! I’m a foodie lover and a corporate girly!
Growing up, I’d rush home from school to indulge in Food Network shows, which fueled my love for cooking. This passion led me to start my Instagram, Drooling Goddess, where I showcased mouthwatering dishes from the restaurants I visited. My journey began in Chicago in 2018 while interning at an advertising agency, and I continued to share my culinary adventures throughout college. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
In my final semester, I dreamed of creating my own cookbook to help me land my dream job at Food Network, where I could cook and eat for a living! However, reality hit when I graduated in 2019, and I had to secure a job since my parents couldn’t support me financially. I moved to Dallas, TX, to work in corporate at AT&T, but the pandemic brought me back to Miami.
Even during this transition, I worked on my book idea and, in 2021, proudly released my cookbook, Food For All, now available on Amazon! I also launched my website, www.droolinggoddess.com, where I share recipes, restaurant recommendations, and engaging content.
This year, I’m excited to introduce UGC by Drooling Goddess, a service where I create authentic content for brands to showcase their products and services in a relatable way. Brands hire me to produce captivating content they can use across various marketing channels, ensuring their messages resonate with audiences.
Recently, I found myself in a phase of uncertainty regarding my next goal, but I’ve finally clarified my vision. Since Food Network doesn’t know me yet, I’ve decided to launch my own YouTube channel! Each season will feature episodes showcasing three delicious recipes, complete with immersive storytelling and the art of cooking on camera. Stay tuned for the upcoming Drooling Goddess YouTube Channel!
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but the journey has been rewarding. Starting out, I had to balance my passion for food with the practical need to find a stable job after graduating from college. I dreamed of getting a job at Food Network, but after college, I had to put those dreams on hold and move into the corporate world, working at AT&T in Dallas. That transition wasn’t easy because my true love has always been cooking and creating content around food.
Then the pandemic hit, and like many others, my life shifted again. I moved back to Miami, which, while challenging, gave me the opportunity to refocus on my passion. That’s when I finally published my cookbook Food For All, but even that came with its own challenges—balancing work, content creation, and managing all aspects of self-publishing a book.
Building Drooling Goddess and growing my brand required a lot of patience. It wasn’t just about cooking and sharing recipes—I had to build a social media presence, learn how to market myself, and deal with the uncertainty of not knowing if my content would gain traction. Financial limitations were another struggle. At times, I had to get creative with my resources and accept that building a brand takes time.
Throughout it all, I’ve stayed focused on my dream of working in food full-time, which has led me to soon launch my own YouTube channel to showcase my cooking. Even though the road has had its bumps, every challenge has brought me closer to the goal of building a life around my passion for food.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At ADP, I work as a district manager in sales, specializing in major accounts, where I focus on providing payroll and HR solutions to businesses. I’m known for building strong relationships with clients and delivering tailored solutions that help them manage their workforce more efficiently. My role involves everything from understanding client needs to implementing ADP’s services and ensuring they get the most out of our products.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to balance this fast-paced, corporate job while still pursuing my passion for food and content creation. It hasn’t been easy managing both worlds, but I’ve found a way to excel in both, which sets me apart. My ability to switch between the corporate and creative environments allows me to think outside the box and bring fresh perspectives to whatever I do.
What sets me apart is my approach to client relationships. I focus on being authentic and approachable, much like how I engage with my audience on Drooling Goddess. This authenticity is reflected in my ability to connect with people—whether it’s a business client or a follower of my cooking content. Being versatile in both areas has allowed me to build a strong personal and professional brand.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There have been so many people who have played a crucial role in my success, both personally and with Drooling Goddess. First and foremost, my family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders. They were there every step of the way during my cookbook crowdfunding campaign and launch event, providing not only emotional support but also practical help in making everything a reality. Their belief in me gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward, even when things got tough.
I also have to give credit to the people who have worked with me on growing Drooling Goddess. From collaborating on content creation to strategizing how to build a community, these teammates and supporters have been essential in helping me elevate the brand. The followers and community I’ve built on social media have been another huge source of encouragement. Their engagement, feedback, and loyalty throughout my process have been incredible—they’ve helped me grow and evolve by being there every step of the way.
In addition, while I haven’t had formal mentors in the traditional sense, I’ve learned so much from other creators and entrepreneurs in the food space. Watching how they’ve navigated their journeys has inspired me to keep going and explore new avenues. All of these individuals, from personal supporters to business collaborators, have contributed to where I am today.
Pricing:
- 39.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://droolinggoddess.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droolinggoddess/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@droolinggoddess4060?app=desktop
