Stop Letting People Play in Your Face: Knowing Your Worth with Alex Hill

Summary

She's So Lucky
Episode: Stop Letting People Play in Your Face: Knowing Your Worth with Alex Hill
Date: March 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features Les Alfred in conversation with Alex Hill, the creator of "Just Add Hot Sauce." The discussion centers on entrepreneurship, personal branding, self-worth, and building a business by betting on yourself. Alex shares her unconventional journey from PR to food content creator, the realities of solopreneurship, and the struggles and rewards of being vulnerable online. The conversation is rich with lessons about betting on yourself, knowing when to say no, and envisioning a sustainable future beyond the algorithms and constant hustle.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alex’s Path: From PR to Food Creator

• Educational and Career Background

  • Alex studied PR and marketing at Hampton University, initially envisioning a career as a publicist in NYC. However, her love of food persisted throughout her life.
  • (03:00) “I was going to be a publicist. I’m going to be like, fantastic. But I just loved food... I kept going to culinary school open houses. And every time... it’s going to cost you $40,000. And I was like, don’t have that.”

• Early Hustle and DIY Ethos

  • Unable to afford culinary school, Alex became self-taught through “YouTube university” and magazines, starting a food blog in 2017 despite its humble beginnings.
  • (04:15) “It's still up, but it’s, like, not active... grainy pictures... But I was like, I just want to put my passion and you got to start somewhere.”

2. Betting on Yourself and Taking the Leap

• Balancing Corporate Work and Passion

  • Working at a Black-owned agency during BLM’s corporate surge was rewarding but exhausting. She reached a breaking point juggling content creation and agency work.
  • (05:12) "So we were juggling so many things... I can't do this... And I started crying, like, fetal position for like an hour... And after that, I was like, I'm going to quit."

• Building a Safety Net & Timing the Exit

  • Alex saved $25,000 before quitting, taking every partnership offered, even small ones, to build her cushion.
  • (06:48) “I’m scared. I took every partnership that offered it to me, even if it was like 200, I was like, that's going to build towards my savings... I’m terrified.”

• Navigating Fear & Opportunity

  • (07:12) “I was on the train and the train was moving fast and I was like, if I don't stay on this train, it's going to pass me. So I was like, I just need to take this leap of faith and it’s paid off.”

3. Learning to Run a Business

• Business Acumen & Team Building

  • It took years for Alex to get comfortable with the business side of her brand—taxes, budgeting, writing invoices, and eventually hiring a manager.
  • (09:12) “You can't be the creative and the talent and also invoice. Because I was doing that for a really long time.”

• Letting Go of Scarcity Mindset

  • With time, Alex learned to delegate and say no: “I was in a scarcity mindset... Now, she’s like, no, we can push back. Like, your following has grown.”

• Choosing Collaborators Who Get Your Vision

  • (10:46) "My goal has always been a cookbook... The manager I have now has worked with a lot of creators that got cookbooks. And I was like, I want to talk to her.”

4. Creating Beyond the Internet

• Cookbook Journey

  • Alex lands a cookbook deal after persistent effort—proposal, rejections, and networking. The book process is slow and demanding.
  • (16:42) “I got the book deal in May... Then it takes forever... I’m a Taurus. I’m very impatient.”

• Multi-Platform Presence

  • Alex focuses on Instagram and Substack, using Substack as a creative outlet and income stream, intentionally avoiding TikTok for mental health reasons.
  • (18:07) “I don’t think you need to be on every platform... My girls are on Instagram.”

• Long-Term Vision: Offline & Sustainable Success

  • She aims to transition from 'always online' to more sustainable, analog pursuits—books, maybe a coffee shop, and connecting with her community in-person.
  • (23:36) “I hope in the next three years, I would hope to have my coffee shop and a New York Times bestselling author.”

5. Boundaries, Community, and Vulnerability

• The Importance of IRL Connection

  • Alex wants to foster community through live events and cooking classes, deepening the bond beyond DMs and comments.
  • (29:17) “I want to meet you guys in person... because community, for me, is the through line of everything I do.”

• Highlight: Food as Heartbeat of Community

  • (30:13, Alex Hill) “If you think about it, bad days, we’re having margaritas and tacos. Good days, we’re having margaritas and tacos.”

• Setting Boundaries as a Personal Brand

  • The challenges of audience access, DMs, and being perceived as “the product.”
  • (42:36) “I’m working on my boundaries... I am very tapped in with my community. Like, I respond to every DM... but it gets a lot.”

6. Handling Rejection, Jealousy, and Comparison

• Rejection as Protection

  • (51:52) “Rejection is protection. Truly.”
  • Alex’s lucky moment was being introduced to her literary agent, an outcome of openness and asking for help.

• Comparison & Social Media Metrics

  • The pressure of follower counts, missed partnerships, and jealousy are openly discussed.
  • (47:10, Alex) “I just broke 100k. And there has been some of my peers... that have surpassed it easily. And you start to compare. You’re like, well, what am I doing wrong?”

• Staying Present and Celebrating Small Wins

  • (48:22) “But imagine if a thousand people walked up to you... That’s crazy.”

• Knowing When to Say No

  • Alex emphasizes the importance of gut instincts and not people-pleasing—choosing opportunities aligned with your vision.
  • (38:11) “It’s okay to say no. I am a recovering people pleaser... But now I’m like, I don’t gotta do it.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taking the Leap:
  “I just need to take this leap of faith and it's paid off. I just had to feel the fear and do it anyway.” – Alex Hill (07:08)

• On Scarcity Mindset:
  “I was in a scarcity mindset... Now, she’s like, no, we can push back. Like, your following has grown.” – Alex Hill (09:40)

• On Platforms:
  “I don't think you need to be on every platform. I think... my girls are on Instagram.” – Alex Hill (18:07)

• On Community:
  “The medium is food, but for me, community is everything.” – Alex Hill (29:42)

• On Boundaries:
  “I’m working on my boundaries... I respond to every DM... but it gets a lot.” – Alex Hill (42:36)

• On Vulnerability and Jealousy:
  “It's okay to feel jealousy. I think people are like, no, it's... a feeling, and it's a natural feeling, but it's okay to be like, well, I want that, too.” – Alex Hill (48:59)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Breakdown | |-----------|-------------------| | 03:00-07:00 | Alex’s upbringing, PR roots, passion for food, early content journey | | 07:36-08:22 | Quitting her job, saving up, taking calculated risks | | 09:12-10:38 | Learning the business side, hiring a manager, overcoming scarcity mindset | | 16:01-17:24 | Getting a cookbook deal, writing and testing recipes | | 18:07-21:14 | Platform choices, building community on Substack | | 22:17-23:43 | Vision for offline work, boundaries, and long-term goals | | 29:17-30:13 | The power of IRL community, food and connection | | 38:07-40:41 | Assessing opportunity, saying no, gut instincts, true calling | | 42:36-45:18 | Being the product, boundary setting with audience, sharing vulnerability | | 47:10-48:59 | Social media comparison, growth mindset, self-compassion | | 51:52-53:44 | Lucky moment: Meeting her literary agent through vulnerability, "rejection is protection" |

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Final Takeaways & Advice

• Rejection is Protection: Don’t internalize setbacks—every “no” sets you up for the right “yes.”
• Bet on Yourself: Cultivating discipline and self-trust is more valuable than waiting for external validation.
• Intentional Growth: Stay aligned with your long-term vision, even as you navigate the pressures of internet metrics and comparison.
• Community Matters: Building a supportive community, both online and offline, can make all the difference.
• Boundaries Are Essential: Especially with a personal brand, define what you will and won’t do—for your creative longevity and mental health.
• Celebrate Small Wins: The journey is incremental; honor each milestone before moving on to the next.

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Where to Find Alex Hill

• Instagram: @justaddhotsauce
• Substack: Food and Feelings

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By sharing candid stories and sharp insights, Alex Hill and Les Alfred offer a masterclass in authenticity, resilience, and purposeful growth. Whether you’re building a personal brand or just navigating modern ambition, this episode reminds you to honor your journey, set boundaries, and never let anyone play in your face.

Transcript

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production. In this week's episode, we're talking to someone who truly understands the business of being herself, Alex Hill. As a creator of Just Add Hot Sauce, Alex shares thoughtful content at the intersection of food, feelings, and true authenticity today. Today we're unpacking the discipline, self trust, and vision required to work for yourself, and why betting on your point of view might be the smartest investment you can make. Because the business of you isn't about chasing titles. It's about building something that can hold you. So let's talk solopreneurship with Alex Hill.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I am joined by just at Hot Sauce, Miss Food and Feelings herself, Alex Hill.

[Alex Hill]

Thank you for having me.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Thank you so much for joining me.

[Alex Hill]

You know, I'm a fan. I love this podcast. Love it.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

That's the biggest compliment. I'm a fan of you. I feel like I've been following your content for so long. It's been amazing to see your growth, your trajectory, your authenticity, and how it is celebrated in the amazing community you have.

[Alex Hill]

Thank you. I appreciate that. That is like, my goal with everything is just building community and trying to be myself.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

As crazy as I am. So. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

You know, but that's what we love. That's what we love, is that you feel like such a friend, even through the screen, who is sharing your food and your love with all of us.

[Alex Hill]

And my lack of feelings.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And the feelings of feelings.

[Alex Hill]

Absolutely.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Which is something that I think a lot of people tend to shy away from. I know I even do. You know, on the Internet, you've been

[Alex Hill]

getting more vulnerable on the. You know, I watch every. What can't I watch every episode? So I am tuned in.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

So thank you. Yeah, thank you. So I got super excited to bring you on the show from a particular video that you had posted several months ago. At this point is right around the time that you were hitting 100k on

[Alex Hill]

Instagram, which is hard.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

People understand.

[Alex Hill]

Hard.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah, it's.

[Alex Hill]

It's really hard.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's a lot of building. And you had posted this really great video. First of all, you were making a sandwich that looks bomb.

[Alex Hill]

I love a sandwich.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Great.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

A great sandwich. But also you were talking about your trajectory and all of the things that went into getting you, at least to that point that you were at. And I think this was maybe back in the fall, like October, November. It was a couple months ago. So I know even between then and now, there's been so much that has happened.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And we can get into all of that. But you were really talking about your trajectory and just the different twists and turns and the different ways that you really bet on yourself to get to this point. So I'm wondering if you can kind of recap that for us for if there's maybe some girlies who hadn't seen that video yet, or if they saw it back in October and they're like, I don't remember.

[Alex Hill]

I went to Hampton University, graduated in 2010. My major was PR and marketing. I was going to move to New York. I was like, I'm going to be a pr.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yes.

[Alex Hill]

Be a publicist. I'm going to be like, fantastic. But I just loved food. I wanted to go to culinary school outside of high school. My mom said she's a very feisty Puerto Rican woman. She was like, absolutely. The fuck not. She was like, you are going to a four year. Went to Hampton. Best decision of my life. But after I graduated, I moved home for a little bit, then moved to New York. But food always followed me. I loved what I did. But, like, I was like, damn, I just love food so much. I love cooking for my friends. I love cooking for myself. I cooked at Hampton. I kept going to culinary school, open houses. And every time we got to like, the checkout line. Not the checkout line, but like, okay, this was great, but it's going to cost you $40,000. And I was like, don't have that. Like, I'm already in debt from Hampton. So I was like, I don't know what to do. So I YouTube university, bon appetit magazine. Like, I was just feeding into my passion, just, like, cooking for myself and learning more about food. And then in 2017, I was like, fuck it, I'm going to start a food blog. I did not know what I was doing. It's still up, but it's, like, not active, but it's like, it was very saturated. Grainy pictures. It was just misspellings everywhere. But I was like, I just want to put my passion and you got to start somewhere. You have to start somewhere and seeing, like, how far I've come and like, damn, like, you've really grown. Lots of starts and stops. I got my dream job at Team Epiphany in New York. I've always wanted to work there. It was just the greatest job ever. And I remember in my interview, he was like, Coltrane goes, so what do you do outside of work? And I was like, oh, well, I have a food blog. He was like, we love people that do what they love on the side because we Always think that, like, they're entrepreneurs, we're entrepreneurs, and you guys are also entrepreneurs. And something in that. I was like, damn, I should start my food blog back up. I started doing igtv Cooking with Friends. And it was just like a slow progression. And then, you know, imposter syndrome kicks in. I stopped because I was like, what am I doing? And then 2020 hit. And of course, like, everyone, I was a crazy person on the Internet. I was posting food recipes every day. Like, my bill was like a thousand dollars a month. Like, it was nuts.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

You were spending on groceries.

[Alex Hill]

I was spending on groceries. And I would, like, go out, like, with, like, the mask, like, just roped up to the grocery store. And then I would come home and cook. And that's when I saw that my following started to grow. And then I had a panic attack. I've never had one before January 2021. And I was like. I was like, I think I'm gonna quit. Cause I kept, like, talking about it,

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

but I was like, what triggered the panic attack? Was it work?

[Alex Hill]

Was it, like, being overwhelmed and just that hot sauce? Yeah. So team of 15 obviously is black owned. When Black Lives Matter hit, you know how all the. No shade to the corporations, but they're like, we need to work with black agencies.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Right.

[Alex Hill]

We did great work, but we were busy as hell. So we were juggling so many things. I was juggling my clients, new clients, and I was just like, I can't do this. I would tell my work husband at the time, like, listen, I'm recording. I'mma put a meeting on the calendar. He was like, I got you. Or I would, like, teach a cooking class. And they would be like. Like, I would be cooking.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

And so I think I was just juggling all that. And I was on a call and Slack was popping off that fucking ding and my hand started shaking. I was like, okay, I just need, like, a break. I was like, I just need to, like, walk away for a second. And I, like, threw the mason jar of water just because you just need, like, a release. And I started crying, like, fetal position for like an hour. I've never felt anything like that. And after that, I was like, I'm going to quit. And then I quit, like, four months later.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And what happened in between those four months when you had that realization and when you truly quit?

[Alex Hill]

I was talking to my client at the time because she was a good friend of mine, and she was like, you said you were going to quit. You said you were going to build, like, 25k in your savings? What happened? I was like, I'm scared. I took every partnership that offered it to me, even if it was like 200, I was like, that's going to build towards my savings. So I got to 25k and my friend was like, I thought you were going to quit. I was like, I'm terrified. So I was like, okay, I'm going to quit on my birthday because my birthday is the 30th of April and that's when I would get my last paycheck. So I was like, I'm going to quit. I was on the train and the train was moving fast and I was like, if I don't stay on this train, it's going to pass me. So I was like, I just need to take this leap of faith and it's paid off. I just had to feel the fear and do it anyway. You know, that point that you just

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

made about the train is really important because with a lot of these things there is timing and there are often windows of opportunity when it is ideal to make a jump.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Like I think taking calculated risks is really important if you have certain things in place. So if it's like getting your savings up to a certain point, that's the only plan.

[Alex Hill]

I, I didn't have a plan other than like I'm going to have 25k. That six months is expensive.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

If the savings left, I can go back to work.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yep, absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

You know?

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. And then leaning into that window of opportunity of saying, okay, I have this momentum right now. Yeah, this is a good time to strike while the iron is hot and leap into it and to take a calculated risk. But it also wasn't like, I don't know how I'm going to pay my rent next month, but I'm just going to jump in and do it.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Don't recommend that.

[Alex Hill]

Do not. Don't you out of ten, don't do that.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Do not.

[Alex Hill]

Every time I get to my scary number of like, I'm like, oh, that's a little scary, but it always works out. Yeah, it does. It does. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Can we talk more about after that moment you quit, you then start doing your own thing. When it comes to either being self employed, having a business, sometimes I think there is this gap between being able to like manage the business part and being good at business and then also being good at whatever that calling is. So for you, like, food is a really big passion and being a really great cook and sharing food with your community is really great. And everybody who does that can't necessarily run a business.

[Alex Hill]

Or we see these people who are

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

really great hairstylists and so talented at it. Not so much with the business part. So how did you learn and pick up the business acumen?

[Alex Hill]

It took me a minute. It took me a minute. Like, honestly, I think in the past two years, like, now I'm finally in a groove of, like, I have my accountant that, like, I know what to write off. I have my budget. Like, I have, like, everything. And then it really took having a good manager to be like, let me take this on for you. Because you can't be the creative and the talent and also invoice. Because I was doing that for a really long time. And I went through a couple managers, but I finally got to one where I was like, this is a great fit. And she has helped me just be, like, the creative person. Because I was not. I was like, honestly, I was saying yes to everything because I was. I was in a scarcity mindset. Because I was like, well, I'm just going to take it because this is the first thing they offered me. And then now she's like, no, we can push back. Like, your following has grown. And I think not coming from a scarcity mindset, you're just like, okay, like, I can let her do her job and I can do my job. And I've seen the benefit of that, because some people can't you that net 30. Some people are net 90. Oh, yeah. And I'm like.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And sometimes longer than that.

[Alex Hill]

Longer than that.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

The mess.

[Alex Hill]

I waited six months for this campaign one time, and I was like, are you okay? But it takes a lot to be the creative and also the business manager. I finally gotten in a groove. That works for me.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

So as you were building out your team.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

What has that looked like for you? What have been some signs that, you know, okay, these are the right people I need to have in my corner.

[Alex Hill]

You gotta have a good manager. And for me, I think going with one where you're like, you see where you want to go. Like, for me, my goal has always been a cookbook, like, since I was little. But as you get into the creator space, you're like, okay, you see people getting cookbooks. You see these people getting cookbooks. How do you get there? Now? I found my literary agent through a friend, but the manager I have now has worked with a lot of creators that got cookbooks. And I was like, I want to talk to her. And we were introduced through a friend, but I was like, she knows where I want to go. And she's worked with people that has done this before. So I want to sign with her because she knows, like, I want a cookbook and I don't want to live on the Internet for the rest of my life. You know, I don't want to be held to the algorithm. Yeah. Because you can. You can, like, post something you really love and it tanks. Yeah. You're like, why did it take? And I don't want to live like that. Like, I'm trying to pop out babies, I'm trying to get married. Like, I don't want to live on the Internet.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

No.

[Alex Hill]

So she knows where I'm trying to go with this. And, like, even if I'm not with her forever, she knows where I want to go.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

And I think you have to always zoom out and be like, okay, I'm here now, but where do I want to go with this?

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

How do we get from here to there? Definitely.

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[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

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[Alex Hill]

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[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

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[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I want to talk more about some of the things that you do want to do. So you did share that you got a book deal for your first cookbook, which is exciting, comes out next year. So exciting. So are you in the writing development process now?

[Alex Hill]

Oh, I am in the writing and it is that process is very difficult getting a book deal in general. I'm just like, oh, this is what goes into it. So my recipes, all of my recipes got approved. So now I'm in the writing and testing process. And that's a skill that you have to like lock in of like, oh, I have to sit and write and test. So now I'm on like a schedule of like, right, like today's my writing day and I'll go home after this and like take off all my clothes and be like, all right, let's get in the kitchen and let's sit down and start writing. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

The process of putting a book out is also so long. Like, you announced that you got the book deal, like, last year, so 2025.

[Alex Hill]

So I got the book deal in May. May of 2025. Right around my.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

I went to the Beyonce concert, and it was the best experience, like, being like, oh, my God, I have a cookbook deal. And now I'm at the Beyonce concert. It was great. And then it takes forever. I'm a Taurus. I'm very impatient. So it took forever to get the contract. So I got the contract in September. So then I started writing, like, January after, like, the calls with your editor. And you're like, okay, this is where I'm trying to go. And then my manuscript is due June. And then it goes through, like, six months of editing. And then after that, it's like, okay, let's do, like, the book tour and all that. So it's a two year process. Two years. Two years. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Minimum.

[Alex Hill]

Minimum.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Let's not even talk about all the work that went into being able to get the book deal in the first place.

[Alex Hill]

Right. And the proposal. Yeah. And all the rejection.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

As somebody who is like a solopreneur kind of building your own media company on the Internet, I. I would love to talk about the different arms that there are to that. Like, I came to find you on Instagram. A friend of mine had shared some of your content, who's a chef, and so she's always sharing, like, food things, and I think she ended up sharing one of your things one day, and then I saw it, and I was like, oh, I like her. Like, follow.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

But you also have a really engaged substack community. You have also hosted cooking shows in the past. Can we talk a little bit more about the different platforms that are a part of your work and how they're a part of what you're building?

[Alex Hill]

So I am only on Instagram and substack. I had my cooking show on Tastemade that came out 2023. I'm on TikTok, but not really on TikTok for my mental health, to be honest. I don't think you need to be on every platform. I think. Well, one, I feel like I'm an older millennial. Whatever. We're turning 38 this year, so it's like my girls are on Instagram. Like, they are really engaged on Instagram, and I think a lot of us love TikTok, but I just didn't want to get addicted to another app. And I was like, I don't want to like the constant doom scrolling. Then you're comparing yourself on Instagram. You're going to Compare yourself on TikTok. So I was like, I don't really want to do that. And I know I've missed out on money. I know, but I don't care.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

But also not even necessarily that much. I think a lot of brands still prefer to invest in creators on Instagram because Instagram's more reliable. There's not a worry of, like, is it going to go away? I think reach on Instagram is still better because even though Instagram's challenging, I think the algorithm is still a little bit more predictable.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Versus still, with tick tock, it can get zero views or like 100k and you truly never know.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah. And my manager was like, brands are always going to stick to Instagram. So I'm like. With that in mind, I was like, okay. And I started my substack in 2020 just as like a. Oh, I think my big.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Early.

[Alex Hill]

I was early. I was early. And the only reason why is because my big sister at the time, she was like, you should do like an exclusive recipe, like, newsletter. And I was like. She was like, there's this platform called substack. She was like, it's just for writing. And I was like, okay, I'll try it out. I'm growing on Instagram. Let me just go to, like, another place. Like, oh, here are my exclusive recipes for the month. So I think I did like two. And then I quit my job. And then I kind of just started. It was like a diary of just, like, expressing my feelings and my thoughts. And people really started to resonate with it. And I was like, oh. So I just kept doing it as like a journal dump. And then I didn't start monetizing until four years later, till 2024.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Wow.

[Alex Hill]

Like, I was. Because I was just like, I don't think people are going to pay for my writing. So I was like, I don't really see why. But now I pay for so many people's newsletters that just write. They're not even cooking creators. And I was like, damn. I. It's just a safe space on the Internet that I love. And I talked about. I've talked a lot about the journey of womanhood. And you also get recipes. Yeah, yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

A good balance of the. Of the food and the feeling. Do you find that the community that you have specifically over on Substack, that there is a level of depth there because it's longer form.

[Alex Hill]

Yes. I think people's attention span are longer. Like, they're more engaged. And to me, I don't know if this is my algorithm. They're a little older, and they just want their mind to be stimulated in a different way.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Do you find that having that publication kind of adequately prepared you for the book process?

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Okay, good.

[Alex Hill]

My old manager at the time was like, if you have a substack that you put out the recipe a week, the editors or the publishers are like, okay, she can keep this up. That means she can write in a quicker process.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

So I think that really helped.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

That's good to know. Yeah. Because I got on Substack this year. I was using it previously as a newsletter platform for the podcast, and then I've moved for other reasons, but I started my own substack that's unrelated to the podcast. I only have a few posts up. It's new, but I am doing it basically because I want to write a book, and by the end of this year, like, I want some sort of book deal. And I'm like, this is where. This is where the editors are looking. This is where the readers are.

[Alex Hill]

The editors are on Substack.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah, they really are.

[Alex Hill]

Especially if it's not behind a paywall. Anyone can read your posts.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

It's great.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. I want to come back to something that you said earlier, because it's a sentiment that I can also relate a lot to being an online person, but wanting to eventually kind of move into more offline work. So, like, with your book that's coming out, that's a really great example of a step towards that. You mentioned potentially wanting to have a brick and mortar one day.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I'm curious what you think that transition from online person to an offline person entrepreneur looks like for you.

[Alex Hill]

I have a beautiful, engaged community, but I think I struggle with boundaries. I struggle with, like, shutting my brain off and just getting off social for a couple hours or even, like, through the night. Because I think with social, I think people are like, they have access to you. And I love talking. I call everyone my hot saucies. So I love talking to my hot sauces in the DMs and in comments and all of that. But I think there's, like, a fine line of, like, I still need to have a life for myself outside of the Internet. And for me, like, I don't. I don't want to be on it forever, you know? So it's like, I don't know what the trajectory Is I would love to keep writing cookbooks. Yeah, I would love to keep writing cookbooks and, like, have Instagram just be, like, the promotional tool. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Something for fun when you want to pop on.

[Alex Hill]

Because it's, like, relying on brand partnerships as, like, your income is hard. It is. It's really hard. And I'm like, that's why I think I'm going so hard on Substack, because I don't want to have social media partnerships as my primary income. Because sometimes you're like, the algorithm does not hit and you're. And brands are looking at you well. Why didn't that do well? So it's just another avenue of revenue

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

for me, for sure.

[Alex Hill]

So I hope in the next three years, I would hope to have my coffee shop and a New York Times bestselling author.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely. We can do that next year with a period book, for sure.

[Alex Hill]

Manifesting that.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

No, I can relate to that so much. And I feel such a similar, like, timeline. The way that I describe it in my head. I always joke that, like, being online and doing content, I refer to it as shaking my ass for Kohl's cash, based off of, like, a really old TikTok sound from a couple years ago that was, like, funny where I feel like I'm just constantly online trying to holler for a dollar. Like, constantly. And it's, like, never enough. And to get to the point where I don't have to do that. Even this podcast, even as much as I love podcasting. Yeah. I have to put out an episode every Tuesday, come hell or high water. Otherwise, not only do I not eat and get paid, but everybody who helps me also doesn't.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's like, doesn't really matter if I'm sick, if a file gets lost, if somebody cancels out every Tuesday, there's got to be something. And, like, while I'm so grateful to get to do that and created that. That's very stressful for forever.

[Alex Hill]

This is not sustainable. No, like, Like, I was talking. My manager. I was like, this is unsustainable. Yeah. Like, shaking your ass on. I really feel like I'm shaking my ass on the Internet and you are. Yeah. And I'm just like, I can't. I can't do this. Like, I. I just want to work out, look cute, be with my man, whoever my man is, have these babies and be like, all right, yeah, enough. And, like, vibe out and vibe out.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And I think the way that I like to think of it is tell me if you agree. I feel the Same way the things that I'm doing now and the things that I'm creating now and my level of ambition now is like, all well and good, but I'm not doing that to have like the biggest podcast. You say that I have it, period. I'm doing it so that it can unlock the opportunities that I actually really want, which is like writing the books, producing the shows.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Making the investments, having, like, the connections to do really cool behind the scenes work and having a bit of a quieter life is my ultimate goal.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

But, like, this is a means to get to that point.

[Alex Hill]

Content creation is what I'm called to do now because that's how I'm putting my food out. That's how I'm getting my passion out in the world. But I don't want to do this forever. So it's like, what are the ways I can just do this and be like, okay, this is fine now, but I don't want to do this forever because right now, like, even last year, I was like, with my audacity, I was like, I can't keep just doing what I'm doing because I'm not. I'm not having fun anymore. So, like, that's why I put out the poop series, because I was like, one colon cancer runs in my family and sometimes it takes me a day to go and I'm like, I want to talk about fiber.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

We need more fiber.

[Alex Hill]

We need more fiber. I want to talk about that and I want to call it the poop series and fuck it, like, because you're just like, I want to put out what I want, not like a trend or, you know, so, yeah, for sure.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And I love that we're talking about this and the point in that and why I brought it up that I really want to drive home for the audience because we have audience members who have all different kinds of, like, careers and trajectories and things. Is the importance of always thinking ahead. That the thing that we think our goal is right now, to remember the right now in that, but that it's never an end all, be all.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Like, I posted this piece on Substack a couple weeks ago where I was talking about what I called the post peak pivot. And this idea that I told you I'm tuned in. Thank you. But this idea that because we live in like a misogynistic, patriarchal society, when women get really successful and shine really brightly, the public kind of only lets them do that for so long before people start getting sick of you and they Start getting ready to, like, cancel you over things that I think are kind of ridiculous.

[Alex Hill]

And then also with being on the Internet, you're. You're terrified of being canceled.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

Like, anything you say for sure, though.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And that overexposure is a really big part of that. And of the successful women that I've studied that I think are able to have a lot of longevity, it's because they know when to take the peaks and the valleys. They know when to be out in front, shining bright, and then they know when to back it up, pivot, reframe, let people miss them, and then be really successful at something else and to kind of have those ups and downs. But if you're always out in people's faces, putting stuff out, just, like, constant, that's when people start to kind of pick apart at what you're doing, and it just doesn't go well.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I think people see this peak of saturation and being the most in the forefront and the most popular as the goal. And I think you should be strategic about what comes after that so that you can afford to have those moments to take a step back and work on the next thing. Yeah. And so it's really all about thinking ahead and not being so caught up in what, you know, where you are right now and what the next step is, but also thinking, three steps, five steps.

[Alex Hill]

Zoom out. I always say zoom out and what that looks like. And, yeah, because, like, for me, my Zoom out right now is the book. My Zoom out is 2027. Yeah. Like, that's what I'm working on. That's what I'm gearing up towards. Then after that, I'm like, okay, what. What else? With my paid subscribers, Like, I want to start having, like, happy hours just to be like, let's meet irl. Because, like, I want to see, like, a face to, like, the Instagram name, you know, what do I want to do with this platform that has given me the opportunity to quit my job to do what I love? So it's like, it's always just like, zoom out.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Can we talk more about IRL and the things that you would love to do? Irl?

[Alex Hill]

I want cooking classes. I hosted. I was doing virtual cooking classes in the pandemic. Virtual was, like, everything, and I still do virtual. Like, I hosted one. I think it was, like, November, October for, like, my paid subscribers. But, like, I just want to meet you guys in person and be like, like, let's talk about dating. Let's talk about work. Let's talk about, like, we're in our late 30s. Like, let's just meet in person instead of, like, just over a dm. And I think that's how. Because community, for me, is the through line of everything I do. I think the medium is food, but, like, for me, community is everything. So it's like, I want to host these IRL happy hours or cooking classes to get to know people.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. And I think your work lends itself so well to that because food is such a connection point. It is for so many people. It's like, we share love by sharing food. We share experiences, often over food. It's such an important cultural element. It is like, it's really the heartbeat of community in so many ways.

[Alex Hill]

And if you think about it, like, bad days, we're having margaritas and tacos. Good days, we're having margaritas and tacos. So it's like. It really is like, you have it on your good days and your bad days.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. That's something that I want to be better about because I am such an introvert that. Yeah. I started podcasting in 2018. In 2018, podcasting was a very different thing. It was something that I did, like, in my closet in the dark.

[Alex Hill]

And now it's visual.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's visual, but back then, it was like, I could kind of Skype people without video, and we could have, like, a long conversation, and then that was it. Nobody had to see me. But with that, it's like, there is also this expectation to, like, do the events and have all the stuff. And I'm like, I'm so tired. I get so drained.

[Alex Hill]

That the. The luncheon this weekend, I was like, oh, that was a lot of peopling. A lot. And you get. You get drained. Like, I came home, I was like, I just want to sit in my house and, like, eat a burger. It's hard. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

For people who may not know what lunch you were referring to, you were nominated for an NAACP award. Okay. This episode's airing.

[Alex Hill]

Okay.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

After the awards, so we can update with. With what happens. But right now, the winner. Yeah, we're gonna. You know, at the time that we're recording this, you just went to the luncheon for nominees, which was exciting.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah. I walked my first carpet, which is nuts. And this is, like, the full circle moment. My old job, Team Epiphany, was producing the event, and it was just a godwink moment of, like, you are truly in your purpose. Because I loved my job. You couldn't tell me shit. I would probably still be there if I didn't quit to do this. And it was just a full circle moment of like, oh, wow, like, you're at the luncheon for what you're nominated for, for the job that, like, is producing it. So it was just like, babe, you're. You're in it. You're in your purpose.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

The nudge that, like, you're in the right direction.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. What a cool experience. And to be recognized on such like an iconic platform for our community, for work that you get to. It's not wild. It's like this was once an idea that was in my head that is now a job that I get to do and people appreciate it and it's celebrated. Like, that's such a beautiful moment.

[Alex Hill]

And people were like, affirming me at the luncheon and they were like, I love your recipes. Like, I voted for you. So it was just, it was an affirming moment for me that was like, wow, like, I'm doing it.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

And I love it. So it's like, it's because I truly think this is my God given purpose. And it's like, I know that I have a special gift of connecting people with food and just like being able to cook because not everyone can cook. I hope I'm giving you recipe that,

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

you know, if you follow the recipe, don't substitute half of the ingredients and then be like, it didn't turn out right.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah, just follow the recipe. Yeah. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Because that's what has been developed and tested and that.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Will turn out.

[Alex Hill]

Time went into this. Grocery bills went into this. So, yeah. You know what?

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I don't think people realize I started off as like a food creator. In my very early days. I used to do healthy recipes. Back in, like 2014, I had a blog.

[Alex Hill]

Okay.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Would make like healthier versions of recipes. And it is so expensive when you're developing and creating recipes and photographing food and trying to make it look appealing. Grocery bill through the roof, girl.

[Alex Hill]

My office is sprouts and whole foods. I'm there every. Almost every other day.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

And luckily, like, thanks to my accountant Diamond, I can write it off. But I'm just like, it is expensive. Someone asked me, like, how much are your grocery bills? I'm like, a lot of money

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

runs around.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah. Around food. And I try and shop exclusively at the farmer's market, which is also expensive. So it's like, yeah, it's. It's a lot.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. And I think the point of that is, like, it takes money to make money. And especially having a business of any kind, it like, requires a lot of investment.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And especially if you're a solopreneur, you're really, like, building something from the ground up. Like, you are often, you're the investor, you're the CEO, you're the talent.

[Alex Hill]

And sometimes you're just like, let me just pay for it. Like, I know, like, in the long run because sometimes some of these brands that, like, don't want to fly you out, but, like, oh, come here. But, like, travel isn't included. You're like, this is going to be a great look. I think so. It's like you just. You chuck it up.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

When they said cash rules everything around me, they weren't lying. Money touches everything. Your freedom, your options, your ability to say yes and your ability to say no. And I've realized recently that I don't want to just know where my money went. I also want to know where it's going. I want a plan. I want projection. I want to see the life I'm building reflected back to me in numbers. Which is why I started using Monarch to track my finances. Now, Monarch isn't just about tracking things and feeling guilty about what's already happened. It gives you a complete picture. Your budgets, accounts, investments, debt, payoff timelines, savings goals, net worth, all in one dashboard, accessible on your phone or computer. What shifted for me is the proactive piece. I can see exactly where my money is flowing and redirect it towards what actually matters, which is better. Building savings with intention. Watching my net worth grow because I'm making aligned decisions is so rewarding and really comes from having visibility over your finances. This isn't reactive money management. It is super strategic. And the results reflect that. In a 2025 survey, Monarch members reported saving over $200 per month on average. And 8 out of 10 feel more in control of their finances. That is real momentum. Set yourself up for financial success with Monarch, the all in one tool that makes proactive money management simple all year long. Use code [e-mail] for half off your first year. That's 50% off your first year. @monarch.com with code Lucky, every expansion comes with a moment of doubt. I remember a year ago when I was gearing up to rebrand the podcast thinking, is this aligned or is it risky? And when you're building something that matters to you, you always wonder, what if it doesn't work? And that voice can get really loud. But I've learned something. Growth always feels uncomfortable at first. And the difference between staying stuck and scaling is support. That is why I Love platforms like Shopify. If I had this kind of infrastructure when I first started over seven years ago, it would have saved me so much trial and error. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from major household names to brands that are just getting their first idea off the ground, they make it easy to bring your vision to life with beautiful, ready to use templates and powerful AI tools that help write product descriptions, headlines, and even enhance your photos so you're not just staring at a blank screen. Because sometimes the hardest part isn't the idea, it's the execution. And Shopify removes that friction. Shopify also helps you get the word out with email and social campaigns, supports you with everything from inventory to shipping to returns, and offers 24. 7 customer support when you need it. Let's also talk about conversion. That iconic purple shop pay button is Shopify's best converting checkout on the planet, which means fewer abandoned carts and more actual sales. It's time to turn those what ifs into with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com balance black girl go to shopify.com balance black girl that's shopify.com balance black girl.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

How do you decipher when it's a good opportunity to take?

[Alex Hill]

It's okay to say no. It's okay. I am a recovering people pleaser. When I was starting out, like, I wanted someone to say yes to me. So it's like, I always think about, like, okay, like, should I do it? But now I'm like, I don't gotta do it. Like, and it's fine. Like, I turned down something the other day where I was like, I kind of want to do it, but my manager's like, do you? And I was like, no, I think I'm letting my gut slide. Speak more of, like, what are you feeling? Your gut. Because if you don't want to, don't do it.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I've been feeling that way a lot when it comes to speaking opportunities there because speaking is becoming a big part of my business and what I want to do and be known for.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And for a few years, I would say yes to any speaking gig. I got most of them unpaid. If I was invited to be on a panel to moderate something, to talk about anything.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

No matter how big, how small, I would show up.

[Alex Hill]

And I think that's great to do because a lot of people now are kind of like, well, if it's not paid to this Extent. I'm not going to do it for sure.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I think when you're first starting out with something, you do have to got to say yes. You got to say yes to a lot of things. And this year, I'm really wanting to differentiate. Like, I am not a wellness influencer anymore. I know that I was for a very long time, but that's no longer what I'm here to do. And really putting a stake in the ground of, like, no. I am a media personality.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I facilitate conversations. I talk about luck, I talk about ambition, I talk about success. If those are the topics we're talking about, I am your girl. And if you want to come talk to me about wellness and all of that stuff, it's just not my thing. And so I did get presented with some speaking opportunities for this year where people are like, really pushing. We want to talk about burnout and we want to talk about these wellness things and we want to feature you. And I'm just like, that's not what I want to be known for anymore.

[Alex Hill]

And it's okay to say no with that. I'm not a chef. I don't call myself a chef. I say recipe developer because I also want to honor people who went to culinary school. But it's like, if you want me to do a private dinner, I'm not going to do that. I don't want to.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah, that's stressful.

[Alex Hill]

Too stressful. I did it. I catered something like last January. I cried in the car and I said, I'm not a caterer. And that's okay to be like, no, I'm a talent in a space of like, I'm not going to be the caterer. I want to be in front of the camera and it's okay to be like, yeah, like, that's what I want to do. And it's fine to say no to the other things that you don't want to do.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Along similar lines, is there something that you would love the opportunity to say yes to this year?

[Alex Hill]

Oh, I would love to be, like, recipe develop for, like, the LA Times. That would be really cool. I see a couple creators do it for New York Times, and I just think. I think it's a level up in a way of elevating your craft of also getting off the Internet and doing it for a publication. I would love to do that.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Let's call that in.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. We are seeing this interesting shift. Media is in a really weird place right now where it's like, on one hand, there's like, A lot of distrust about media. On the other hand, I think even some of the sentiments we share about not being so online. Yeah, A lot of people feel, whether they create or not, this desire to kind of go back to analog and where it's like they want to look in a cookbook instead of being so attached to online recipes, or they want to, like, read the newspaper instead of being attached to pick up a book. Yeah, I do think that there is this desire for people to go a bit more analog. I think if there are more great voices kind of going back to traditional media to the point where people can start trusting it again, I think that that's a move that we're going to see.

[Alex Hill]

People want to physically pick up a cookbook or pick up a book and not just rely on your phone. Yeah. Let's go back to the days we were outside before the lights came on. We need to touch fucking grass.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I need to do that because lately my screen time has been horrendous.

[Alex Hill]

My screen time is terrible.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Going back to the topic of being online as somebody who has a strong brand, has a personal brand, like, you are the face of what you do. You are a food creator. So, yes, people come because they love the recipes and the things, but they also love you in a lot of ways. You are the product. How do you navigate being the product?

[Alex Hill]

I'm working on my boundaries. My old boss, Coltrane, said, whatever you do, like, people are rooting for you. Yes, I create great recipes, but they're also rooting for me. And I think with my substack, people have really been like, girl, I'm really rooting for you with love. Because I think I talk about a lot. And so it's like they're rooting for me. I am very tapped in with my community. Like, I respond to every dm. I'm always trying to respond because I am a person. At the end of the day, do

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

you find that people dump on you in the DMs a lot because you share so much vulnerable.

[Alex Hill]

I won't say dumping, but when I was sharing about my egg freezing journey, I got a lot of dms. I think they were just like, I haven't seen someone post about especially a black woman and especially woman over 35. Because they say, you're over 35, your eggs are shit. So I did get a lot. That was a lot of energy that I was like, oh, I need to, like, take a step back from that for that.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

But I was very proud to talk about it, for sure. I Talk a lot about just, like, the womanhood. And someone DM'd me the other day, and we follow each other, but she was like, I'm sorry for dumping on you. I was like, you're not dumping. Yeah, but it gets a lot. Yeah, it gets a lot.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It definitely can be. I feel like I don't experience that as much anymore now that my content has shifted a bit. But in the past, especially when it was more wellness focused, it would happen a lot.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And then there would be some times where I'm concerned, where people are, like, asking me questions about. And I'm like, please talk to your doctor.

[Alex Hill]

Doctor. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's like, I've had my period for 42 days. I'm like, please, I can't. There's nothing I can do to, like, help you with this. Please see a doctor. Like, something's up.

[Alex Hill]

I did get a couple over the egg freezing. They wanted to exchange numbers and talk more where I was like, I don't think I'm. I'm that person for you. Because I. I think you have friends, and I hope that you have good friends that will pour into you, but I can't be that. So it's like. I think it comes a time where, like, you have to be, like, put up a boundary.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It is hard. And it's on one hand sometimes when people will send messages that say very vulnerable things, I'm like, wow, I am so grateful to be a safe person. If this person feels safe enough to come to me with xyz. And then there's the other part that's like, I also am still a stranger at the end of the day and, like, holding space for both of those people.

[Alex Hill]

Holding space for both. Holding space for both. I think, like, when you see someone on the Internet that you relate to, you want to, like, talk to them. And I get that. And I always say I try and be a safe space on the Internet, especially for black women, because we don't have that. But it does sometimes with the egg freezing, it was. I was like, ooh, I'm a little overwhelmed with that.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

Because it was just.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

There's a lot in that topic.

[Alex Hill]

Right.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

There's a lot of emotion. It's a big financial investment, so there's a lot of stress there. It's like, you don't know how it's going to turn out. There's just a lot of feelings.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Wrapped up in that. I admire anybody who is, like, able to share and be. Because I struggle with that. I don't. I kind of stop talking about all that stuff.

[Alex Hill]

I love to be vulnerable. It's the. I think when you. When you're.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I just got like a chill. I was like, oh, I love reaction

[Alex Hill]

because it just unlocks a piece of. Just like. Because I'm an O. I don't know. But I am an over thinker. This brain will get to work in. And sometimes I'm just like, I need to dump it out. And I think that's what substack has been. And I think when women DM me and they're like, girl, I. I feel you. You're like, oh, damn. I'm not crazy. Because it's like everyone is going through the same thing. But being on the Internet, it's just the fucking highlight reel. And I'm like, I am tired of seeing the highlight reels. Like, what? How do you actually feel? And you said something. This is. I think we're going off a tangent.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's okay.

[Alex Hill]

But you said something on Instagram, maybe threads. You're like, I'm tired of seeing people get the shit that I want.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah, I am.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah. And I was like, that's real. Yeah. Like, say it and it's okay. And I was like, that's the one

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

thing I do say a lot.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah. Like I'm. I'm like saying I want it too.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

So.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. But we talk a little bit more about that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. About just this idea of. How do I put this? I do think when you're online,

[Alex Hill]

there

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

is almost kind of a hierarchy that is dependent on like vanity metrics, not necessarily like the quality of the work. And I know I get very frustrated

[Alex Hill]

same by that same. I just broke 100k. And there has been some of my peers. I don't want to say, I mean, peers, friends, whatever, that have surpassed it easily. And you start to compare. You're like, well, what am I doing wrong? Because you're just like, I'm. I too am on the Internet, like a crazy person posting and I'm barely breaking. I hate the whole measuring of like, well, you know, she's a mid tier and whatever. Or like she doesn't have a lot. I'm like, so the what? Yeah, like I have an engaged community. And like, I felt. I'm not gonna lie, I felt so cringy celebrating 100k.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Why? It's exciting. I'm still trying to get there, girl. I haven't cracked it yet.

[Alex Hill]

But then this was my thought. My manager was like, you need to celebrate it. I was like, yeah, then you want to get to 200k.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

And then you want to get to 300k, and you're constantly, like, not being present in where you are of, like, I Instagram. That's great. But then it's like, then you got to get to the next level. And it's just. It's just. For me, it was like, wow, I did it. I'm going to celebrate. I'm going to talk about it. But, like, on to the next.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

But it gets very tiring being like, well, she only has this amount of followers because you're like, okay, but imagine if a thousand people walked up to you.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

That's crazy.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

You could fill a stadium. There's.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

The community is now too big to fit in any of these NFL stadiums

[Alex Hill]

in the US but then you see events that you're not invited to for sure. Or you get. You'll see, like, a partnership, like, pass up, like, I'm scrolling, like, oh, wait, they emailed me. And then you're like, oh, is that why they went ghost? Because it went to another person?

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

So it's a lot. It's a lot.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I feel that I have that happen,

[Alex Hill]

and it's okay to feel jealousy. I think people are like, no, it's. It's a feeling, and it's a natural feeling, but it's okay to be like, well, I want that, too.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

And holding space for both.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I think everybody has toxic traits.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And I think that there are. There could be, like, worse toxic traits to have. But I'm definitely in. I say this, like, a little jokingly, like, a little bit of, like, a girl boss era right now, where I'm like, I'm about my money, I'm about work. I'm about growing this and getting it done.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And there's not really a whole lot of balance and all those other things, because in this particular season, that's just what it is.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And so much of, like, the flowery Instagram language of like. But your path is your path, and you'll get it when you're meant to.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I'm.

[Alex Hill]

I've been working. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I've been. It's been a decade plus of do I want it now?

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

At this point. And if. Then I'm willing to do what it takes to get whatever it is. I'm tired of people playing in my face that an Instagram quote doesn't undo that.

[Alex Hill]

That fucking playing in my face.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I say nothing to them at this point because there's nothing to say.

[Alex Hill]

But sometimes stop playing in My face.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

Not playing in my face.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

Because you. Because again, we're online. Yeah. And you see. And you could be like, they got this. Why haven't I gotten it? I've been working just as hard, and it. It's tough. Yeah, it's tough.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Building a business on the Internet.

[Alex Hill]

It's tough. Yeah, it is. I would have never guessed that I would have been on the Internet building a business. I love it. It's a love hate relationship.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

It's truly a love hate relationship when you have those great moments of connection with your audience. It's like when somebody is like, oh, this made my day. Or this made me feel so seen.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Here's how this helped me. It's like, this is. Why do this?

[Alex Hill]

This is so great every time for me. Like, when someone's like, I made your recipe. My first site in my house that I bought. Or like, if you truly. The best thing for me is when you send me a dm or if I'm stopped at the farmer's market looking crazy. Someone the other day was like, I made your recipe and I loved it so much. Like, I'm really rooting for you. That truly feeds me because I'm like, okay, I'm doing something right.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Alex Hill]

Like, I'm truly doing something right. The best it is. And I don't care that I have grown slowly. To me, that matters most. Like, I want people who want to be here.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Alex Hill]

To be like, yes, that looks really good. This is helping me poop. I made it for my boy.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Some fiber.

[Alex Hill]

I got some fiber. Like, that's what. That's my corner of the Internet.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Most definitely. Yeah. So, Alex, before we wrap up, I would love to hear a couple of things.

[Alex Hill]

Okay.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

One, I want you to think about a lucky moment that you've had and share it with us. And then if there's just, like, one takeaway for the girls listening who are maybe building something, building something around themselves, beginning to put themselves out there.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Like, what is one piece of advice that you have for them?

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Make it a hot take. Add some hot sauce to it.

[Alex Hill]

Rejection is protection. Truly. Rejection is protection. So my lucky moment. I was introduced to my literary agent, who is phenomenal. I love her. I was introduced to her through a friend. And I think when you finally. When you start to be vulnerable and, like, open up. I was talking to a friend and I was like, this process is really a lot. And I was like, I'm trying to find a literary agent. I have been getting ghosted or have been getting I don't know if this is, like, the right fit. So I'm like, I'm about to give up. And literally, my friend was like, you should talk to my literary agent. And I was like, okay. And I am working on asking for help. I don't like to ask for help. So I think, like, a couple days have passed, and she didn't connect me. And I was like, she doesn't want to help me. I was like, she doesn't want to help me.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

You know, immediately go to the worst.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah, the worst thing. And I was like, alex, you want a cookbook deal? So just, like, reach out to her. And I was like, hey, do you still want to connect me with your literate? She was like, oh, my God, I totally forgot. Let me. Let me connect you. She connected us in, like, 30 seconds. I talked with Adriana on a Thursday. I was signed to her on a Monday. And it was so many synchronous, like, kismet things. Like, her, She's a white woman, but her best friend is Puerto Rican. And when I was talking about my Puerto Rican side of the cook, she was like, no, I'm familiar. And I was like, oh, wow. So I think the luck is just, like. It was that moment of being like, this process is really hard, and her just offering, well, let me connect you with my literary agent. And it was just so many things that, like, have happened since then. I've had a lot of rejection with the cookbook proposal, but having someone on your side of being like, I'm rooting for you. I see you, even though I do not look like you, and I'm really writing for you. And so just having that connection, that was luck and it was alignment. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I love that example. Thank you so much for sharing. Okay, before we wrap, please let the girls know where they can find you. If they're not, they're probably already following you. But if they're not, if you have new friends today.

[Alex Hill]

Okay.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Let them know where they can find you.

[Alex Hill]

Just at Hot Sauce on Instagram, Food and Feelings on Substack.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Amazing.

[Alex Hill]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

And we'll link it all in the description.

[Alex Hill]

Link it all. Yay.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Thank you so much for joining me.

[Alex Hill]

Of course. Thank you for having me.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Oh, my gosh. This was so much fun. I hope y' all enjoyed that episode. If you are enjoying the business of you series, please make sure that you're subscribed to. She's so lucky. On Apple, on Spotify, on YouTube. Unlike Beyonce, I don't withhold the visuals. We drop full video episodes Every Tuesday on YouTube. Subscribe so that you don't miss it.

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of she's so Lucky. If you're ready to create your own luck, hit that subscribe button wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube so you don't miss an episode and head to the show Notes for resources, links and discount codes. And if you are really feeling lucky, we would appreciate your rating and your review. It really helps us be able to improve the show, to get great guests and to understand what you want to hear more of. Thank you for tuning in and I'll see you next week.

[Peyton Sartin]

Hi everyone, I'm Peyton Sartin, host of the Note to Self podcast. Note to Self is a space to embrace your unique qualities, get grounded, and ultimately have honest conversation. No topic is off limits. I began doing social media seven years ago and since then I've started a clothing line and this podcast, Note to Self, is a place where people from every stage of life can come for advice, new perspectives, and to feel a little less alone. Whether I'm recording by myself or bringing along a friend, we will explore topics ranging from relationships and mental wellness to social media and entrepreneurship. Tune in to Note to Self every week for the sisterly advice you didn't know you needed and raw conversations you've always wanted.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Please note that this episode may contain

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products

[Podcast Host (Intro/Outro)]

or services referred to in this episode.