Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Thompson.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Food has always been a huge factor that brought my family and friends together. When I was younger, my dad and I were always running around Houston finding new things to try. I even vividly remember crying because I wanted to eat “normal food” every once in a while. Trying new foods and new restaurants was bonding for us. Later in college, I just remember hating the fact that I was in a constant routine. I am one of those people that likes to be spontaneous and doesn’t like getting caught up in the same patterns, so one day I drove 20 minutes from my apartment to try a BBQ place that I found on Google. For some odd reason, I took a picture, made a random account named Dining with Destiny, and posted it. I loved the idea of being able to be a simple source for finding new places to eat at without having to dig through tons of webpages.
After graduating from college, I felt like I had more time to divulge into my brand and make it more prominent in my life. I love the fact that Houston has so much to offer and that I could act as a resource that assists others in getting out of their comfort zone and enjoying new experiences that they may not have been able to find before. Along this journey, I have met incredible people and have had the opportunity to try things out of the ordinary.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road. There were times where I fell victim to comparison, wondering why I didn’t have as many followers or likes as some of the other food bloggers. I also struggled with overloading myself. I have a full-time job, so at times, I find it difficult to incorporate tastings and events into my evening routine (I love sleep). Despite these struggles, I am so thankful to have a support system that keeps me encouraged because this is truly something I love to do regardless of the results.
Please tell us about Dining with Destiny.
Well, Dining with Destiny is an Instagram based food account. My basic duties are to go around Houston to find new dining experiences that I believe are worth trying, take pictures, and spread the word. Recently, Dining with Destiny incorporated a website as a simple resource that can be used to help others find spots to try by both neighborhoods (inside and outside of 610) and meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
I am most proud of the organic growth I’ve seen with my brand. I have made it a mission to always stay true to myself despite what others think, and I have done just that. I have not strayed away from the image I pictured for myself from the beginning and have kept it strictly about the food.
What sets my website apart from others is I did not want it to be a resource that requires a lot of reading to find what you want. I wanted it to be as simple as possible, but in a way that doesn’t belittle the experience. Restaurants are put into their perspective tab and given a star rating, the website, the address, and a quick tip from me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would not do anything differently other than taking myself seriously from the beginning. It was just something I laughed off when it was truly something I enjoyed doing. However, I’m a firm believer that everything happens when it’s supposed to, and this is the perfect timing for me to get serious and put myself out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thediningwithdestiny.com
- Email: diningwithdestiny@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diningwithdestiny/
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