Daily Inspiration: Meet Jordan Basham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Basham.

Hi Jordan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Wheretogeaux225 started primarily as a way for me to share food pictures with my friends.

I was following other food influencers and thought I could do what they were doing, try some new food, and maybe meet interesting people. Unfortunately, as I started posting a little more frequently, Covid hit in 2020, and all the restaurants in my area were forced to close down.

As a frequent visitor of restaurants, I was sad to see our local businesses starting to suffer from the shutdown. However, once restaurants started opening up again, I made it a point to share which spots were reopening and selling to-go food. Then when restaurants started opening fully again, I started making my way back and taking more pictures of the food I purchased.

My Instagram page today is filled with pictures of delicious meals like shrimp corndogs, grilled cheese dumplings, and other food guaranteed to make your jaw drop. Through Wheretogeaux225, I have been able to combine my love for supporting the local community and food.

The Instagram account started as a creative outlet. Almost three years later, I have met some incredible people and have had some memorable culinary experiences.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
For the most part, yes. When creating a food blog, you’re essentially putting your opinion of the place you visited out there for the world to see.

But, of course, sometimes your personal opinion isn’t the same as others, and the online community will almost definitely let you know if they disagree. I luckily haven’t had to deal with many online trolls, but I run my Instagram as a place to find POSITIVE reviews.

I’m not into the business of leaving bad reviews on restaurants, and sometimes people don’t think of you as authentic whenever you’re only posting positive spotlights. So whenever I have a terrible experience at a restaurant, I either find one good thing about the restaurant or do not post at all.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of the support that I can provide to whatever local community I’m in.

Since I’ve grown in my following, I have created the ability to persuade people to try certain restaurants and other local businesses that they usually wouldn’t have known about or thought to try.

Whenever I have a local restaurant reach out to me and say, “Our business saw a massive increase over the weekend in sales, and multiple customers mentioned wheretogeaux225,” it is incredible.

It’s crazy to think that a post I created has directly resulted in getting customers in the door at a restaurant or shop.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
It is essential to become selective and more targeted on where and what you spend your money on in uncertain times.

The COVID-19 crisis is making it hard for many businesses to stay afloat. It will have a wide-reaching impact on their local communities if they go under.

Showing support for your local businesses will help them weather this crisis; you’ll also be helping your community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wheretogeaux225.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheretogeaux225
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wheretogeaux225
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wheretogeaux225

Image Credits
Maameefua Kooomson and Kim Medowlark