Daily Inspiration: Meet Robyn Singer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Singer

Hi Robyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Originally from Houston, I moved from Atlanta to Nashville somewhat on a whim during the height of covid. I loved living in the same city with family (sister, niece, nephew), but I knew I needed a life change. When the opportunity came to move, I decided to take a risk and get out of my comfort zone. When you can’t travel during covid, why not just move to a new city instead! (typical Enneagram 7)

I left my full-time marketing job in February of 2020, covid officially started in March and I moved to Nashville the following July without any sort of business network. While I was looking for jobs, I found myself exploring the city one neighborhood at a time during the day, taking photos of my adventures and experiences.

Just like my move to Nashville, I started my IG account Nashville Noshes on a whim shortly after moving here, mainly as a creative outlet during covid but also as a way to show future employers that I had initiative and the fact that I was a self-starter during a tough job market. What I found was a thriving and kind Nashville foodie community, eager to engage with my content and curation sites on IG that re-shared and showcased my photography with zeal. The icing on the cake was feeling like, in my own small way, that I was helping small businesses during covid when small businesses needed support the most to stay afloat.

I’ve spent most of my career working in advertising (the perfect way to marry my business degree from college + endless, random creative ideas) and I’ve always dabbled in something creative throughout my life whether it was trying my hand at stand-up comedy (the hardest thing I’ve done in life), helping friends with an impromptu family photoshoot or crafting the perfect Halloween costume. (ask me about my taxicab costume)

While I do enjoy the creative and networking aspect of running this account, what I value the most are the people I’ve met, the conversations I’ve have (I thrive off of talking to strangers and really get joy from it) and the small businesses I still feel like I get to help in my own way to this day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My IG account grew quickly garnering 1K followers in less than two months, with static photography only since video hadn’t become popular yet. For me, starting the account was fun and not filled with a lot of pressure. Since I had more free time when I moved to Nashville (aka, in between jobs), I spent the early days crafting more elaborate ways to feature restaurants and local entrepreneurs. My OG followers may remember one of my initial campaigns, #muralmondaymunchies, where I featured a delicious snack from a restaurant in conjunction with a mural close by. While I focus on food/adventure mainly, I love all things creative and try to feature local entrepreneurs in the art and music space as well.

With regards to struggles, account growth plateaued around 5K followers which was frustrating, and it was only when I jumped on the reel video bandwagon that I began to see growth again. At times, it can be challenging to feel like you are putting in a lot of effort to create great content, only for the IG algorithm to decide, ‘nobody is going to see this video today friend.’ With a full-time day job and volunteer commitments, it can also be hard to keep up to date with responding to inquiries (sorry!) and getting content out quick enough sometimes. If anything, I struggle with the pressure I place upon myself to say yes and help everybody which is something I’m trying to manage better.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve worked in advertising for most of my career and I currently work in marketing at a large healthcare company in town. I’ve dabbled in a little bit of everything over the years including TV/video production, copywriting, photography, project management, paid media, brand strategy and more. At this point in my life, I would consider myself a jack of all trades.

I bring a broad level of advertising/marketing experience to Nashville Noshes and the way I think about things, since I try to ensure that I create content with the brand in mind. At the end of the day, I simply focus on making quality, fun content that people/brands may want to consume and share. I also focus on enjoying life and using my sense of humor to bring joy to others, because at the end of the day life is short and we need to laugh people.

With regards to what sets me apart, I do come to the table (pun intended) with waitressing experience which I believe makes me more empathetic to how hard working in the service industry can be. As a result, I’m much more appreciative and patient when dining out. I feel like everybody should work in the service industry at some point in life to really understand how to treat people. Due to my advertising background, I also bring an art director’s eye to my content, as well as the ability to be more strategic about how I post. Additionally, I grew up being exposed to different cuisines and cultures (my immediate family is from Texas, Mexico, Colombia, Africa, Russia, Poland) and as a result I’m very open-minded, inclusive and seek out opportunities to feature diverse businesses on my account.

Beyond my 9 to 5 gig and being a one ‘woman’ show for Nashville Noshes, I am most proud of being able to support two amazing non-profit organizations that I would be remiss not to mention, one being Gilda’s Club of Middle Tennessee which provides free cancer support to those diagnosed, including family and friends. (www.gildasclubmiddletn.org) I am also on the outreach committee for The Giving Kitchen, a groundbreaking organization that provides emergency assistance to food and beverage workers through free financial support and a network of community resources. (www.thegivingkitchen.org) I hope to better leverage my account and following to support both causes. Please ask me how you can get involved with both organizations!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I like all the outdoor opportunities, the music scene, the awesome friends I’ve made (there are a lot of amazing ladies in Nashville) and the growth that is happening in Nashville. For me that means meeting new people, experiencing new cultures and of course more dining options. Fingers crossed for all the Asian eats to come. What do I like the least? The lack of good hole-in-the wall Chinese restaurants, bachelorette parties and the lack of diversity (compared to other bigger cities).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/nashvillenoshes
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillenoshes/?hl=en
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@nashvillenoshes
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nashvillenoshes?_t=8qBIZ3UxUwp&_r=1