Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Valerie @foodiewithoutborders

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

Hello! I’m Valerie, a multi-cultural cocktail!
My family roots are Chinese-Cambodian, but I’m French (born and raised in Paris) and currently live in Stockholm, Sweden together with my Finnish husband. I also lived in London, Shanghai and Helsinki. I currently work in marketing for a global company in the drinks industry.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I am a real food enthusiast. How it all started is that I just love love (love!) to eat and always have (from as far as I can remember)! Maybe something linked to my French Asian background? I also love to cook, experiment with new recipes and find healthy twists to classics. I’m a big breakfast fan: from croissants, to smoothies and chia/oat delicious things.

I also always loved photography (but it used to be more landscapes). Now I’m so happy I found this creative way to combine two passions, in a way that I can practice and enjoy on a daily basis!
So I post mainly about healthy food: only what I made, captured by me.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Foodiewithoutborders was inspired by multi-cultural roots. In a way, I’m from nowhere and everywhere. This reflects in my fusion cooking.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I usually use the existing Instagram filters to enhance my photos before posting them on the platform, but I try to keep my photos as natural as possible. It’s just the style I like.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

There are so many, it’s hard to choose! I love Green Kitchen Stories, DeliciouslyElla and Feastingondragon among so many others. Instagram is an amazing source of inspiration.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Buckwheat walnut mango raw porridge, with coconut milk! My new breakfast favourite: so healthy and tasty.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

When I started on Instagram in February 2016, I really didn’t know what to expect. I started because I got so inspired by what I was seeing on the platform. What surprised me most is the genuine foodie community that I found online: so supportive and kind! From Instagram superstars re-graming me, to the sweetest daily comments on my photos from followers all around the world. It’s just so encouraging and pushes you to always do better.
I also love the global connections you can make: there are really no borders.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Find partners that share the same values and look & feel as your brand. This will allow a genuine integration of your brand in the campaigns.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

It’s tricky to say…Sometimes, photos I love don’t get as much engagement as photos I even hesitated to post! So you never know. But regularly in the quality of your content and consistency are important to build your base.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I have discovered several new brands who approached me. It’s always nice when you find new products that match your needs, values and to be able to be creative with them.