We’ve all encountered those influencers striking poses with exaggerated facial expressions and asking for freebies in exchange for a shoutout. The internet is filled with individuals hustling to be their own boss and live the dream. It’s possible to achieve success with determination and hard work. Just ask my partner, whom I affectionately call The Grill Master. With nearly a million followers across various social media platforms, his journey began with an old grill in our backyard. It’s honestly quite surreal.
What started as a simple blog shortly after the arrival of our first child has transformed into a full-fledged career. However, it wasn’t a walk in the park. He often finds himself crafting new recipes late at night and spending hours outside in the cold grilling ribs and going live on Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, the rest of us—me and our four kids—are confined to the second floor to maintain the illusion of a peaceful household. We can’t make a sound while he’s filming. Sometimes he promises dinner, but it takes ages to get the perfect shot, so I end up popping some pizza rolls in the oven, and the kids munch away on the floor while he captures the ideal image. He always says, “The camera pays the bills; the camera eats first.” Cue the eye roll.
When he’s in work mode, he transforms into this larger-than-life persona. He travels to BBQ events worldwide, always clad in flame-themed clothing. I’m not kidding—he owns suits and jackets that are literally covered in flames. And these aren’t cheap items; they cost hundreds of dollars, but as he claims, it’s all a business expense. He has socks, shoes, ties, shirts, sweatshirts, and even a pair of flame-printed swim trunks. The only thing missing is boxer briefs, which he just hasn’t found yet. He truly embodies the Grill Master every single day. We even attended a school auction where he sported his flame jacket, and I must admit, he looked quite dapper. But I put my foot down when it came to the pants; half a clown suit is plenty!
As the man dressed in flames, he’s become quite recognizable. People remember him—if you saw his outfits, you wouldn’t forget either. Yet even when he’s not in his “costume,” people still know who he is. There was this one time when he was doing local TV segments promoting his blog, and his face was everywhere. We were having breakfast in a crowded restaurant one morning when a man crossed the room just to ask for his autograph. I was stunned. How crazy is that? We live in St. Louis, and I expect people to chase down Nelly for an autograph, not my husband!
To excel in this field, you need the right space to hone your skills. Our deck is enormous, which was a major factor in our decision to buy our house. I envisioned a cozy seating area with bright cushions and a matching umbrella to enjoy my Diet Coke on a beautiful spring day. Instead, he turned it into an elaborate grill corral that serves as his studio. There’s specialized lighting, photographers, videographers, and even a production assistant. It can take all day—and sometimes an entire weekend—to showcase what these grills can do. We currently have seven grills outside, with three more waiting to be assembled in the garage. These aren’t just any grills; they are clients’ equipment, either paying him to cook on them or manage their social media. He collaborates with people from all over the globe—Europe, Australia, and even Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He’s truly legit.
When this journey began, no one could have predicted how successful he would become. It feels like an American Dream scenario. Many days, I still find it hard to believe. It’s as if we’re living in a parallel universe. When people ask what he does, I sometimes cringe. Saying that your partner is a social media influencer sounds so cliché. Anyone can do that, right? But for him, it’s his reality. He genuinely puts in the effort every single day, working harder than anyone with a typical nine-to-five job. It’s bizarre yet incredibly cool. And the next time we go out for a fancy dinner, I’ll proudly stand next to him, looking like he’s on fire. Who knows, I might even find a flaming hot clutch to match!
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Summary:
Navigating life with a partner who is a full-time social media influencer can be a unique experience. From late-night recipe development to elaborate grilling setups, this journey has transformed into a remarkable success story. Despite the quirks and challenges, there’s a sense of pride in witnessing their hard work pay off.