Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Chinchilla
Corinne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Ireland and met my husband (who is from Utah) in Guatemala where we lived for almost 4 years. In 2018, we moved to Utah and got married. This started my immigration process in the USA. Unable to work while the paperwork was processed, I started @slcfoodscene on Instagram as a fun hobby that would allow me to explore the city and meet new people. I made my first local friends through the @brunchbitchesslc Instagram Page (I’m still hoping they bring this back), have eaten out at so many yummy restaurants, and met some amazing chefs and business owners along the way. What started as a hobby, turned into a social media management business (Hone Your Social) once my greencard was processed, and that led me to my dream job now at ThriveHive where I help other women turn their corporate experience into consulting businesses.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Moving to new country, starting a business, navigating the immigration process, and building a life in Utah has had its challenges. There was definitely an element of culture shock moving here from Ireland but I have been lucky enough to have met some amazing friends along the way that have supported me. A few of the challenges that come to mind are:
– Submitting bucketloads of paperwork about every element of my life to become a US Resident and later a Citizen
– Trying not to burn my pale Irish skin in the desert sun every summer
– Learning to love the snow in the winter (I’m an avid skiier now)
– Balancing my day job with my @slcfoodscene account
– Learning to drive on the other side of the road
– Making new friends as an adult
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have worn many hats throughout my career. I am a qualified Speech and Language Therapist but after university, I decided to travel instead of starting my career right away. My travels led me to Guatemala where I settled into the non-profit world. I’ve always know I wouldn’t fit into the rigid structure of corporate life, so when I moved to the US, my @slcfoodscene hobby turned into an entrepreneurial venture and I started supporting local businesses with their social media management. After 4 years of running my own business, one of my clients asked me to join their team full-time. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse and one I was so excited about! Some people might think that closing your business down to go and work for someone else is a failure – but I don’t. I am so proud that I was able to build a business from scratch while supporting local businesses. My venture into entrepreneurship opened doors for me that I wouldn’t never have had otherwise and I am now working at ThriveHive where I support other female entrepreneurs to leave Corporate America behind and start their own consulting businesses. This job is the perfect balance for me – it encompasses a mission I believe in, and allows me to use my Zone of Genius every day at work as I help these women find freedom after corporate.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice would be to enjoy what you do. Don’t take anything too seriously, post what you want to post, create what you want to create, step into your strengths, find your voice, and the opportunities will come.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @slcfoodscene
