3 Key Takeaways from Food52’s April ‘Nobody Cares’ Event

I finally attended one of Food52's Nobody Cares fireside chats! Erika Ayers Badan, the current CEO of Food52 and former CEO of Barstool Sports, leads a monthly series of talks about blazing your own trail at work, based on her book Nobody Cares About Your Career. In April, she sat down with Happypop™ founders Maya French and Dustin Baker to share a behind-the-scenes look at the hustle and grit it took to start a business right in their apartment. Among the topics we covered over spicy pineapple margaritas were career pivots, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, and the power of dopamine.

Career Pivots

As a business professional who has spent her entire career in legal marketing, I’m always intrigued to hear about marketing jobs and sales roles in other industries. Shifting your mindset to a skill-centric approach when navigating the job market is such a game-changer. Making this shift has opened up so many opportunities for me! I’ve been taking on project-based roles that allow me to explore new industries and experiment with different jobs while I’m in transition.

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Having an entrepreneurial spirit is a quality that many interviewers look for in potential hires. I spoke with so many freelancers and consultants who either just went in-house for the first time or were returning to a traditional corporate role. These conversations made me realize that consulting is just as valuable a learning experience as working at a company. Upon reflecting, I’m learning more revenue growth skills that can contribute to my future business development roles as a “sales enabler,” whether working with lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, or any other service provider.

Dopamine

Simply put, dopamine is a chemical in the brain that helps you feel happy. It's often referred to as a "feel-good" neurotransmitter because it's released when experiencing pleasure, motivation, or reward. Dopamine is also the main ingredient in Happypop, a sparkling energy drink fueled by organic caffeine. It was interesting to hear the behind-the-scenes product development of one of these drinks because I’m constantly trying new canned beverages. And because I’m such an IP nerd, I especially enjoyed hearing about the trial and error of the label designing and brand partnership strategies.

Event Recap

Food 52 also shared 5 Lessons on Energy, Feedback & Hustle to recap April’s Nobody Cares event. Staying open to chance encounters has to be the most important takeaway for me, as I explore different career paths and meet new creatives and business professionals. Hope to connect with you at an upcoming Nobody Cares event!