I’ve always been a huge fan of Camilla Bache-Mathiesen’s lifestyle blog, Purpose & Pepper for her mouthwatering healthy eats and drinks, travel inspo and helpful time saving tips. Camilla is also a certified Holistic Health coach. While attending events with fellow local bloggers and social media influencers, Camilla discovered that she could help others realize that change is never too late and that everyone is capable to give back to our earth and environment by spreading the word through their social media platforms. She recently founded Bites With a Purpose to share her love for plant-based foods and how a plant-based diet can positively impact our world. Camilla looks at every meal as an opportunity to fuel herself with high-quality nutrient-dense foods and uses her blog and social media channels as a way to also make a difference in the world. Here’s my 20 Questions With Camilla Bache-Matheisen:
1. How did you get your idea or concept for Bites With A Purpose?
Since I started my education within the field of nutrition and holistic health it has just become more clear to me how food is linked to so many of the challenges we face in the world today. The change in the way the world is moving towards this concept of real food is completely different than the food system the world has today.
This has truly become one of my biggest interests within the field of nutrition. With Bites With a Purpose, I wanted to create a local arena–gathering local influential people to again create understanding for what I like to call the food link. I was inspired by all the socially influential and powerful people I meet in DC and around the world. I strongly believe that when people come together for a cause, great things happen.
Creating an arena where a deeper understanding for all of this can grow, food is important. I wanted to make healthy bites to promote vegetarian and vegan living and I wanted it to be small, nutritious and gorgeous bites. People are visual and esthetics are key when dealing with social media outreach . The fresher and more inviting this event is, the bigger chance of getting attention around the cause on social media, which is part of the goal.
I enjoy raising awareness around the topics I am most passionate about while at the same time inspiring and hopefully teaching my audience a thing or two. That’s how Purpose & Pepper and Bites With A Purpose came to life.
2. What was your mission at the beginning of starting your blog, Purpose & Pepper?
I see Purpose and Pepper as the two core elements of living a beautyFULL life that will make you feel good about yourself. Purpose is to find that some things are bigger than yourself and that to engage in things you care about will make the world a better place for you and others. Pepper is about the things you do to spice up your life and stay motivated. P&P’s mission is to offer you tools to take care of your health and the health of our planet. We seek to inspire with altruism and to take action where you think it’s most needed.
3. How do you advertise both of your businesses?
Through social media, at events and by word of mouth.
4. To what do you attribute your success?
Success means different things to different people. To me it means to work with something meaningful that contributes to the society in a positive way. Being passionate about what you do is key. I have high expectations for Purpose & Pepper and Bites With a Purpose, but I also know that moving slow and steady forward with determination and a focus is the only way to achieve my goals.
5. What are your goals for 2017?
2017 looks to be an exciting year. My goals are to raise awareness through events and collaborations with a variety of local businesses to reach a larger audience. I will spend the year divided in three different countries and continents, so Purpose & Pepper will change a bit as I change. I will still continue to strive to inspire others.
6. What is unique about your business?
We seek to empower you to live a life that contains purpose, substance and tons of joy, your “purpose and pepper”. I hope to inspire you and give a little push in the direction towards a healthier, happier and more engaged you and in that way contribute to the ripple effect that slowly but surely makes life on our planet more sustainable and humane for everyone.
7. What made you choose blogging and giving back?
My heart did! If you can’t stop dreaming about it- do it!
8. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Just do it! I think Nike has one of the most clever slogans ever. Don’t sit on the fence trying to make everything perfect, just go out there and start somewhere. As long as you are determined and hard working it will take you places.
9. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a veterinarian. That was until I realized there are different ways to help animals and other living creatures.
10. What do you wish you knew before you started your first business?
To be more organized during my grown life and put all of my writing and pictures into a system.
11. What did you learn from the worst boss you ever had?
Never push others in front of you, go in front as an good example.
12. How do you use social media?
My main social media platform is Instagram, and I try to post authentic content there almost every day. In addition to that I post on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat as well. I try to limit my social channels and focus on good quality content.
13. How do you find inspiration?
By going out and meeting interesting people from all over the world. Exciting and powerful conversations, good people and creative entrepreneurs inspires me. I’m also a fan of Ted Talks and of course- Instagram.
14. What was the best piece of advice you ever got?
To go out and explore the world and the people in it. To not be afraid of the unknown and different, and choose your own path. Another piece of amazing advice I received was to ask myself if “I wanted to suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret.” It makes the things your debating about, so simple.
15. What’s your productivity secret?
Honestly, it’s to get up early and get things done. I’m a fan of sleeping in, but having a lot done in the AM gives the best feeling.
16. How do you cope with nerves before public speaking?
I get very nervous, so I try to shake things off and focus on being myself. To be more than well prepared is always key.
17. What’s your favorite quote?
“Live less out of habit and more out of intent.”
18. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who almost always see the glass half empty instead of half full.
19. What are your favorite restaurants in the DC area & why?
Busboys and Poets. I love the atmosphere, the concept and the history in the walls. They also have a lot of vegetarian options, which I find great.
20. What are your favorite places to take family & friends when they’re visiting from out of town?
I have a favorite spot behind the Lincoln Memorial, and I like to take my visitors there before nightfall. To me, a good sunset never gets old.
Camilla is a Norwegian expat and has been living, studying and working abroad in Brazil and the US for almost 5 years. She and her husband André are based in Washington DC.
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