Rising Stars: Meet Catie Smith of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Catie Smith.

Hi Catie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my foodie Instagram back in 2017. At the time, it was actually called “A Dash of Passion,” which tied into a food and cooking blog that I had launched. I quickly realized that while I loved food, I didn’t necessarily love blogging. What I did enjoy was taking photos of my meals – because let’s be honest, phone always eats first – and sharing restaurant discoveries with friends and family, as well as my own creations.

Over time, the account evolved into what is now “Food in the Cincy.” While I still love documenting great meals, my “why” has slightly shifted. Today, I do it because I genuinely enjoy discovering new local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and hidden gems, and helping spread the word about them.

One thing people may not realize is how difficult it is to run a restaurant or a bar. Owners and operators are juggling staffing, inventory, rising costs, customer service, and countless other responsibilities. On top of all that, theyre expected to become marketers too. Many are constantly approached by influencers asking for compensation in exchange for coverage, which is fine for those who do it, but that has never been what my account is about.

I share places because I believe in supporting local businesses and helping them succeed. If I have a great experience somewhere, I want to tell people about it. If a post helps introduce someone to their new favorite restaurant or helps a local business gain a few new customers, that’s a win in my book. What started as a hobby has become a way for me to support the local food community and celebrate the people who make our region’s (and beyond) dining scene so special.

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?
Like most passion projects, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. When I started in 2017, I had no idea what direction the account would take. It began as an extension of a food blog, then evolved into sharing restaurant experiences, and eventually became a platform focused on supporting local businesses. Figuring out that evolution took time (and still does).

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing it with my full-time career. Food in the Cincy has always been something I do because I love it, not because it’s my job. There are times when it can feel overwhelming to keep up with content, visit new places, engage with followers, and stay consistent while also managing a busy professional career and personal life. Sometimes getting on Instagram to post is the LAST thing I want to do at the end of the day.

Another challenge has been navigating the rise of influencer culture. My goal has never been to get compensation from the businesses or from Instagram. I started the account because I genuinely enjoy discovering that next great meal and sharing it with others. Sometimes that approach is different from what people expect in the social media world, but I’ve stayed true to it because authenticity matters to me.

That said, the rewards have far outweighed the challenges. I’ve met incredible owners, fellow food lovers throughout the Cincinnati region, and have been able to experience some pretty cool things. Seeing a small business repost my content, thank me for coming int or hearing from a follower who discovered their new favorite place because of my posts makes all the effort worthwhile.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I serve as Marketing Director for the Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville & Cleveland markets for Colliers (a commercial real estate firm), where I lead marketing strategy, branding, communications, research initiatives and business development support. I’ve been with Colliers since 2017, starting as a Marketing Specialist and growing into a leadership role that allows me to help shape how our brokers, clients, and communities experience the Colliers brand.

What I specialize in is turning complex information into compelling stories. Whether it’s helping a brokerage team win a major assignment, positioning our professionals as market experts, launching a new initiative, or translating market research into meaningful insights, I enjoy finding the story and strategy behind the message.

Over the years, I’ve built a reputation for being both strategic and hands-on. I believe great marketing isn’t just about making something look good… It’s about understanding your audience, solving problems, and creating tools and messaging that drive results. My background in marketing, communications, design, public relations, and content strategy has allowed me to bridge the gap between creativity and business objectives.

What I’m most proud of is the team and culture we’ve built. Marketing in commercial real estate often happens behind the scenes, but our work plays a critical role in helping our brokers succeed and elevating our company’s presence in the marketplace. Seeing team members grow in their careers, implementing processes that improve efficiency, and helping position our offices as industry leaders has been incredibly rewarding.

I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely enjoy both the creative and strategic sides of marketing. I’m just as comfortable developing a long-term brand strategy as I am rolling up my sleeves to create content, design a presentation, manage a campaign, or tackle a last-minute challenge. I’ve never believed in staying in one lane, and that curiosity has allowed me to continuously learn, adapt, and bring new ideas to the table.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I really don’t consider myself a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Most of the risks I’ve taken have been calculated ones… situations where there wasn’t a guaranteed outcome, but I believed the potential reward outweighed the fear of failure.

One of the biggest risks I took was early in my career. I didn’t come from a graphic design background, but I found myself working in a role where design skills were becoming increasingly important. Instead of accepting that limitation, I taught myself Adobe Creative Suite, spent countless hours learning, and volunteered for projects that pushed me outside my comfort zone. There were definitely moments where I felt like I was figuring things out as I went, but those experiences ultimately helped shape my career and opened doors that may not have otherwise existed.

Another risk was putting myself out there publicly through Foodie in the Cincy. It started as a simple hobby, but anytime you create content and share your opinions publicly, you’re opening yourself up to criticism and scrutiny. Thankfully, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive, but there is still vulnerability in putting your work and personality out into the world.

Professionally, stepping into leadership roles has also required taking risks. Every promotion comes with new responsibilities, challenges, and expectations. There have been opportunities where I didn’t have every answer on day one, but I’ve learned that confidence isn’t about knowing everything… it’s about trusting that you can figure it out.

My perspective on risk has evolved over time. I used to think successful people took giant leaps. Now I think most success comes from consistently taking small, intentional risks: raising your hand for a project, speaking up with an idea, learning a new skill, or saying yes to an opportunity before you feel completely ready. Those small decisions tend to compound into something much bigger over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cwdesignsite.com/
• Instagram: @foodieinthecincy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodieinthecincy
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsacatherine/