Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Campbell.
Cindy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From Passion Project to Regional Platform: The Story of Taste the Spotlight
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down dining rooms, many local restaurants were at risk of closing their doors forever. That’s when Cindy Campbell created Taste of Stark—a simple online group designed to connect restaurants with the community during their most uncertain days.
What started as a grassroots effort quickly became the region’s largest and most engaged food-based platform. In its very first 24 hours, the group welcomed more than 3,000 members. Today, it continues to grow by nearly 100 new members every week, now totaling almost 35,000.
For over five years, Cindy has worked to keep it authentic—personally vetting members, removing fake profiles, and ensuring it stays a trusted, local-first community.
The Launch of Taste the Spotlight
In 2024, Cindy took her mission one step further by launching Taste the Spotlight, a monthly feature highlighting one restaurant at a time. The idea came after encouragement from her boyfriend, who urged her to take this passion “off autopilot and take flight.”
At the time, Cindy wasn’t producing videos—just posts, photos, and in-person visits. But shortly after the series launched, a professional film crew reached out. Although being on camera wasn’t her comfort zone, she felt called to step into the opportunity.
“Sometimes God places us in uncomfortable positions to align us with a bigger purpose,” Cindy shares.
More Than Just Video
The production team behind Taste the Spotlight brings professional backgrounds in video, analytics, and marketing. Their work is not just about creating content but providing restaurants with digital assets—photography, video, and promotional support—they can use long after the spotlight fades.
Each feature also includes monthly Gift Card Giveaways, which help grow restaurants’ social media followings with real, local audiences—not fleeting “influencer” hype.
In 2025, the project expanded to include the Spotlight Snippet Series, a shorter-format option. Both series are fully booked through September, with limited openings October–December.
Building Loyalty, Not Just Buzz
What sets Taste the Spotlight apart is its focus on long-term community connection. While influencers often generate one-time traffic, Cindy’s approach helps restaurants foster repeat business through storytelling and authentic engagement.
This strategy has also carried over to TikTok and Instagram, both of which have shown steady, meaningful growth since launching in 2024.
The Professional Behind the Platform
Unlike many who label themselves as “content creators,” Cindy brings decades of professional experience to the table. With 30 years in marketing—including serving as Marketing Director for a corporate hospital system and a regional architecture firm—plus formal training from the Pittsburgh Art Institute, she combines creativity with strategy.
She’s also worked for years as a freelance graphic designer, helping restaurants and small businesses with branding, social media, menus, and promotions. That work is what originally sparked the idea for Taste of Stark—a space that has now grown into one of the most trusted restaurant platforms in Northeast Ohio.
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?
My journey with Taste the Spotlight has been really rewarding, but it hasn’t been without challenges. I’ll be honest—being in front of the camera was not comfortable for me at first. It took a lot of patience and practice to overcome that fear, but now I really enjoy it.
Logistically, the biggest challenge is coordinating schedules—getting the film crew and the restaurant aligned on the same date and time. That can be tricky, but with planning, it always works out.
And, of course, there’s one unexpected challenge: all the incredible food! I’ll admit, I’ve definitely gained a few pounds enjoying everything we feature—but I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Taste the Spotlight, we specialize in telling authentic, community-driven stories about local restaurants through professional video, photography, and promotional support. What sets us apart is not just the content we create—it’s my background in marketing combined with my artistic capabilities. That blend allows us to craft visually compelling storytelling that truly highlights each restaurant’s personality and brand.
I’m most proud of the creative side of my work, like a drawing I did of the McKinley Monument here in Canton, which has won art contests and even been featured on Arts in Stark postcards. Bringing that same attention to detail and artistry to our restaurant features is incredibly rewarding, and it’s what helps our restaurants stand out in a crowded market.
Ultimately, our focus is on building long-term community engagement and loyalty, helping restaurants grow real connections with their patrons, not just short-term buzz.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe the qualities that have been most important to my success are being driven, goal-oriented, and having a genuine belief in the good in people. I’m passionate about helping restaurants share their story with a wide audience and connecting them with thousands of potential new customers.
I also love meeting new people—building relationships and learning their unique stories is what makes this work so rewarding. Those connections are really at the heart of Taste the Spotlight and everything we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TasteOfStark.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/taste_of_stark
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BQuKwgJVD/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/tastethespotlight
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taste.of.stark
