Today we’d like to introduce you to Madelyn Varela
Hi Madelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been in the cheese business all of my adult life. I started working at Farmstead Creameries right out of High School. At the time, I wanted to start a goat dairy farm, so to gain experience, I decided to work at farms instead of going to school. I loved working with the goats. Farming was hard work, but it was good and rewarding work! While learning how to manage livestock, I started making cheese with the milk we collected from the animals, and I instantly fell in love with cheese making! I started working less with the animals and more with cheese; I eventually learned how to make all different types of cheese commercially, from fresh goat cheese to cheddar, brie, blue, and so much more. By the time I turned 21, I could tell I was getting a bit burnt out. As much as I loved cheese making, it can be long hours and an inflexible schedule, and I wanted to travel while I was still young, so I decided to use my in-depth knowledge of cheese making and pivot my career to the retail side of the industry. So, I moved to Cleveland and got a job managing a small cheese shop in Shaker Heights. After working at the cheese shop for a time, I recognized that our customers were a bit overwhelmed with all of the options in our case, so I wanted to find a way to connect to our clientele with all the different options quickly. One day, I just got the idea to set up a tripod and make short but informative videos that I would post to TikTok and Instagram, and that is how @cheezytalkwithmadelyn was born. I had no idea that my videos would resonate with so many people let alone reach as many as it has! I always get comments saying I’ve helped others try new cheeses and made them feel less afraid. It is truly one of my greatest joys when someone tells me they went out, got a cheese, and loved it after watching one of my videos. My goal and mission in life is to get cheese into the hands of everyday people and help it feel more approachable to the masses. My motto is cheese is for everyone, and that is something I live by.
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?
I think the biggest challenge was when the original cheese shop I was managing closed down, and I got a management position at a different store where I was not allowed to film while I worked. I had to make a change and quickly, so I did something that I never thought I would do, which was to reach out to different cheese makers around the country to hope and see if they would send me their cheese in exchange for a review that I would film at home. I honestly wasn’t expecting anyone to respond. You know, I was asking for free products and shipping which isn’t cheap, and at the time, I only had 30,000 followers on TikTok, but to my surprise, I received many responses. This change was a blessing in disguise, because I have made so many great connections in the cheese world and many that I would now consider my friends.
We’ve been impressed with cheezytalkwithmadelyn, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Through my social media platform @cheezytalkwithmadelyn I provide videos showcasing cheese from all over the world and how to pair and eat them. My main focus is to highlight American made cheese and to support and uplift American cheese makers. There are a couple different cheese influencers on the scene but the feedback that I get the most of is that the cheese is always front and center which has set me apart from other creators in my niche!
What’s next?
I am honestly just seeing where the world takes me and cheezy talk at the moment. It feels like every week I’m presented with new and exciting opportunities. I do, however, plan on publishing a book about cheese in the near future!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheezytalkwithmadelyn?igsh=NjdsMjdneHYyb2Ry&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheezytalkwithmadelyn?_t=ZT-8uV2uPw7Wgs&_r=1
