By: Jamie Taylor
Date: Feb. 18, 2021
We’ve all seen those influencers striking poses with exaggerated expressions, hoping to gain followers and freebies in exchange for exposure. Thousands are hustling hard, dreaming of being self-employed and their own boss. This dream can indeed become a reality with relentless effort. Just look at my partner, known as The Grill Master. He’s garnered nearly a million followers across various social media channels, and it all began with a weathered grill in our backyard. The whole situation is just bizarre.
It all commenced shortly after our first child was born. What started as a small blog aimed at making a bit of extra cash transformed into a full-fledged career. But it didn’t come without challenges. He often cooks up recipes late into the night and spends long hours outdoors preparing ribs and streaming live on Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, the rest of us—myself and our four kids—are shooed upstairs, ensuring we don’t make a sound while he’s broadcasting. He sometimes promises dinner, but it can take an eternity to capture the perfect shot. So, I end up tossing pizza rolls to the kids, who munch on the floor while he focuses on getting that shot just right. He always says, “The camera pays the bills; the camera eats first.” Cue the eye roll.
He has a distinct persona when he’s working. Traveling to events globally alongside some of the biggest names in BBQ, he dresses exclusively in flame-themed attire. Yes, I’m serious. He owns suits, coats, and jackets adorned with flames. These aren’t cheap imitations; they cost a pretty penny, but as he says, they’re business expenses, a tax deduction. He has flame-themed socks, shoes, ties, shirts, sweatshirts, and even swim trunks. The only thing missing are flame boxer briefs, and that’s only because he hasn’t tracked them down yet. He truly embodies the Grill Master brand all the time. At a recent auction for our kids’ school, he wore the flame jacket. I’ll admit, he looked quite dashing. See what I did there? But I drew the line at the pants; half a clown suit is plenty.
Draped in flames, he has become quite recognizable. People remember him, and if you laid eyes on any of his outfits, you wouldn’t forget them easily—the imagery is striking. Even when he’s not in his flamboyant attire, he’s still recognized. A while back, he made numerous local television appearances to promote his blog, well before the flame suit era. One day, while we were having breakfast in a busy café, a guy walked over and said, “Oh wow, you’re the Grill Master! Can I get your autograph?” I was stunned. How crazy is that? We live in St. Louis, where I’d expect folks to chase after Nelly for his signature, not my husband.
To reach this level of success, you need the right space to hone your craft. Our deck is enormous—one reason we chose this house. I envisioned a cozy seating area with bright cushions and an umbrella where I could sip my Diet Coke on a lovely spring day. Instead, he constructed a massive grill corral that doubles as a studio for his shoots. It’s equipped with special lighting, photographers, videographers, and even a production assistant. It can take all day, sometimes an entire weekend, to showcase what those grills can do. Currently, there are seven grills outside! Smokers, gas grills, and even a giant rotisserie that could roast a whole hog. And he has three more that need assembly in the garage. All these are client grills, either he’s cooking on them or managing their social media accounts. He collaborates with people from all over the world—Europe, Australia, and even Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He’s genuinely legit.
When this journey began, nobody could have predicted how successful he would become. It feels like an American Dream scenario, and on many days, I find it hard to believe. It’s as if we’re living in a parallel universe. When people inquire about his profession, I sometimes feel embarrassed. Saying your partner is a social media influencer can sound cliché. I mean, anyone can claim that, right? But for him, it’s his reality. He genuinely does this every single day and works harder than anyone in a conventional nine-to-five job. It’s bizarre yet incredibly cool. And next time we head out for a fancy dinner, I’ll proudly stand beside him, looking like he’s on fire. Who knows, I might even find a flaming hot clutch to match.
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Summary:
In the world of social media, my partner, known as The Grill Master, has built a successful career as a full-time influencer, amassing nearly a million followers. What began as a small blog after our first child’s birth has evolved into an elaborate operation, complete with a flame-themed wardrobe and multiple grills for cooking and content creation. Despite the bizarre nature of this lifestyle, it’s a rewarding journey that’s transformed our lives.
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