Being influenced in this day and age of the internet can feel like a slippery slope. The odds are definitely not slim that you’ll find a creator you really like who may, in time, begin to peddle products they don’t believe in. But as a publication steeped in the special quality people add to spaces—the webscape of social media included—we think influencers get a bad rap.
There are always two sides to the coin of being influenced and having influence. There’s security in having someone try out that new seafood restaurant before you spend your money there, or in getting a glimpse through the lens of someone else’s camera of scenes happening in the community right outside your door. Influencers offer us the benefit of taking or leaving what they offer on their pages, if nothing else, in the hopes that they’ve given something new for their followers to feast their eyes on.
You may not be totally immersed in a community without being intimately, although unintentionally, familiar with the cast of characters that make it up. One way to get to the hub of current culture in your city is to follow the people who do the legwork of finding out what’s new, what’s happening or what’s worth supporting on a local scale. These accounts are glimpses into the world of local influencing in the Coastal Bend, from food and drink to art and culture and beyond.
Local TX Foodie
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Haily Wilson (@localtxfoodie) roots her page in “genuine curiosity and connection” when it comes to representing the cuisine offered by local restaurants and businesses. Capturing the spirit of a place and its food in her reels, Wilson’s content encourages followers to support small businesses, eat local, try new things and explore the city we call home with each new meal.
Texas Food Explorer
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Christa Marie, better known as Texas Food Explorer (@texasfoodexplorer), is an award-winning travel and food blogger who welcomes followers across the globe to her page as she traverses new places and experiences. Her feed is a colorful foray into the world, whether trying viral foods or international travel vlogs, bringing a refreshing dose of escapism to anyone scrolling through her adventures. Based in Corpus Christi, her feed is perfectly split between local gems and finds elsewhere.
Candy Andy
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Candy Andy (@officialcandyandy361) has more personality packed into its page than one would likely expect from the average snack shack, all thanks to the vision of owner Andrew Muñoz and his team. Toting a healthy following across socials, Candy Andy’s page, much like its menu, gives a little something for everybody; food posts to guest appearances from a wide range of Texas influencers.
Sweet Life Bake
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The art of food editing and content lives in Vianney Rodriguez’s (@sweetlifebake) page. A professional recipe developer, food editor and published author, Rodriguez showcases innovative Tex-Mex-inspired recipes and food experiences that may leave followers wanting seconds (and thirds).
CC Restaurant Lover
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For the unabashed devotee of eating outside the house, CC Restaurant Lover (@ccrestaurantlover) gives followers an accessible and considerate look into the many small businesses serving up deliciousness in the Coastal Bend. This page has a little something for everyone, from adventurous eaters to those just looking for a reliable new place to add to their weekly takeout rotation.
CC Foodstagram
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Local Realtor Katlyn Crisman (@ccfoodstagram) dedicates time outside work and family to providing consistent and reliable food recommendations for your feed. Amid posts of local favorites and newer, up-and-coming restaurants, a clear message emerges: Eat local.
Jaclyn Blohm
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Lifestyle and everyday joy in the Coastal Bend are the co-stars of Jaclyn Blohm’s (@jaclynblohm) page, which stands as a pillar in the art of local influencing. Blohm mixes content centered on self and community across her posts—personal wellness, small businesses and area endeavors.
Clarissa Serna
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Clarissa Serna (@clarissaserna) wears many hats, including but not limited to: musician, mom, Realtor, “Coastal Currents” co-host and all-around household name in the Coastal Bend. Using her platform to promote self-confidence, authenticity, local events, ways to get out with the family and more, Serna’s page is a staple of fun and lifestyle in Corpus Christi.
EvanaElysa Hair
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A trailblazer in hair and social media influencing, Evana Reyna (@evanaelysahair) shares glimpses into her career as a professional stylist, brand ambassador and local business owner. Her page is a master class in feed curation and authenticity married with all things hair education and styling.
Caitlin Shook
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“Bad Blonde” and co-owner of The Annex, Caitlin Shook (@the_bad_blonde_cars) tells the story of cars and their owners with a focus on the fun and richness of automotive history. Although made with the intention of enticing other gearheads, Shook said her goal is to “enthrall with the automotive history in a way that hopefully captures an admiration for cars in even casual followers.”
CC Dog Mama
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Putting the needs of the furry community at the forefront is CC Dog Mama’s (@cc_dogmama) mission. Featuring a plethora of dog-friendly activities in the Coastal Bend, CC Dog Mama is a necessary and easy follow for anyone looking for places to post up with their pooch.
