From Hobby to Hustle: How Partially Evolved Turned a Love for Food and Social Media into a Career

For many creators, success on social media begins as an experiment — for Partially Evolved, it began with home movies of his kids. Over a decade ago, he started uploading personal videos to YouTube simply to capture memories, not to build an audience. But what started as a hobby slowly evolved into a career that would reshape his future.

After taking a break from YouTube, he found himself running a car rental business on Turo and turned to Instagram to showcase his vehicles. When that venture ended, his creativity didn’t — instead, he discovered a new passion through food. A few casual food posts later, one restaurant owner reached out with an offer: come try the burgers and make a video. The collaboration wasn’t paid, but it ignited something much bigger.

“The video did well,” he recalls. “I fell in love with it, and from there I knew there could be something here.”

That spark turned into a full-time pursuit. Partially Evolved began reaching out to restaurants across the Inland Empire, helping them showcase their dishes through high-quality short-form video. His portfolio now spans Mexican restaurants, pizza spots, and even national burger chains — all filmed with his distinctive, cinematic storytelling style.

But what truly sets him apart isn’t just his visuals — it’s his commitment to community. “A lot of my stuff is mostly Inland Empire. This is where I grew up, in Fontana. I like the connection I have with the community,” he explains. Local recognition has become part of his brand identity, with business owners and residents alike acknowledging his videos as part of the region’s culture.

Empowering Others Through Content Creation

Despite his growing success, Partially Evolved insists that anyone can do what he does. “If you have a cell phone, you can do it,” he says. His philosophy centers around empowerment — encouraging people to use what’s in their hands to turn passions into profit.

He often shares examples with friends and family. “My brother-in-law loves fishing. I told him — film yourself fishing, film your bait, film your reel, film the location. Brands will notice.” His advice applies to every niche: showcase what you love, stay consistent, and let social media be your gateway to opportunity.

A pivotal moment came when a local marketer, Edgardian of Riverside, reached out. “He was one of the first marketers that saw potential in me,” says Partially Evolved. Through that collaboration, he earned his first paid gigs promoting small businesses. That’s when he realized — content creation wasn’t just a passion; it could be a profession.

Now, he partners with restaurants to increase visibility, customer engagement, and community awareness. “We’re not in paper magazine times anymore,” he explains. “Your visibility is through social media — that’s where people find your business.”

As a proud member of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Partially Evolved believes in collaboration over competition. “Being part of the Chamber legitimizes any business,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to meet other owners, network, and grow together.”

Through the Chamber’s Business Hub, he stays connected with other entrepreneurs and sees firsthand how community-driven marketing creates ripple effects. “If I can help a small business grow, that helps the community. It makes our parks better, our schools better, our local economy stronger.”

He’s even sharing his expertise in an upcoming Chamber workshop focused on social media strategy and AI automations, aiming to help others navigate the same journey more efficiently.

With millions of combined views across client campaigns, Partially Evolved continues to shape the future of local marketing. His goal isn’t just visibility — it’s impact. “Ultimately, I want to help small businesses grow. When they win, the whole community wins.”

For anyone looking to follow in his footsteps, his advice is simple: start where you are, use what you have, and stay consistent.

Follow him on Instagram: @partiallyevolved