Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Mathews.
Hi Dominique, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into content creation started in 2021 when I decided to share my love for cooking online. At the time, I was following a vegan lifestyle, so I created vegan recipes for myself while also making traditional meals for my family.
Ironically, I never planned on becoming a content creator. My mom had started making social media videos, and watching her sparked my curiosity. One day, I decided to give it a try myself. My very first TikTok only got around 80 views, but instead of getting discouraged, I kept posting and learning with every video. Not long after, one of my vegan “seafood” boil videos went viral on Facebook, reaching over one million views, and that motivated me to keep going.
As my life changed, so did my content. I eventually transitioned back to a non-vegan lifestyle, and my recipes naturally evolved with me. Today, Life With Aubrey is all about approachable, family-friendly recipes, comfort food, budget-friendly meals, and inspiring people to enjoy cooking at home!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. While there have been some incredible highs along the way, this journey has also come with its share of challenges. Each season has taught me something different and has played a role in shaping both who I am as a creator and the business I’m continuing to build.
A major turning point came when I was laid off from my corporate job after nearly 10 years in 2024. During my job search, I submitted more than 100 job applications but only landed one interview. It was frustrating, but over time I began to see it as redirection rather than rejection. Looking back, I believe God was opening a different door and leading me to fully invest in myself and the business I had already been building.
Another challenge was putting myself out there. I’m naturally an introvert, so when I first started creating content, I stayed behind the camera. My videos were simply recipes with music playing in the background because that felt comfortable. As my content evolved, I started recording voiceovers, but I still wasn’t showing my face. It wasn’t until I landed a brand partnership that required me to be on camera that I finally stepped outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I’m so glad I did because it helped me become more confident and allowed my audience to connect with me on a more personal level.
I’ve also had to learn not to chase every trend or let the numbers define my success. Not every video is going to go viral, and that’s okay. Some of my favorite videos haven’t been my most viewed, but seeing people recreate my recipes, tag me in their posts, and tell me how much their families enjoyed them is what keeps me going. I truly cook with love, and knowing that my recipes are making it onto someone else’s dinner table is more rewarding than any view count. That’s what inspires me to keep creating, and it reminds me that this journey goes far beyond the numbers.
Being a content creator is about so much more than posting videos. Behind the scenes, there’s pitching to brands, negotiating contracts, managing deadlines, building relationships, and treating content creation like a business. It hasn’t always been easy, but each challenge has helped me become a more confident creator and entrepreneur.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create food content that’s centered around making cooking feel approachable, enjoyable, and realistic for home cooks and for those who are just learning their way around the kitchen. Whether I’m sharing a simple weeknight dinner, making bread from scratch, or sharing meals from my “What’s for Dinner?” and “Meals for Under $25” series, my goal is always the same: to show that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to turn my passion into a career by publishing two digital cookbooks and partnering with brands like Ziploc, Cheetos, Doritos, and Land O’Frost, just to name a few. Those opportunities have been incredible milestones, but what I’m most proud of is the community I’m building and the fact that I’ve been able to position myself to do something I genuinely love every single day.
I think what sets me apart is that I create content that’s true to who I am. I don’t cook recipes just because they’re trending, I cook meals that I genuinely make for my own family and recipes I believe other families will enjoy too. My hope is that when someone watches one of my videos, they leave feeling inspired, confident, and excited to try something new in their own kitchen.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is simple: just go for it!
There have been so many moments where I wanted to give up. I remember having a conversation with my mom and telling her that as badly as I wanted to quit, I couldn’t. If I stopped, I’d never get to see the fruit of all the hard work I’d already put in. That conversation has stayed with me ever since, and it’s something I still remind myself of whenever things get hard.
The truth is, most people don’t fail because they aren’t talented, they stop. They quit when things get hard, when the views are low, when the opportunities aren’t coming, or when it feels like nothing is happening. But I’m a firm believer that your breakthrough could be on the other side of the season you’re most tempted to give up in.
So if you’re just getting started, don’t let fear, slow progress, or comparison convince you to quit. Progress isn’t always obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Trust God’s timing, keep showing up, and don’t quit before you get to see what He’s been preparing you for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithaubrey_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithaubreyc
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithaubrey_
