Omi Hopper of Cooking with Omi Hopper: How Embracing Your Authentic Roots and Carefree Creativity Can Build a Million-Follower Brand

Being vulnerable and authentic are some of today’s popular buzzwords. It may seem counterintuitive to be vulnerable, as many of us have been taught to project an air of confidence, be a boss, and act like we know everything. In Brene Brown’s words, “vulnerability takes courage.” So is vulnerability a strength or a weakness? Can someone be authentic without being vulnerable? How can being authentic and vulnerable help someone grow both personally and professionally? In this interview series, we are talking to business leaders, mental health professionals and business and life coaches who can share stories and examples of “How Authenticity and Vulnerability Pay Off and Help You Win Personally and Professionally.” As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Omi Hopper.

Best known as CookingConOmi across her socials, Omi Hopper made the leap from a successful makeup artist to a TikTok cooking star within a matter of months at the start of the pandemic and has built an entire Cooking Con Omi brand only in the last few years. Currently a contestant on Next Level Chef on Fox with Chef Gordon Ramsay, Omi is continuously inspiring the world with her dishes and vibrant personality.

Born in Rio Grande Puerto Rico, Omi moved to Providence, Rhode Island at the age of 11. She fondly remembers the summers she spent at her grandparents’ farm in Puerto Rico and wanted to keep those traditions alive for herself and her own children.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you please share your story of who you are and what has brought you to where you are today.

My name is Omi Hopper, and I am the creator of Cooking with Omi Hopper. I started cooking comida criolla in the middle of the pandemic. As a mom, I was going crazy over zoom calls with all my boys, cooking three meals a day — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes more. I wanted to find a way to connect with people outside and feel like I was doing something productive. I wanted to share my authentic Puerto Rican dishes with the world. And look where that has taken me!

Where has it taken you, Omi?

Here we are, 2.5 years later, and we now have almost a million followers across platforms. So many exciting collaborations that I have been a part of, brand deals, and interviews like this. It’s so exciting, and I am honored to be here.

It’s our pleasure to have you here. Omi. What inspires you when you cook? What gets you going in the kitchen?

You know, I have always been inspired by tradition. Women have always inspired me in my life. I grew up around the Garcias: my aunts, my mom, and my grandmother, the matriarchs who were just remarkable women in the kitchen. They loved the kitchen, were always dancing and having fun, and I was always the little girl in the corner peeking to see what they were doing, being nosy, wanting to know everything. They are my inspiration in the kitchen. I take after them, put on some music, dance, and end up with a great meal every time.

I love that. Nothing like a meal and good music, right?

Yes, you have to dance. If you are not having fun in the kitchen, your food is not going to taste as good. I promise to cook with soul, right?

What’s a favorite recipe of yours? Something that you love to cook, something that brings that tradition and inspiration to you and those around you?

For me, arroz con gandules is suitable for any occasion. I remember sitting down and peeling the pigeon peas from the tree with my grandfather. I remember my grandmother cutting the plantain leaves from the tree and placing them on top of the rice so the rice could have that beautiful aroma. This is a dish that brings me back home every time.

Do your kids enjoy it?

Yeah, my boys enjoy it every time. If they could have it their way, they would always go to McDonald’s, which is frustrating. Having a mom who is on a cooking show is overrated for them. But when I cook, especially when it’s a meal they love, they have it every time. I love that.

And speaking of family, you have a big family to feed. Let’s talk about managing a successful business and managing a family. How does that work? Please give us some tips on how to balance it all.

I make it work but not independently. I have a fantastic partner. I have a husband who is hands-on and has always been so supportive since day one. He has always told me he has been my number one fan.

We have been together for 20 year, and, even though this isn’t anything I have ever done in my life previously, he has always stood by me. He is the person that makes it happen for the world to see me cooking.

The way that I balance it now is I have set days for filming and editing, and everything else gets put on hold.

My boys come first. There’s so much of their life that I missed out on before Cooking with Omi because I was a makeup artist for ten years. I was working two jobs, and all the back and forth and driving everywhere, I never had the time to sit and enjoy them. That’s why time is so fleeting. I’m very grateful for this opportunity.

You have been on an incredible journey for only a couple of years. Can you talk to us about the discomfort of stepping out of your comfort zone and leaving a world that was very different from the one you live in now?

It’s interesting that you asked that because, as a makeup artist, I was very reserved. I tried to tame who I was because I was afraid that if clients truly knew me, they wouldn’t hire me. But in the kitchen, I feel like I can genuinely be myself. I can have my “senora vibes,” channeling my grandmother’s spirit and whipping up meals like an 85-year-old woman. Cooking makes me so happy and carefree. Coming home gave me the opportunity to be completely carefree, and the fact that I film everything on my phone helps me connect with my audience as if I’m talking to them face-to-face.

I recently went to the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City and encountered my viewers face-to-face for the first time. The amount of gratitude and impact I had on them was something I didn’t realize before. Now, there is a weight to it. I remain carefree and still able to share my recipes with love and care.

Being authentic has brought me a sense of peace that I didn’t have before. It has empowered me and my community, and it impacts a whole other generation. Even though I don’t only cook Puerto Rican food, I represent Puerto Rican culture and traditions, and I want to keep them alive for future generations.

One father once thanked me for teaching him to cook the recipes that his wife used to cook for their boys before she passed away from cancer. It’s connections like these that touch my soul and make it no longer just about making videos, but about a purpose. Living authentically and on purpose is a beautiful thing.

What good do you think you’re doing for the world?

I believe I am inspiring and bringing Puerto Rican traditions to people around the world, whether they live in Puerto Rico or abroad. The movement that I see through cooking with me is one of empowerment and liberation. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with wonderful people, but unfortunately, it’s been stuck for a while due to a variety of reasons. My purpose is to help provide a vision and mindset that if I can achieve success, then anyone can. It’s important for Puerto Rico to stand independently and not have to rely on others.

Do you have any big projects you want to share with us?

Yes, I am on the second season of Next Level Chef on Fox with Chef Gordon Ramsay. I am so excited to be on Team Nyesha. The show premiered February 12th and is now airing every Thursday night on Fox through the spring.

Congratulations! It’s fantastic that authenticity can take you far and help you live your purpose.

100%. Every opportunity that has come my way, I have treated with respect and authenticity. I know that thousands of people can cook way better than I can, but there must be something I am bringing to the table that has led to these opportunities, and I respect that. So, I stay the course and remember who I am doing this for and the purpose.

I have seen your social media, and your spirit and high vibes almost made me want to cook, even though I am not usually eager to do so. If you can inspire someone like me to want to cook, that is really something. Speaking of that, tell us about your tips for successful entrepreneurs and professionals. What is your self-care routine? What keeps you grounded and helps you maintain those high vibes?

I have experienced some profound lows in life, whether financially, emotionally, or health-wise. When it comes to your health, it doesn’t matter how much money you have. Your health is a priority, and you have to take care of it. If you take care of your health, everything else will fall into place. No amount of money can buy your health. So, for me, taking care of myself means having some alone time, hydrating, and reading things that feed my soul and mind.

Staying grounded also involves being around people you genuinely love. Find your tribe, the people who are there for you no matter what. That’s how I practice self-care.

As for advice, if there’s a hobby, passion, or something you want to do and you think it’s silly, just remember that nothing is silly if you genuinely love it, and it brings you joy and fulfillment. If you would do it for free, that’s what you should be pursuing.

Walk that path without fear. Jump, even if it’s without a parachute. Along the way, you’ll find a parachute, or someone to help you. I no longer keep things to myself; you never know if there is a walking angel right beside you who is willing to help. Speak up, be clear on what you want, and somehow, someone or something will show up to help you.

What helps you stay connected to your intuition?

My faith. I have a brother 11 years older than me, but I was raised almost like an only child because he didn’t live with me. My mom brought me up in the church, but I never really knew what it was like to know God for myself or have that experience everyone talks about — that clarity. I had to learn that on my own. Now that I have tapped into it, my faith brings me peace, clarity, and joy. It’s a joy that can’t be taken away, a joy that comes from the inside out.

For our listeners and readers who would like to follow you, what is the best place where they can find you and continue following your journey?

I am on every social media platform. You can find me easily on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter as Cooking Con Omi, all across the board. I can’t wait to connect with you and I’m so excited about everything.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher, and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness, and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.