This story was originally posted on Nov. 1 on UH News.

Corina Quach, a 2020 University of Hawaiʻiat Mānoa Shidler College of Businessgraduate, is better known on social media as @fiveftfoodie. A self-proclaimed introvert, she could have never imagined she’d be a social media sensation with more than 44,000 followers on Instagram. In fact, Quach was originally planning to attend culinary school in Tokyo to pursue her passion for baking. And then the pandemic hit, and she needed a new plan.

What started as a passion project, @fiveftfoodie is just one of Quach’s endeavors alongside her social media management company, SUMIKA LLC. As if that wasn’t enough, she also works part-time at a local ramen shop.

When she puts on her @fiveftfoodie hat, Quach is busy showcasing eateries around the island and other locations she travels to. She relishes in being able to talk to people and make connections with businesses while sharing their products and her reviews of them with her followers. She also enjoys the perks of being an influencer, such as being able to try new items, receiving complimentary products and providing helpful feedback.

As a social media manager, Quach services many small businesses on Oʻahu and has helped to grow their platforms to showcase their products and services. She is currently involved with Foodland’s 75th anniversary celebration and Central Pacific Bank’s shaka bank account launch and contactless payment campaign.

Alumna says UH influenced her success

Reflecting on her time at Shidler college and as a member of the Shidler Global Leaders, Quach said that her education helped her immensely in achieving success in her combined pursuits. Networking is a big part of what she does these days, and her time in college helped her to overcome her fears and teach her transferable business skills that she uses today. Other challenges along her path included being a younger, inexperienced face in an industry with many seasoned media professionals. Despite this, she persevered and is now enjoying success from her hard work and dedication.

Quach attributes her growth to authenticity and giving her honest reviews so that her followers trust her. She also appreciates the support that surrounds her, which helps fuel her drive to create and assures her that she’s on the right path.

“I think knowing my worth now and having my friends, followers, business owners and family show their support for me is the biggest thing that helps keep me going, even when I feel like I’m not doing enough,” she said.

For more stories like this, see the spring/summer 2023 edition of Shidler Business.