Small business: Bloggers - Eleanor Ozich, Petite Kitchen

Eleanor Ozich, founder of food blog Petite Kitchen.

Eleanor Ozich founded food blog Petite Kitchen in 2012 after eliminating grain, sugar, additives and preservatives from her family’s diet.

Why did you start blogging?

I began the Petite Kitchen blog as a personal diary documenting my family's journey to clean eating and living.

What role does blogging play in your wider working life?

My blog has been the foundation for my career. It's opened many doors for me, which I believe would not have been possible through traditional ways of networking. With the release of my first cookbook, My Petite Kitchen Cookbook, I have been able to host a number of cooking workshops, events and contribute to a number of great publications. I also work as a freelance writer for Taste Magazine, amongst other food publications.

I am also about to open 'Mondays' along with business partner Hannah Horton, which is a small whole-foods cafe located in Kingsland, where we will be offering delicious, simple and healthy takeaway food and drink.

Through my blog, I am able to write about all of these exciting projects to make my readers feel like they are part of my journey. It is a fantastic avenue to keep my readers in the loop and glue all my ventures together.

How does your blog generate revenue, either directly or by association with other things you do?

It's a mixture of the two. About six months after starting the blog, I decided to self-publish a small run of recipe journals to leverage the popularity and web traffic I was getting through my blog. These sold well through a simple online store, which I promoted through my blog and social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. Shortly after, I decided to release a second publication, followed by a 2014 recipe calendar, which was also received very well. I was starting to earn a sufficient income from my online store.

It was around this time that I was offered multiple publishing deals for my first cookbook. I decided to sign with Australian publisher Murdoch Books, as I felt they shared my vision of creating an international movement. These projects have gradually turned into a career, with exciting new opportunities popping up constantly.

How have you built an audience for your blog in the vast space that is the internet?

Through consistency and perseverance and not sacrificing my integrity for any short-term gains. I have also learnt vital marketing skills for spreading my message. Also through working with other people and blogs.

What are some of the biggest lessons you've learnt while blogging?

To stay true to my values, and to write about what I believe in. It is very easy to get caught up in the latest food trends and to start posting content that is not true or authentic to my beliefs. It is when I come back to my roots that I truly engage with my readers in the way that I love best.