Work Smarter Not Harder: Kelly Rizzo of Eat Travel Rock TV

Kelly Rizzo is one of those ladies I have looked up to and has the BEST restaurant suggestions (follow her on Instagram STAT). When it comes to tasty fare, a strong work ethic and style, Kelly’s got it!

 

The ship you’re waiting for, may very well be the ship you need to build.

It baffles me how she stays perfectly fit after trying so much food for her own show, website and Instagram. Not only is she now married to Bob Saget but she’s also one of the main featured ladies in the country music video, Get Your Shine On by Florida Georgia Line!!!! And did I mention she was a regular on VH1 Big Morning Buzz with Nick Lachey? Tell me you aren’t freaking out? Well if you are wondering how Kelly got to where she is now, you are in luck. And her story is incredible. A perfect example that it’s never too late to change your life and anything is possible. So let’s not waste anymore time and give Kelly a big welcome!

Meet Kelly Rizzo

Kelly, please explain your job and any other networks or projects you participate in on a regular basis. Since last year, I’ve hosted my own show here in Chicago called Eat Travel Rock TV, where I explore the best of the food and music scene and incorporate both elements while interviewing industry heavyweights. You can check out my latest episodes here. No two episodes are the same – I could be with a country artist in a tour bus at BBQ fest or dining with a rock-rap band over cocktails at a city hotspot. I also have a regular national segment on VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live with Nick Lachey.  I travel to NYC about twice per month for this, and my segment is always a blast. I share my favorite cocktails of the season, talk upcoming music & fashion… and basically share my latest tips with the VH1 audience on how to Eat, Travel, and Rock Out across the country! I’m also constantly curating ETR’s social platforms like Instagram, what you see is what I really do eat!

How did you get to your current position: I actually started out as a Realtor for 15 years.  When the market crashed and then I went through a divorce, I realized that real estate was not where my passion was. It was time to do something I loved and could leave my signature mark with. I immediately started my blog, Eat Travel Rock, and soon after began interviewing some of the biggest names in music at the famous Joe’s Bar. I was asked to star in 2 country music videos, and I hosted a show called Food Junkie: Chicago.  I realized that being on-camera was the route I wanted to take. Next, I worked on having creative control of  my own content…. And ETR TV was born.  I’ve just never had the mindset that I can’t do whatever I set my intention to.  I know that if I work hard and persevere, I can make it far in this crazy, new career in entertainment.  There have been wonderful people along the way to support me, and then some not-so-nice people.  I don’t let the latter derail me and instead stay positive.

What time do you typically get up in the morning?  I am NOT a morning person although I’m trying to be better!!  I’m usually up around 8:30 AM but I rarely go to bed before midnight. I’m a night owl for sure!

How do you take your coffee and what do you typically eat for breakfast?  Coffee with just milk or coconut milk.  Sometimes a cappuccino.  And I usually have either a greek yogurt or chia seed/coconut milk pudding.

Quickly walk us through your morning routine: I mainly work from home which I LOVE. I’ll wake up, make (or order delivery) coffee and sit on my couch with my computer on my lap.  My first item of biz is to always touch base with my manager, Chantel Luxem.  We always have a TON going on and also take a lot of meetings. We’re constantly brainstorming to come up with new ideas to strengthen the ETR brand as a business.

What is the best way to get your foot in the door of your dream job?  Well, I’m a bit different in that I’ve never had a boss or worked for someone else.  Even as a realtor for 15 years, I was always my own boss.  However, I will say that in the business I’m currently in – interacting with restaurants/nightlife, music and entertainment – networking is paramount.  It really is ALL about who you know.  I’m a hustler and constantly making connections and pitching my ideas.  I have no fear of being told no, and I will constantly even reach out to CEOs of record labels and Executive Producers of networks with my ideas.  You can’t be afraid of “no” or afraid to talk to anyone!

What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks? My iPhone and Google calendar.  I can’t remember what I did before these miraculous inventions.

What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of?  Just not acting professionally.  It’s amazing to me how many people lack basic tenets of professionalism or courtesy.  Always respond promptly to emails or requests, always show up on time (or early) to meetings, etc.  And for the love of god, brush up on your grammar.  At least learn your pronouns and the difference between less and fewer!

How do you conquer your inbox? I can get very easily distracted.  I can be in the middle of one email and then I see another pop up and then start responding to that one!  It’s not a perfect science, but I make sure to get back to everyone asap.

How do you format your emails? I usually like to open with some nicety or a warm welcome:  “Hi Jim!  So great seeing you last week, that show was such a blast! Can’t wait till the band is back in town again.  So I was thinking….”  That’s  a pretty common format for me :).

How do you make time for working out and staying healthy? Uh-oh.  I do not have a great workout routine in the winter, nor do I belong to a gym (at this point).  When it’s nice outside I run outdoors almost every day and do a lot of fun activities, biking along the lake, beach volleyball, paddleboarding, etc.  I HATE being in a gym.  So in the winter when I don’t work out, I try to be a bit more diligent about my diet which is near impossible considering my job is to eat out at all the amazing restaurants!  So mainly I’m grateful I have favorable genetics.  However, I’m not a huge fan of alcohol.  I really have to be in the mood for a drink and not the type to have a glass of wine at home each night.  For the most part, I drink sparkling water when I’m out to dinner.

What are your favorite tips for keeping an organized workspace? Just don’t let it get messy! I can’t stand clutter and I’m the opposite of a hoarder. I throw EVERYTHING out!  Just don’t let it get sloppy/messy in the first place.   Put everything away.

What other pieces of advice/tips can you share?  Be yourself.  I’ve become so much more liberated once I just decided that I need to be me.  Now life is a blast when I can just show the world my fun and silly side along with my professional and hardworking side.  I’ve stopped apologizing for doing what I want in my career. You should only surround yourself with people who share your vision and are supportive.

Favorites:

* Favorite Apps: Instagram of course! Also, Eater, Grubhub, GateGuru, FlightAware, Rhapsody, and Pandora.

* Favorite Resources:  Eater, Rolling Stone, and Wikipedia.

* Favorite Books: Cockpit Confidential– Patrick Smith,  Restaurant Man– Joe Bastianich, Medium Raw– Anthony Bourdain,  anything by Lee Strobel and Quest Study Bible.

* Favorite Websites:  Eater.com, Facebook and YouTube (for concert and music videos)

* Favorite Gadget: iPhone and my Macbook Air

 

Want more? Get the Kardashian salad recipe Kylie, Kim, Kourtney, Kendall and Khloe are always eating! And you can find even more interviews right here.

{Photo credit: Samantha Jean Photography}