Kristen Sullivan didn’t launch her content platform with a business plan or brand strategy. She started with a simple need: to cook and share dinner with friends.
“I absolutely hate eating alone,” she says with a laugh. “During my divorce, I didn’t have my girls for seven days at a time. I’d make 30-minute meals and share them online. It felt like cooking with a friend.”
That simple act of showing up in the kitchen for herself quickly grew into something more. Today, Kristen is the voice behind Cook and Style with Kristen, a thriving food and lifestyle creator platform where she shares easy recipes, affordable fashion, and snippets of her real life as a single mom of three.
What started as comfort food content is now a full-time business, and Kristen is just getting started.
A Life Rewritten, One Recipe at a Time
A former teacher turned creator, Kristen built her brand around two things: authenticity and relatability. She’s not afraid to share the messy parts of life—or to laugh at them. “I had the white picket fence, the perfect family, and it all fell apart,” she says. “Now I try to be real with my audience and circle back to my ‘why’ all the time.”
Kristen’s followers, mostly busy moms like herself, come for the recipes and outfit ideas but stay for the honesty. Her content feels like a heart-to-heart with a friend who just gets it. Whether it’s funny mom-life skits, casual sweatshirt try-ons, or easy weeknight dinners, she brings a sense of warmth and humor to everything she shares.
From the Kitchen to the Closet (and Everywhere in Between)
Kristen’s hybrid niche of food and fashion may sound unlikely, but it works beautifully. “Shauna [Hollinger, Creator Education Manager at Mavely] gives me such great advice about niching down,” Kristen jokes. “But I’m not giving up the food.”
That mix of meal hacks and casual style is what makes her stand out, and it’s helping her monetize effectively. Since joining Mavely in early 2025, Kristen has leaned into affiliate marketing, brand deals, and platform expansion. She’s now active on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and has unlocked paid opportunities with numerous brands.
“Mavely gave me a whole new perspective,” she says. “They made it make sense. Before, I was only linking Walmart and Target. Now I see what’s possible.”
She’s earning an average of $2,000 a month from brand partnerships and affiliate commissions—proof that consistency and community go a long way.
Big Dreams, Real Growth
Now a full-time food and lifestyle creator and part-time remote sales professional, Kristen is investing in her next chapter. She’s seeking help from a content manager, growing her reach on TikTok, and laying the groundwork for her dream projects: a Cook with Kristen seasoning line and a “dip cookbook” inspired by her favorite shareable dishes.
Long term, she hopes to launch her own product line: proof that influencer marketing can be a launchpad for something even bigger.
Her Best Advice for New Creators? Share What You Love
Kristen knows how hard it can be to start. But she also knows what’s on the other side of taking the leap.
“We naturally want to share what we love,” she says. “I used to do it at school with my teacher friends. Now I just do it online, and I get to earn income from it.”
For creators just starting out, her advice is simple: “Don’t look at the outside noise. Be true to yourself. Share what you’re already buying. You never know who’s watching.”
Want more inspiration?
Follow @cookandstylewithkristen for easy meals, approachable fashion, and real-life mom content that feels like a warm hug. And if you’re looking for more stories from creators turning their passions into income, head to the Mavely blog for tips, spotlights, and wins from our community.
