Nalini Unagar, an Indian woman who spent three years building her food YouTube channels, has announced her decision to step away from the platform. Despite investing significant time and money into her venture, Unagar’s channels did not meet her expectations, leading her to give up on her YouTube career. In a heartfelt post shared on X (formerly Twitter), she offered to sell her kitchen accessories and studio equipment, explaining her decision to move on.
“I failed in my YouTube career, so I’m selling all my kitchen accessories and studio equipment. If anyone is interested in buying, please let me know,” Unagar wrote, accompanied by pictures of her kitchen setup. The post also outlined her financial losses, as she shared that she had spent Rs 8 lakh over three years with no returns.
Investment of Time and Money, but No Results
Unagar had poured considerable resources into her two YouTube channels: Nalini’s Kitchen Recipe and Food Facts By Nalini. While her recipe channel had just over 2,400 subscribers, her food facts channel had a more substantial following of 11,000 subscribers. Despite this, the returns remained meager, with no recognition or financial gain, prompting her to delete all her content and cease making videos.
I failed in my YouTube career, so I’m selling all my kitchen accessories and studio equipment. If anyone is interested in buying, please let me know. 😭 pic.twitter.com/3ew6opJjpL
— Nalini Unagar (@NalinisKitchen) December 18, 2024
In a follow-up post, Unagar shared that she had invested approximately Rs 8 lakh into her channels, including building a kitchen studio, purchasing equipment, and promoting her content. However, the lack of engagement and support from the platform led her to reflect on the unpredictable nature of online content creation.
The Emotional Toll and Reflections on Online Platforms
In her emotional post, Unagar expressed frustration with the platform, admitting that she had sacrificed a lot, including her time and career, to create content. “I’m honestly angry with YouTube. I spent my money, time, and even risked my career to build my channel, but in return, YouTube gave me nothing,” she wrote.
Let me confess today—I have invested approximately ₹8 lakhs in my YouTube channel for building a kitchen, buying studio equipment, and promotions. The return? ₹0.
— Nalini Unagar (@NalinisKitchen) December 18, 2024
Unagar explained that she felt YouTube favoured certain types of content and channels, which left others, like hers, struggling for visibility. “Online platforms require a bit of luck too, so it’s wise not to rely on them as a primary source of income. Your ‘shop’ can shut down before you even wake up the next day,” she said.
Despite her decision to quit, Unagar received overwhelming support from people who urged her not to give up. Many advised her to continue her content creation journey, even if it meant trying new platforms or methods.
A Cautionary Tale About the Uncertainty of Online Careers
Nalini Unagar’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges faced by content creators on platforms like YouTube. Despite investing heavily in her channels, the unpredictable nature of social media success left her feeling disheartened. This story highlights the importance of diversifying income sources and being aware of the risks that come with building a career on digital platforms.
