Career Profile: Cait Weingartner, Founder of Pretty and Fun

Cait Weingartner is the founder and author of one of my favorite lifestyle blogs, Pretty and Fun. I love Cait’s blog because she is creative, innovative, and authentic. She writes about beauty, design, fitness, travel, and more, which means that there is always something interesting to read. As evident by this interview, Cait also has fantastic career advice!

I read your blog daily but could you please introduce everyone to your blog? What do you write about?

Pretty & Fun is a lifestyle blog which basically means that I blog about a variety of topics ranging from style and beauty to interior design and fitness.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Hands down the best part about blogging has been the people that it has connected me to. Shortly after I launched the blog I moved from New Jersey to Chicago where I knew pretty much no one – the blog was such an amazing way for me to meet new people and experience my new city. Most recently I left Chicago to fulfill a long-time dream of mine to live in California and I don’t think I would have been as quick to make the big jump again without having the blog.

What tips do you have for other bloggers or people who want to start blogging?

Your voice is what matters the most! Stay true to yourself and never lose your own personality among the planning and perfection that can make up the blog world. Set a clear vision and goals for your blog and stick to ’em – don’t worry about what others are doing, if you’re always having fun blogging it will show.

What is a typical day like for you?

No two days are the same, especially within the advertising world. I start by waking up early to sneak a bit of blog work in before heading into the office and then tackle client calls, team meetings, and creating presentations throughout the day. The hours are unpredictable and I’m lucky to be done before 7 PM when I head home, spend some time with my dog and boyfriend and catch up on blog emails and comments received throughout the day. It’s a lot of work but I love both the blog and job sides of my life, so I wouldn’t want it any other way.

What is your favorite thing about working in marketing?

I love nerding out when it comes to data and insights. Curiosity is genuinely appreciated within the marketing world and it’s always a lot of fun to ask a lot of questions, start with a hunch and then ask the questions and look for the right data to tell the story.

Your home has been featured on publications like Glitter Guide and The Everygirl. What are some of your tips for decorating and, especially, decorating on a budget?

Craigslist can be your best friend when it comes to budget-friendly decorating. Use IFTTT to set up automatic CraigsList searches for keywords you’re interested in (i.e. “West Elm sofa,” “Vintage Bar Cart”) and you’ll receive email alerts when new items are posted that match your search. Also, mix things up – IKEA can go great with vintage and Etsy is a great resource for unique items like artwork that can add a ton of character.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Oh man, I have no idea! Five years ago I never would have guessed that I’d have a blog or live in Chicago OR San Francisco. Life changes really fast and I’m all about embracing it as it comes and maximizing every opportunity that comes my way, but regardless of where I am or what I’m doing in five years, I want to be happy and feel fulfilled.

What advice would you give to someone who is in the first five years of their career?

Don’t be afraid of hard work and always say yes. The early years of your career are critical for growth – work hard, always be willing to help out, and don’t be afraid to speak up – especially when you have an idea!

What is on your desk right now?

I work best in a pretty neat and tidy desk environment but you’ll always find a Sharpie stash, lots of Post Its and a pair of headphones at any desk of mine.

Where do you turn for inspiration?

Pinterest is a huge source of inspiration for me, whether it be for decorating my space or career-wise with a great motivational quote. I can get sucked in and spend hours pinning away so I try and limit my usage to right before bed.

What is a fun fact about you?

I’ve moved to two new cities after only visiting them once!

What advice do you have for other young professional women?

Don’t be afraid to speak up! When I first started working in advertising I had a guy on another team pull my boss aside and tell him I needed to tone it down because I was too “brash and headstrong.” I knew that if I was a man, those same adjectives would be positive traits – instead of backing down and taking his “advice,” I kept at it and earned respect throughout the agency by speaking up whenever I could add value to the conversation.

What is your favorite quote?

“The secret to doing it all is believing that you can.” If there’s something you really want, you’ll figure out how to do everything required to get there. Don’t sweat it!

Thank you, Cait!

Image via Cait and The Everygirl.