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Chitter Chatter with Kat Williams, the brains behind Rock n Roll Bride, one of the biggest wedding blogs in the world

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Kat-Williams-Rock-N-Roll-Bride
Image: Shell de Mar

With the latest addition to our family there’ll be a few subtle changes to the schedule of the blog for the coming weeks while I’m adjusting to life with our new baby.

I’ll still be posting the very coolest real Jewish weddings every week, but there’ll also be a brand new feature running where I interview all sorts of inspirational women in the wedding industry whom I greatly admire. These women successfully combine running their own business with married life and in a lot of cases, raising a young family.

The series is called Chitter Chatter and the twist is is they have to answer my questions in just 140 characters or less….

Today I’m chitter chattering to one of the world’s most influential wedding bloggers, Kat Williams of the almighty Rock N Roll Bride. Back in 2007 Kat saw a niche for alternative wedding inspiration and ran with it! Kat now works on the blog, and the ever growing Rock n Roll Bride brand, full-time alongside her husband Gareth, and is also one of the headmistresses at The Blogcademy, a two-day blogging workshop that she co-founded and runs with prolific US bloggers Gala Darling and Shauna Haider.

What was your first job?

Sales assistant in Holland and Barrett.

Tell me more about your career before launching Rock N Roll Bride

I was a shopping TV producer for Bid TV (RIP!)

How do you cope with running two growing businesses: Rock N Roll Bride and The Blogcademy?

Its a lot of work, BUT I LOVE IT. Genuinely. It doesn’t feel like I ever have to ‘cope’ with it because I just love doing it all so much.

What inspires you to keep growing and developing both your businesses ?

I’m fiercely competitive! Ha!

What obstacles have you overcome along the way?

The usual – people letting you down, long hours, trolls, lack of social life… It’s all worth it though.

Kat Williams Rock N Roll Bride_0002
Image: Madeline Kate Photography
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Chitter Chatter with Jenny Adjene, award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder of Hip Hip Hooray

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Jenny-Adjene
With the latest addition to our family there’ll be a few subtle changes to the schedule of the blog for the coming weeks while I’m adjusting to life with our new baby.

I’ll still be posting the very coolest real Jewish weddings every week, but there’ll also be a brand new feature running where I interview all sorts of inspirational women in the wedding industry whom I greatly admire. These women successfully combine running their own business with married life and in a lot of cases, raising a young family.

The series is called Chitter Chatter and the twist is is they have to answer my questions in just 140 characters or less….

Today I’m thrilled to be chitter chattering to Jenny Adjene, an award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder of Hip Hip Hooray, one of the UK’s leading wedding and celebration stationery companies. A crafter at heart, Jenny taught herself graphic design and discovered a love and skill for creating gorgeous wedding and party invitations. She spotted a gap in the market for high quality designs at affordable prices, and through Hip Hip Hooray, now offers innovative web based technology which allows brides-to-be to customise their favourite invitation designs online and download as an instant printable, or get it professionally printed and shipped in a few short days. Jenny is married and has two little girls.

What was your first job?

At around the age of 13 I started working as a waitress in the local village pub. I think I was paid around £2.50 an hour!

Tell me more about your career before launching Hip Hip Hooray

Before launching Hip Hip Hooray, I ran another much smaller wedding stationery business which was full of charm but ultimately, not at all scalable.

What made you start Hip Hip Hooray?

I saw a gap in the market for designs where quality is matched by affordability, and which allow brides the flexibility to print themselves or order professionally printed.

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Chitter Chatter with Charlotte O’Shea, Blog Queen and founder of Rock My Wedding

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Charlotte-OShea
Image:  Anna Clarke Photography

With  the upcoming  addition to our family (our due date is Saturday, same as the  Duchess of Cambridge’s no less!) there’ll be a few subtle changes to the schedule of the blog for the coming weeks  while I’m adjusting to life as a mama of  two.

I’ll still be posting the very coolest  real Jewish weddings  every week, but  there’ll also be  a brand new feature running where I interview all sorts of inspirational women in the wedding industry whom  I greatly admire. These women successfully combine  running their own business with married life and in a lot of cases, raising a young family.

The series is called Chitter Chatter and the twist is is they have to answer my questions  in just 140 characters or less….

Today I’m chitter chattering  to  a doyenne… a ‘queen bee’ wedding bloggess, and superstar creative mama. It’s the  one and only  Charlotte O’Shea, founder and MD of Rock My Wedding, the phenomenally  successful UK wedding blog that launched in  2009.  A few years later, the ‘Rock My’ empire grew when Charlotte launched  the hugely  popular  Rock My Style, a lifestyle blog for women  covering beauty, fashion, travel, food, interiors and family.

Charlotte lives in the West Midlands with her husband James, and their one year old daughter, Mabel Rose.

What was your first job?

My first job was in retail with House Of Fraser – I was a Morgan Girl! Think lycra boob tubes and chain mail crop tops (actually don’t – tragic doesn’t even cover it.)

Tell me more about your career before launching Rock My Wedding and Rock My Style

I was an Account Manager for a small yet very successful technology and web design company, I learnt a hell of a lot about everything to do with running a business and then some.

How do you cope with running two growing businesses:  Rock My Wedding and Rock My Style?

I employ a very VERY talented bunch of folks. And endeavour to be as organised as feasibly possible. Oh and biscuits – essential brain fuel.

What inspires you to keep growing and developing your businesses?

My dedicated team and our loyal stylish readers are a constant inspiration, as is my daughter Mabel. No two days are the same – the diversity of what we do generates constant creativity.

Charlotte O Shea
Image:  Little Beanies
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