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.
Image: Madeline Kate Photography
What is the best opportunity that Rock N Roll Bride has brought you?
Publishing my own magazine, travelling the world (and getting paid for it!) and making some of the best friends I’ve ever had (sorry that was 3!)
What’s your best tip for a work / life balance?
Be in charge of cooking dinner. I HAVE to stop work when Gareth gets hungry haha!
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t waste your time on the people that don’t like you. Focus on the people that DO like you. It’s only their opinions that matter.
What tips do you have for successfully working alongside your spouse?
Separate work spaces!
97% of Britain’s small creative businesses are run by women. Why do you think this is?
Because “girls, we rule the world”!
What was the highlight of your wedding day?
The moment I reached Gareth after walking down the aisle.
Was there anything standout about what you wore?
I had a cathedral length veil which might shock some people. I took it off as soon as the ceremony was over though. It was a right pain to wear!
Looking back, is there anything you would change about your wedding?
Our wedding would be very different, stylistically, if we were getting married now but that shit doesn’t really matter. The whole day was perfect.
What are your top tips for brides-to-be when planning their wedding?
Chill out! Seriously, stop stressing yourself out so much. Remember what it’s all really about and try, for the love of god, to enjoy yourself. Also, Pinterest isn’t real life.
Image: Matt Miller/ Diamond Eyes
Any marriage tips?
In 140 characters?!?!? I guess the biggest one would be never say “You ALWAYS do this” or “You NEVER do that”.
Favourite quote?
(It’s a clichà© but) Be yourself, everybody else is already taken. (Oscar Wilde).
Favourite gadget?
My phone
Favourite film?
Last holiday?
Without any work attached?! Probably ski-ing last year…
Currently reading?
I don’t have anything on the go right now. I suck at reading books.
If you could be trapped in a lift with any living person who would it be and why?
My husband
Tell me something about you that most people don’t know… preferably non work-related
Erm… I like tea. A lot. I’d rather give up wine than tea.
What is your guilty pleasure?
The Vampire Diaries (I’m not even ashamed, it’s brilliant!)
What did you do today?
Emails, wrote a blog post… the usual!
What’s next?
Rock n Roll Bride Magazine hit the shops in January, and The Blogcademy Online has also just launched. This year is all about new products!
What are your top tips for working from home when you’re self employed?
Try and keep as regular working hours as possible.
Thank you Kat! Find Rock N Roll Bride on:
@Twitter
@Facebook
@Pinterest
@Instagram
Kat has a fantastic image. Love the hair color, really inspired choice re rock and roll.