#ColorPopWCW: Kate Schaefer of H&H Weddings
Yesterday, I kicked off my Color Pop Pick series where I'll be featuring my personal favorites when it comes to parties, weddings and events. Today, I'm launching my Woman Crush Wednesday (#wcw) series where I get to sing the praises of and send lots of love to my fellow business ladies.
So without further delay, allow me to introduce one of the raddest business women around, Kate Schaefer of H&H Weddings. For those of you not familiar with H&H Weddings, it's a stunning LGBTQ wedding blog that showcases "his & his" and "hers & hers" engagements, weddings and styled shoots. Kate and I first met a couple of years ago at a branding workshop. The second she introduced herself and revealed that (a) she lived in Queens, and (b) had a wedding blog, I knew we were destined to work together. Needless to say, we became fast friends. Since then, Kate and I have discovered that we are the styled shoot dream team and can work together seamlessly both on the creative and logistic side of things. She's also there to give me a swift kick in the ass whenever I'm being too hard on myself. I can't sing her praises enough. So if you're an engaged couple looking for wedding inspiration or a company that wants to boost its presence in the LGBTQ market, Kate is definitely the woman to turn to.
Photo by The Sojourner Society
Why did you decide to start H&H Weddings?
I started H&H Weddings because, at the time there were two types of wedding blogs. The first was same-sex specific, but seemingly built in 1996 and felt totally outdated. The second was straight wedding blogs that would occasionally feature a same-sex couple.
When did you launch H&H Weddings?
August 2013
What sets you apart from other wedding blogs?
H&H Weddings is LGBTQ specific. I am also not a huge fan of blogs that are covered in banner ads and sidebar ads, so I’ve avoided that too. When users visit H&H Weddings, I want their experience to be about the love and inspiration.
Do you have an all-time favorite wedding or shoot that you've featured?
I think our Barbie shoot is actually topping the charts for me right now.
Photo by Katie Osgood Photography
What's the most memorable event you ever attended?
(un)convention. It was a huge meet up of feminists in the wedding industry. I spoke on a panel with a few amazing bosses. The event was empowering and I think everyone left feeling better than when they came.
Do you have any business role models?
I have a MAJOR crush on Jen Gotch. As a person and as a business owner. She is hilarious and quirky and successful.
What's your favorite business book?
The one you gave me! [Editor's note: That would be You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero].
What advice would you give to other women starting their own businesses?
Your life is not anyone else’s life. Don’t compare yourself to other people.
Do you have any daily routines that you think are critical for having a successful and productive work day?
I make my bed every day.
What's one question you'd like to answer that I didn't ask?
Q: What’s your fave thing about Leah?
A. She puts up with my shit and she is smart as hell.
And last but not least, I have to ask, what's your favorite color?
It’s like a very specific grey-seafoam green-ish color, but I don’t know what it would technically qualify as…definitely not teal. I’ll just say blue.