The title of this blog post might be throwing you off since you’ve already met Kaylee, but boy do we have a surprise for you! When we set out to grow our team earlier this year, we did so with open hands, committed to finding the right person (or persons!) and tailoring their responsibilities in a way that suited them and our growing business. Some of our most astute followers know that when we hired Kaylee, we also hired another wonderful lady, and I’ve gotten a few emails and Instagram direct messages asking when we’re going to introduce her! I’m thrilled to say the wait is over, friends!
It is with the happiest heart that I’m introducing the newest member of the Cultivate What Matters and Southern Weddings’ team to you – Catherine Marks!
One of our favorite things (on a list of so many!) is that Catherine has been one of our company’s biggest cheerleaders for years! We’ve featured her wedding and newlywed home tour on the Southern Weddings’ blog. She’s an avid PowerSheets user, even sharing her goal progress with many on her personal blog.
Isn’t it always interesting to meet someone you’ve known online for the first time? Sometimes there are questions or fears, but with Catherine, none of that proved to be true. Before joining our team, Catherine was in a season of transition herself – preparing for the arrival of their first child and transitioning out a career that left much to be desired. I remember a buddy chat I had with Catherine soon after I transitioned to Atlanta, and her words offered me so much encouragement and hope in my season of transition. While I don’t quite remember her exact words, I remember being greatly encouraged because everything she was articulating exactly how I was feeling at the time.
She has exceeded our expectations in every way and continues to be one of the biggest blessings to our team in 2017! Now, without further ado, meet the lovely Catherine Marks!
Tell us how you joined the team in a few sentences: I’m a long-time Southern Weddings fan (I know I’m not the only one still loyally reading years after my wedding day!), PowerSheets user, and Making Things Happen Conference alum. I have always had so much love and respect for this team from afar, I even told my husband at one point that if I could just work with the Cultivate gals I would have my dream job. As luck would have it, I was in a transitional period in my life with knowing I was to be a new mama soon when they posted that they were searching for a new team member! I never dreamed I would actually get the job, but God had other plans, and here I am!
What have you been doing since May? I have been loving my job! Can you believe that my very first “assignment” was to get my hair and makeup done for our team photo shoot at Fearrington Village? Granted, not every day is that glamorous, but most days are that fun! Starting out with the Cultivate Team Summit was like getting three months of information and team bonding done in three days! Since then, I’ve been editing and drafting blog posts, managing our Southern Weddings’ Blue Ribbon Vendor directory, and gearing up for the 2018 PowerSheets release on October 25th! On a personal note, I also gave birth to my baby girl, Victoria.
What else will you be doing in the coming months? I am so excited to be able to write and share more from a personal perspective now that you know who I am! I have such a passion for encouraging women to cultivate what matters, right where they are, and I can’t wait to share more to our wonderful Cultivate family. I’m a new mom, and I’m looking forward to learning from all the wise women in the Cultivate family as I transition into a new season.
Hometown and where you live now: I’m from Southeast Missouri (Charleston and Cape Girardeau, MO) and live in Arlington, VA now!
Birthday: September 28
Something others might not know about me: I am a proud (fourth generation) farmer’s daughter!
Favorite part about being on team: Since “everything” is a boring answer, I’ll narrow it down to two very broad things: the work I do and the people I do it with. It is such a joy to do work that I believe so strongly in and love so much. It’s cliche, but it truly never feels like a job! And then, of course, to work with these eight incredible women who are so much more than coworkers is a daily blessing I hope I never take for granted!
Catherine went on maternity leave two months into her role to celebrate the birth of her first child – Victoria Jane, and while we are grateful we could celebrate this new season alongside her, we missed her dearly. We’re selfishly happy to have her back, as we know her enthusiasm, excitement, and ninja-like writing skills are going to enable us to continue to encourage and equip women to cultivate what matters – right where they are!
Friends, please help us give Catherine a big CWM welcome in the comments below! She’s been such a delight to our team, and we know you are going to love her just as much as we do! You can also say hi and get to know her on Instagram and her blog.
Photos by Ally and Bobby and Olivia Suriano of Nancy Ray Photography.
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