Episode 1: Building Bold Brands and Beautiful Lives with Shelby and Cat Bridjet sits down with Shelby and Cat for an intimate, laughter-filled conversation that goes deep into their journeys of growing up, carving their paths, and saying yes to big dreams. Together they share how they’ve built their photography and branding businesses, scaled their ideas into reality, and partnered with some incredible brands along the way. This episode is all about creating, building, and connecting—through business, through storytelling, and through the magic of women coming together at events. Shelby and Cat open up about the behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship, the lessons they’ve learned, and the beauty of cultivating a life and career rooted in purpose and community. If you’re craving inspiration, sisterhood, and proof that you too can design a life and business that lights you up—this episode will leave you feeling seen, motivated, and oh-so-Worthy. Get to know Shelby and Cat now!
Episode 1: Building Bold Brands and Beautiful Lives with Shelby and Cat
Bridjet sits down with Shelby and Cat for an intimate, laughter-filled conversation that goes deep into their journeys of growing up, carving their paths, and saying yes to big dreams. Together they share how they’ve built their photography and branding businesses, scaled their ideas into reality, and partnered with some incredible brands along the way.
This episode is all about creating, building, and connecting—through business, through storytelling, and through the magic of women coming together at events. Shelby and Cat open up about the behind-the-scenes of entrepreneurship, the lessons they’ve learned, and the beauty of cultivating a life and career rooted in purpose and community.
If you’re craving inspiration, sisterhood, and proof that you too can design a life and business that lights you up—this episode will leave you feeling seen, motivated, and oh-so-Worthy. Get to know Shelby and Cat now!
More From Cat
Follow Cat on Instagram @Catgolden
More from Shelby
Follow Shelby on Instagram @shelbydubinphotography
More from Bridjet
Follow Bridjet on Instagram @bridjetmorris
https://www.instagram.com/bridjetmorris/
Join us in person for Worthy x London AN EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL GATHERING FOR WOMEN WHO KNOW THEY’RE MEANT FOR MORE- can't wait to see you there
https://bridjetmorris.com/events/worthy-london/
Episode 1 Building Bold Brands And Beautiful Lives With Shelby Dubin And Cat Goden Re Edit Final V6 Captions_Video
[00:00:00]
Bridjet: So I am so incredibly excited today to have Shelby and Kat with me. I have known both of you for years. I've had the pleasure of working with both of you for years, Kat. I mean, we were just laughing about how, when we first met, let's just, for the audience, let's just take it back to 2017. This picture will never see the light of day.
Cat: Oh, it it hide it? No, that's not the only one. There's one of, I think there's one of me doing a plank and you holding weight and it, we are the, the camera's locked in on us and. No, but I remember meeting you and I went down to Detroit that day by myself. I didn't know anyone. This is like early Bridget Blogger.
Bridjet: Am I gonna do this or not? Let me just see what this Detroit group is about by myself. And I walk into this, you know, group of probably 20 wellness fitness people at live cycle in Detroit. Yeah, I don't even know what neighborhood. And I just felt so outta place and you and I just connected. Yeah, you were [00:01:00] so sweet.
You made me feel so comfortable. And I think it was just that conversation we had and spending time with you, that honestly gave me the confidence and courage to keep showing up to events like that. Oh my God, that's so, 'cause I was like, if I meet people like that, like I can do this. Yeah. If I, if there are a bunch of like cats that exist in this world, then, then this is like, these are my people.
Aw. And it's not like we cultivated a big friendship. No. When we started following each other and. I mean, and obviously you've had amazing success over the years and I'm just so grateful to continue to, you know, see you and work with you. And Shelby, you and I have had the pleasure of working together through photo shoots and brand events and other experiences, and I just, today I wanna get into how you two kind of got together, the impact you're having on.
Female entrepreneurs, global brands, you're doing events all over. You are, have worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and it seems like you're just getting started. So I wanted to maybe give you guys a chance to introduce [00:02:00] yourselves if there's like a intro you wanna do or maybe just introduce yourselves to our audience.
Shelby: Hi, I'm Shelby, but yes, by trade. I'm a photographer. Videographer. But, um, initially I started this whole career in the arts as a dancer. Um, traveled the world, performing and dancing, working for Disney, and then the world shifted. So I had to make a shift and had always loved photography and obviously visual arts was like a natural gift I guess, that I was given.
And it just naturally, I started posting about it and. Became a photographer. People were interested and wanted to book, and I said, okay. Um, and that's how it kind of all started and it's just spiraled from there and transformed into media marketing. Wow. I don't know the Instagram world, whatever is happening.
But yeah, it's been a lot of fun. Wow. You took a chance on yourself, grabbed a camera. Very quick synopsis, but Yeah. Yeah. A quick success too. Yeah, because she's very good at what she does. I think the thing that [00:03:00] makes Shelby different too, is she won't brag about herself. But you know, I've worked with many, many photographers, as have you, and Shelby is so present, like when she's at an event with you or doing something with you, like she's so there and engaged in what's happening.
Cat: Like she's, she's going so long, I'm like, okay, cut her off. She's done. Like, she's not even looking at the clock. Like she's not nickel and dimming anyone. Like, you're gonna get the most, you're gonna get the best. She has so many ideas. Like it is literally like she's in another reality and you can see like she's doing what.
She's meant to do a hundred percent. Yeah. So thank you a hundred percent. And Kat? Yeah, so I'm Kat and I'm actually a nurse by trade, although I do not practice anymore. But my, I got my start in entrepreneurship with my first company Nurses, inspired Nurses, which got acquired, um, in February, a year now of 2024, which is very exciting.
And through that company, um, just really realized I'm good at marketing. And so we had a huge give back component and I'm, I'm most proud of that, [00:04:00] that. You know, we gave like over 40,000 free gifts to nurses and that's when I started working with brands, realizing that there's so much we can do with marketing dollars and sponsorships and so, yeah.
Um, had a chance to get out because I'm not good at operations and I was like, I got to go. So got out of that. And then really the last like year and a half, I've just kind of been figuring out two years honestly. Like what I wanna do and you know, how I wanna spend my time. And I have taken clients, you know, I have several big clients that I work with and that's amazing.
But I didn't have like a formal company. And, um, so I'm getting ready to launch my second company now, and it's, it's very exciting. It'll be all around, uh, B2B brand, sponsorships and clips. Amazing. Yeah. And I can't wait to hear more about that. Yeah, because I just feel like that. As the Instagram world and the branding world and the influencer world becomes like so huge and it's not stopping.
Bridjet: I feel like this is truly the future of like, marketing is all just personal referrals, connections, um, [00:05:00] and I just feel like that is like the next level to really, and also you have that connection piece. You're still connecting with the brands. Yes. But you're also directly putting them in front of like their market and their target.
Mm-hmm. So well, thank you guys for that intro. Um, let's take it back a little bit to, I would love to hear like where you grew up, how your relationship was like with your mom and your dad. This podcast is all about. Just talking about how as women, it is so important for us to continue to step into our self-worth and our worthiness, and oftentimes that is shaped by our childhood.
You know, we don't sometimes even realize it until we're grown, grown women and reflecting back on relationships and experiences. So I just love to hear Shelby from you first. Where did you grow up and what was that like and what was life at home? You said you were a dancer and she's a big cruiser. Yeah, so I.
Shelby: I'm so grateful. I know a lot of people, you know, lives are different. I feel very grateful. I was super close and I am super close with my mom. My dad, he's been [00:06:00] passed away for 10 years. Okay. But growing up with him was phenomenal. And I wasn't an only child, but I have three half brothers. But when I, I was the first, first and only child from my parents together, so these were all my half brothers and they were older, grown out of the house.
So it was really just me with my parents, and they were a little bit older. So I will say growing up it was a lot of fun. There was always something going on. They were in such a different era, I feel like, of their lives than a lot of parents are. 'cause they were a little bit older. Mm-hmm. So we just did everything together, which was so nice.
Bridjet: That's amazing. I met your mom. She's great. My mom's the best. My mom is literally the greatest. I, she is the best. Love her. We are super, super, super close. That's amazing. So I feel so grateful for that. But yeah, growing up. She just put me in dance when I was like three years old and it just snowballed.
Shelby: And then I was there five days a week. Wow. Awesome. Every day locally in Michigan? Yep. Locally, I went to a few different studios and I think the greatest day of her life was when I started driving. So she no longer had to do the [00:07:00] dance carpool anymore every day. Um, I'm in that, but it was just great. And then we would, you know, travel together.
And that is, I do love cruising. I worked on a cruise ship. We do cruises all the time now, but it started from my family. My dad was. Obsessed with cruising and when, if there was a break from school or we could go on a vacation, he was like, oh, let's just go on a cruise. It's awesome. I know there's worse than, you know what works.
Yeah. Like it could be worse. So that's how I kind of fell in love with cruising and um. Traveling and, but they've just always been so supportive, which is crazy. And that's, and even, even to this day, your mom was at an art, a gallery event of yours like a week or two ago that I, that I popped in to see.
Bridjet: And yeah, it's, I tell my mom, she's like, oh, that's amazing. I'm like, mom, I could literally color on the wall and you would be like, this is incredible. I feel so grateful. I joke with her, it's amazing. But I'm like, I need you to sometimes look at this through like a real person and tell me it's actually not good.
Shelby: Yeah, she can't, it's okay, but she just can't. So I'm just so grateful. Um. I really did have great parents. That's amazing. And that we're [00:08:00] super close and that's wonderful. Uh, Judy always says that Shelby was born under a lucky star, and now she says that I was too. And that's my favorite thing. Oh yeah. She said that Shelby was born under a lucky star.
Cat: Isn't that so sweet? That is beautiful. Yeah. So. I can't say I love that. Anything bad. No. Mean, that's beautiful. And you, and, and you can see that that love was, you know, and, and encouraged and your talents were encouraged and your parents gave you experiences to really, you know, just cultivate that. Yeah, she has, which is awesome.
Shelby: She has, she has admitted that there's been times she was very nervous and stressed about decisions I've made, but now she can see that they worked out and yes, of course mother, but in the moment she was the most supportive. So yes. That's awesome. And still continues to be, yeah. Now, what about you, Kat?
Bridjet: Where did you grow up? What was life at like at home and growing up? What kind of a child were you? Oh yeah. Well, I'm first born and like my mom says, I'm so bossy and independent, you know? So like first born? Yeah, what you would expect. I grew up in the metro area as well. My parents are still together.
Cat: Growing up for me was kind of different because my dad worked a ton and I just never like [00:09:00] fit in. I think they kind of like didn't know what to do with me and, and now we have such a different relationship. My parents. Were super conservative, very religious, and it just honestly didn't really go well because I'm very like rebellious.
Break the mold. I wasn't, I didn't do anything bad at all. Looking back, I'm like, oh my God, you guys had it so easy. Like I could have been so much worse. But, um, yeah, they just. I think didn't know what to do with me, quite honestly, and I never felt like good at anything. I was a very hard worker, but like, you know, Shelby's saying she had dance and all this, like I didn't know even what I would do.
Mm-hmm. Um, I kind of had a lot of non-tangible skills. I think looking back. Were you into arts and like entertainment or anything like that? No, and I didn't view myself as a creative person. Like I think because I couldn't draw or like I wasn't, um, okay. And I, and they stifled my creativity because they were very religious, so I was very stifled.
Cat: Like I wasn't allowed self-expression. Mm-hmm. [00:10:00] And so like, we didn't even have a TV until I was in third grade. Like, I wasn't allowed to wear makeup. Like I wasn't allowed to wear the clothes I wanted. Um. And then when did you start to kinda like, was it after you moved outta your house where you felt like you could express yourself more and Not at first because then I married the wrong person.
Okay. Um, so I had to get married to the wrong person and then I moved to Colorado, got married, ended up getting divorced. And then, you know, it was kind of like everything I had, quote, done everything right, but my life didn't go right. And so that forced me to ask a lot of different questions. And then I went to therapy.
I like went to all this, like I started reading mindset books. I was like, I can literally reinvent myself. Mm-hmm. My brother played a huge part in that. He moved to Colorado to support me and live with me. Wow. Mm-hmm. It was like my best friend. Yeah. He literally was like, we're getting an apartment, you're gonna be okay.
And then after that, so when I was about 30, I like really started to love myself to realize, oh, I can change my life. I do have skills and talents. Wow. And then that's how my first company was born because I was acting out of a natural, [00:11:00] what my natural gifts were, which is supporting people, helping them be themselves.
But I had to like first go through that journey, I think myself. Absolutely. And then I will say, now I do wanna say a good word about my parents because they are amazing. We basically just had this like moment in my backyard. I literally went to my parents' house and I was like, listen, you can accept me or not.
Like I'm not changing, and I was getting a lot more recognition. Like I'm like, you're gonna see things about me publicly that you're not gonna like. Mm-hmm. Not that I was doing anything crazy, but just they're so concerned. This was a side of you that was, I'm like, yeah. And so I said. You can either like accept me or not.
Mm-hmm. But like, this is it. I'm only gonna be one person ever. Mm-hmm. And they were, we all cried and they hugged me and they're like, we love you no matter what. And now my mom's just like cat's on her own journey. Yeah. They would do anything to support me. They come to all my events. I do think they might like Shelby more than me.
I don't know because she's a lot nicer than me. But That's awesome. No Kat's parents. I love them. Yeah, they're like the sweetest. They are really good people, most kind, loving, happy, go-lucky people. That's [00:12:00] amazing. So fun. They're just very simple people. They're just very simple, but hearts are gold. Yeah.
Yeah. They would do anything for anybody and and they've been on their own journey too of, they've come a long way out of like house strict and Yeah. How they used to live. But yeah, we have a great relationship now. Well, let's talk about like what you guy, what you two are doing now in, in your, your profession mm-hmm.
Bridjet: With photography and marketing and how you stepped into this like, very empowering role for women. Like I know you work with men and women, but, but speaking in terms of women, um, specifically like even for me coming. Coming into like photography and showing up online and, and being photographed and, and just showing up.
It, it can make somebody feel so insecure and, and not worthy. How do you continue to show up for yourself and to also be able to empower your, like customers and your clients like by continuing to choose yourself and, and like, what does that look like now? I think it's one and the same. I [00:13:00] don't think it's any different because I think why?
Cat: We are able to connect with people and be good at what we do is because it's, we have self-acceptance, like we've talked about, that you can't, you can't show other people they're worthy or encourage them to put themselves out there, whatever. If you are not the full embodiment of that. Mm-hmm. We are not perfect by any means.
We all, we have our own issues. Mm-hmm. But the thing I will say is we are both, and this is why, you know, we are best friends too. What you see is what you get. We are one people. The people you see online, the people you see today, the people you're gonna see tomorrow. We have all the money. We have no money.
We have all the things, no things. Things go right, things go wrong. We are truly the same people. Mm-hmm. And so I think, you know, that's something I loved when I first hired Shelby, is how we met to help me photograph for my business. And I was like, oh yeah, what you see is what you get. And she brings that out in other people.
And I think I do that in a different way. Mm-hmm. But it's because we just. Already are that way. Does that make sense? Absolutely. Shelby, I've worked with you on so many events [00:14:00] and you really are that yes, kind, bubbly, fun, creative person that shows up and it's just, it's really, truly is authentic, like it really is you.
Bridjet: And so I'm just curious, like how do you, how do you keep your own tank full, like for yourself when you're not with Cat? Wait, wait. There's times you're not, when you're not with ka. Sorry. I do things alone. I swear. Barely. Um, I actually, it's taken a long time to figure this out, but I thrive in environments where there's energy.
Shelby: Like, I just love being around people. I like being at events. I like bopping. I like being in different locations every day. I live for the thrill. Mm-hmm. Like, I'm like the biggest FOMO person you've ever met. I, I worked on it. It's horrible, but. I do often get fomo, which is crazy to think 'cause I am like everywhere all the time.
But I'll see something be like, oh my gosh, there's no way I missed this. I can't believe it. But, um, I think this is kind of crazy, but from dance, I grew up in this kind of like live work environment. So like when I [00:15:00] worked on the cruise, obviously you're living with the people you work with. So 24 7, it's like this, right?
Bridjet: It really is in your DNA around you and you're like laughing and you're like, okay, we clocked out, but let's go hang out and do something fun. When I'm at these like events or with people, it's like that energy and I feel like so grateful that a lot of people I do work with, like Kat, like you want to be there and want it so bad that it's together.
Shelby: Like it's not just me being a photographer and you are being a client. It's really a collaboration and that's how it. Propels forward. So what you're saying is you get powered up by these events and you're not really somebody who needs to go home and like have this like solitude and, and like, oh, I do.
Bridjet: You do. I'll go home and be like. Don't call, don't talk, don't write, so do not disturb. Okay. Yes. I will be like D and DI think I have like the two extremes. I'm either like crazy and woo uhhuh and then I need to like, yeah. Audio same and say, yeah, I need to un, I can't talk to a soul. Yeah, absolutely. Let's talk [00:16:00] a little bit about some of your like really creative projects and some of your fun clients.
I mean, obviously the big ones are Delta, Virgin, um, n the Nurses project, but like, let's talk about some of that. Maybe that you can share with me that have been really cool to watch them blossom and and grow. Like have you, do you have any clients that you can kind of take us on the journey that you started maybe one place and grew the, grew their exposure or, yeah, I think hotel and.
Shelby: And Virgin are probably, yeah, the biggest, I think, I think the coolest thing. How did that happen? Like gimme the story. Virgin was a true cat manifestation. Okay. Yeah. And it's how I'm, that's why I'm doing my new company. It's, I I do have a process. Yes. It, it's, well, it is a manifestation, but it's. Also the process works and I'm now seeing it over and over.
Bridjet: Okay. But it's also part of Kat's Voodoo magic, I swear. Yeah. Well, absolutely. We all need a little magic. Right. Um, can you walk us through a little bit about like the outreach or how do you know if someone's gonna be a good fit? [00:17:00] Like, well, that's why you have to be yourself, right? Is why it starts to me, and you know, there.
Cat: This is why, you know, our struggle with social media, it's just not a blanket statement. It's just not a trending audio. It's just not mm-hmm x, y, and Z. It is energy and you have to work with brands and people that you align with and have equal energy exchange. That is how you know, and when I went on my, I'd never been on a cruise in my life until I was 38, and I was so busy taking care of my, you know, ex-boyfriend, you know, he's an ex now for a reason because I was like on the race circuit with him doing all his marketing, traveling for him.
I was like, I'm not even choosing myself. I'm like, I'm going on this Virgin Cruise, and I got on that cruise and I was like, these are my people. Wait, were you single on this cruise by yourself with no friends or did you go for a work trip? Oh, no, I was by myself. Oh, wow. I told them, I'm forget, I'm booking this cruise.
I've always wanted to go on a cruise. I'm going to Europe, bye. Mm-hmm. And then we ended up breaking up. Mm-hmm. But he never booked the cruise. I booked the cruise on my own. Wow. And that was like, you're like, I am going to like partner with Virgin. This is when I [00:18:00] got on the cruise. Mm-hmm. I was like, I love these people.
Mm-hmm. And I, I've always loved Richard Branson, but like, they just have a culture of like, anything goes, be yourself. The way the employees interact, the way they talk, like. Everything about it is just, it's just different. Mm-hmm. Yes. It's not stuffy. Mm-hmm. There's so much energy and I was like, I wanna work with these people.
I love Virgin. I love everything about it. I align with the values are so aligned. So I started creating content like I already worked with them. Okay. And this is the number one way I see people go wrong. We have, and truly, I love so much about Shelby, but one of the number one things I love about her is her abundant mindset.
Like Shelby is gonna do the most for everybody. She's gonna give you the most, she's gonna do the most. She's not gonna ask anything in return. And guess why stuff comes to us. Mm-hmm. Because we give, yeah. And I already knew this from my previous company. Mm-hmm. And so people I see have such, we, we've been at events and people tell us, oh, I wouldn't do that.
You're doing too much. You're giving too much. You're, why would you do that for free? You wouldn't send them a rate. I would never do that for free. I. [00:19:00] Who cares? Who cares if it's gonna come back? Mm-hmm. Well, I think that's also the Midwest girl in you. Like I just feel like you're like auth more authentic.
Bridjet: I gotta, I gotta be honest, I gotta like hype the Midwest girls up because, you know, it's, it's, I think it's like that kindness. It's true. They were from, it's the kindness. Piece where you're like, but that goes so far. But you know, it is your, it is, you have the business savviness, but also when you Oh, we making lucky, but also when you are really just like having fun and trying to serve and be, you know, authentic in that Oh yeah.
Like it, people can feel it. Yeah. So I just started making content, like I was working for them for free and went on, ended up going on another cruise, and then I just kept putting out into the universe saying, I'm gonna work with Virgin. Mm-hmm. I'm gonna work with Virgin. I'm gonna work with Virgin. I had a friend tell me, because I was talking about it, about an influencer platform.
Cat: Or you can apply to work with brands. We both applied Shelby's like calling me on the phone. I got the email. I didn't get it, but you probably got it. And so I checked my email and uh, I got it. Mm-hmm. I got the trip, so [00:20:00] just us on FaceTime, literally sobbing. Oh my God. So it was really cool. So Aw, it was great.
Yeah. How many years ago? That was just in January. January of 2024. Okay. We found out in October of like 23. Yeah. Then did you bring her along on it anyways? Did you say you're just, you're still coming? Yeah, I brought her with me. Because you still Yeah. You guys, that was the plus one. Lucky you guys. Lucky did it.
Yeah. I said, please add this to my file. Yeah. Like, you know, she has a file about me. Okay. And then you made a whole thing, like you brought people along and you did a whole contact shoe and you made it like very interactive. Well, that was the next one. So we ended up getting offered that. Gotcha. They loved our energy, they loved our content, they loved everything we were doing.
So then they asked us to host, no, but first, let me tell you why we got this host. Group, group trip thing. Yeah. And this is because Kat, this is where she shines and is marketing. Yeah. And always giving back. Obviously we were on this trip for Virgin, making content for Virgin. Yeah. To get people to come cruise.
Shelby: But this influencer company that sent us Journey, journey, they're a business and that is their business. [00:21:00] And Kat is B2B and she's a really marketing a genius at marketing. Decided to make a video. She said, we need to make a video for Journey. It's not just for Virgin. Yeah. Nobody's think about Journey who got us here.
Bridjet: So we filmed this video for Journey. Mm-hmm. You know, she just happened to have, talk to me about filming the video for Journey and like when that light bulb went off, were you just honestly trying to just give them something nice to make them feel good? Or were you like, this is gonna, they're gonna use this?
Cat: No, I just, I don't, I wasn't, I had no outcome attached to it. I just think. I don't know why it did it. I just, that's what I do. That is, that is what Kat does that where most people just see this like one lane. I, yeah, I think Cat sees six. Okay. There's this company. There's this company. They're partnering with this company.
Shelby: So if we make something with them, but it's never with an intention. I think that's why it works is 'cause the intention is, oh, if we do this, we're gonna get something. Yeah. It's just like, I just think this would really be something nice for them. Let's see what happens. But then Shelby takes it up a nudge.
Cat: 'cause I'll her photography in the video. I lucky that her [00:22:00] videographer happened to be with her on this crew. I mean, you know, someone better also very talented. Yeah. To go with. So we filmed this video, it's like the last day I think we were literally getting off the ship like that day, and we film it and send it to them.
Shelby: And that's how this even opened the door. 'cause they were like, we actually use this video to pitch to investors. Investors. And they made a ton of money on it. That's amazing. So they were like, we just love your energy, what you do. This was so kind, blah, blah blah. Long story short. We ended up posting group trip and the other thing about it, I did that Instagram video.
Cat: Yes. Saying I had made a video on my Instagram talking about journey and how I worked with Virgin because I don't gate keep anything. Mm-hmm. So when people ask like how I got the collaboration, all that, I literally made a whole video and posted it saying. This is how, so the journey owner, founder, and owner is now calling me, has my cell, and is calling me on the phone.
Right. And they're like, we, there's more. We need more. Yeah, we need more. Kat, you got, you got the, the wand out. Yeah. Um, you mentioned something earlier about mindset and, and I just wanted to, to go back on that. [00:23:00] Like that just. Willingness to, to be able to be like, laser focused. Like what, what do you do on the backend to like, keep your mind and, and your marketing mind going?
Bridjet: Do you listen to podcasts or read books or put, put yourself in rooms with other inspiring women? Like what types of, what does that side of, of like the business look like? Because it's not always just like showing up. It's like there's a lot of backend networking and, you know, late nights researching and.
Like, can you talk to me a little bit about like what you do to kind of like Well, we have different, different methods. Yeah. Approaches. I'll say we both meditate. Okay. And Shelby, when Shelby meditates is crazy, what comes out. Okay. I'm more of like a breather 'cause I feel things in my body. She meditates the, and I meditate too, but meditate, meditating not the same for me is not the, what happens to her is very crazy.
Cat: Um, but I actually don't listen to a lot of podcasts and I don't like to see what other people are doing. And I'm. I like have a lot of people muted and I, even with my previous company, I wouldn't follow anyone [00:24:00] else. I, I am not a researcher and I don't like doing that because it messes with me and my ideas.
So I like am blinders on, but that's why I'm friends with the right people. So Shelby's the researcher. Okay. And then, so I am the FBI. She is the BI. So I don't know why I am this way, but I do think it's something with like my ideas and it allows me to like stay in my own lane. Mm-hmm. I'm very oblivious.
She's like, Kat, it's bad like you, how do you not know? Everyone knows. Yeah. You need to, you just have be friends. Some things you need to know. Yeah. I'm like, you need to know this, but Got you. It just works for me. Yeah. Yeah. And I've always been this way. I do read mindset books. Mm-hmm. Um, I, I do read and I, you know, have my morning routines.
I'm super big on working out, but I'm like a experience 'cause and I have to breathe 'cause I feel things in my body. It's hard to explain, but amazing and I'm sure you went on your own journey through Colorado to really understand what are those like things that I need to do to get in my body and to Yes.
Bridjet: Get in my feelings and my emotions and yeah. [00:25:00] Anything with you that you wanna share? Any podcasts or like certain networking groups or like people she's under every, you need, we have a whole podcast just on that. You don't have enough time. I'm in every group. I love to be the know every Facebook group, if you need a Facebook group, a referral.
Shelby: I know the people. I literally know. She's in the moms groups. I'm in the moms group. I'm not even a mom. That's amazing. I'm, why is she this way? I just like to, this is why you're booked and busy. Yeah. I like to be everywhere. I say I'm everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. People are like, I don't even know where in the world you are.
Meanwhile, I'm laying in bed, like listening to some guy on YouTube asking chat, gt p chat, GPT to pull tarot cards for me. Like that's, no, she is, but they're like, where are you? And I'm like, oh, I'm just at home right now. Just minding my own business. So. And that's how we've gotten a lot of collaborations because she is in all these groups.
Cat: Mm-hmm. So she'll tell me and make me do it because I have a bigger fallen cat. Go buy for this, go do this, go research this. So she does this like kind of work stuff. I like it. So she does, that's a [00:26:00] great teamwork. Oh no, she does the back end like research. For us, and then I like closed the deal. Yeah. And like we kind of have a good thing going.
Well. And, and as your company is growing, like you're having to put in more procedures and Oh yeah. Strategy and, and you have to have someone like this. Yeah. All the different like pieces Oh yeah. Of entrepreneurship. As your business is growing, so what types of like systems are you, are you implementing now as your business is growing and how are you staying like Uber organized and also able to scale?
Bridjet: 'cause obviously like you're launching another business and you're. Here, there and everywhere. So like how, how is like entrepreneurship in like helping you grow as a, as a business woman and also just like making you continue to step into like that power role, like asking for these prices, having the confidence to go for the deals.
Cat: We've gotten a lot better. We've gotten a lot better. This is what I'll say. The number one thing we've done that I think has helped. We do have extensive planning meetings. We have now like take time to step back. [00:27:00] In the past, we were kind of just like willy-nilly, should we do this? Should we do that? Like we are so focused on what we want, our goals, we have a whole year calendar.
We've planned out our whole year. We're now saying no to things we don't want, yes to things we do want, and we have gotten so much more organized. Yes. Is there like a dream client or like a, like a avatar client where you're like, this person needs to have X amount of followers, they need to be engaging with their eyes like, like they need to be like the package that we can sell.
Bridjet: Like how does that work? How for my new business, do you tell people no. That approach you or, oh yes. I mean that's always working on that word progress. No, I just think because of what we do individually, the answers to that are very different. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Obviously, with me as photography most of the time.
Shelby: Actually, I do have a lot of repeat clients, but a lot of the times it's a one-off project. Okay. So do I say no a lot? No. 'cause it's probably just a one and done. You know what I mean? Where I feel like what Kat does is a more ongoing, it's not like a here's the project, here's your deliverables. Thank you.
Have a nice [00:28:00] day. It's a little bit more extensive and she's more involved, but that's why I call her the therapist. Because she really has to connect on like this deep, deep level and work with people, right? Yeah. Beyond just the surface event or what's happening, you know, where I'm like, okay, obviously I understand you have an event.
Mm-hmm. I will take the photos. Right. They will look great. And your job is really to tell the story, right? Is it, is it a lot of like understanding like all the different pieces when you go into like a marketing project? Yeah. And asking a lot of ques, is there like a lot of intake that goes along with that?
Bridjet: Yeah, it is to tell the story, but also if I'm, if I'm building partnerships and relationships for people, it's a relationship. So I have to understand their values. I have to understand where they're going, like. Even what they're posting about, like, I can already tell you if it's gonna work or not. Mm-hmm.
Cat: Because I'm like, no, that's not even aligned. Why are you posting that? Yeah. And they don't, maybe we even want to hear that. Right. Do you know what I mean? Like, they're telling me one thing, like half the time I'll, I'll tell her. I'm like, that's not even what's happening. Wow. Like the words that are coming out of their mouth, I'm like, that ain't what's going on.
She's like, what? I'm like, you're like, this is [00:29:00] going nowhere. Yeah, yeah. I'm like, this is not what's happening. Wow. And then I have to like, I always say like, get to the root. Mm-hmm. But I have to like get to the root of what is actually happening. Then I can figure it out. Then I'm like, okay, now this is what we do.
Bridjet: Amazing. Yeah. So, um, let's talk about this like company that you're thinking. 'cause I know I, I sort of like have been, you know, crying at both of you. Yeah. As, as my own. Like, just even my own opportunities keep coming up. Like, I feel like I'm probably like a lot of creators. Where we, the more we put out there and when we are in alignment, the more it comes back.
Oh, yeah. And like even my own husband's like, you just keep putting stuff out there. You're asking for all these opportunities. And I'm like, well, yeah, but I'm also just kind of like seeing like, like just seeing like what the un, how the universe responds. Um, so I'm just curious like. When you put these deals together for people, are you, do they come to you with the deal or are you going out and finding it for them?
Like how does it work? Yeah, I'm finding it for 'em. So essentially like you bring them on and then you [00:30:00] say like, this is a fit for you. Mm-hmm. They might already have some relationships that I can nurture or some ideas, but it's my idea to be like, Hey, this is like, just picture me as the middle person being like, this is how I think you two can work together.
Cat: And I think. There's so many things that I'm not good at. And you can structure the deal. Yes. I think that is the one thing I'm good at is coming up with the ideas about how. Like, yes. Amazing. About how we can do it. Well, and you've done sponsorships, partnerships, collaborations. Mm-hmm. Um, branding, photography, videography.
Bridjet: Yeah. We have everything we need. Instagram, like TikTok, I mean, everything under the sun. You guys have like, you know, check the box. I don't know about that, but Thank you. What advice do you have for a creator who wants to grow but doesn't have a lot of money? Somebody who doesn't have a big budget for all these, like, you know, oh, I grew mine, a brand photo shoot.
Don't need it. And a podcast don't need it. And a, you know, partnerships, collaborations. What are things people can start doing right now to [00:31:00] like start collaborating and start actually cultivating like maybe some like deals that could be profitable? Turn your iPhone on. Mm-hmm. Just post it. Just post whatever you want it.
Cat: I built my whole first company on the most raw. People would ask me like, teach me how to grow an Instagram following. I'm like, turn your camera on. Turn it around. This is like the easiest thing you could do. Document. That's it. What about you, Shelby? Well, the following is still in the works, but I just feel like you don't, you don't need anything.
Shelby: I mean, there's people out there who literally are in basement. No, she, yeah, viral. You've had viral tiktoks things. Her, her tiktoks are great. Some things that popped out, what I'm hearing is like, just be yourself. Yes. When people put too much pressure on themselves to have all the things and the professional photos and the professional video and the studio, believe me, we the, you know, collaboration.
Bridjet: Please. How you're the photographer. No, I'm just kidding. You really don't need any of it. [00:32:00] People get so hung up on how it looks and this and that, but at the end of the day, don't eat it. So what advice can you give somebody who wants to like have those partnerships? Just dm, do you, do you like go through like the decision makers?
What advice do you have for somebody who wants to like scale their personal brand? If I wanted partnerships, I would ask, how can I offer value? That is it. If you offer value, you will have followers. You will get the partnerships. Like I wanted to work with LaCroix forever. If you know me, you know I love LaCroix.
Cat: Okay, these people, do you think they ever call me back? No. But I tag them all the time. Mm-hmm. And guess who's now on the LaCroix PR list? Because of Shelby turning the camera on in the viral video. Video. You're welcome. Yeah. I owe Shelby for that one. We did have a viral video. But like, I was literally carrying my LaCroix when we went to the wrong home for a photo shoot because sometimes, you know, we are a little hot mess.
And Shelby just happened to capture it and everyone's laughing. I put my LaCroix in someone else's fridge. It was hilarious. But like, and you saved the LaCroix. Yeah. You didn't leave it, saved it. I didn't leave it, I didn't leave it behind, but like, [00:33:00] yeah, all my videos, I always have like, I'm, you know, Uber Eats or whatever.
Um, Instacart, you're not la not Instacart. Little LaCroix to your house. Always. Yeah. Okay. Always. I was thinking like one can, oh, it's like whole case. Oh, the whole case. Oh, no, no, no. We have the whole case. Um, I drink like an inappropriate amount cro, but there was no secret, like I just offer value. I tag in.
Everyone's like, oh, I'm not gonna do this if I don't get paid. And I've had so many people, I've just go to my Instagram with so many videos about this. If you are not doing spec work, which is doing work for free, you're not gonna get the deal. And anyone that I work with. My new company I literally have on there.
Mm-hmm. Collaboration is the name of the game. Play or sit out because if you're not willing to collaborate, sit out, I'm not working with you. Mm-hmm. You do, you have a spot there that says, are you willing to do free content? Yes. Which is, you know, a great place to start for everybody. Yeah. Because if, if you're not, and that's not aligned for you, no problem.
Right. Like that's great. It's not a good fit for me. And I was just reading a book, um, by Tim Ferriss, tools of Titans, and he literally says in that [00:34:00] book. Like he interviewed all these billionaires with a B, and he lists like 10 things. They all have in common. One of 10 things all these billionaires had in common was they do work for free even still.
Bridjet: Amazing. And I was like, what other information do we need? And we are still doing work for free. Well, and it just goes back to that relationship piece, which is so important. And it's like the foundation of like what you ladies do because you love yourselves and you love other people. You love your business, you love traveling.
And it just shows like it's really obvious. And again, you have to align yourself with people that also have that mindset because not everybody does. Mm-hmm. And there's so many times where we both say. Thank God we're a lie. Because if one person say, I wanted to give photos, but she doesn't wanna do it Uhhuh, or she wants to give something, and I'm like, don't tell my idea.
Cat: Right, because you now, you're now you're giving her service away. Now she's giving your service. Yes. But. Do you have enough trust in each other where you're like, well, if she sold that and wants me to do an X amount of, you know, PR marketing for [00:35:00] them. You don't don disagree though. No, I think, well we've traveled a lot together, which if you ever wanna trust or test uhhuh, you wanna find out if you trust and test a friendship.
Shelby: Uhhuh, we look, got a cruise ship together like live in a cruise ship room or live. We were in Florida for six weeks. I don't know. These are just things that you, same everywhere. You just know your core values. Mm-hmm. And there's no question it, I, it is not like tiptoeing or wondering, oh, do you think this would make her bad?
It's like, no, it's not even, no. And if she says that she has a bad feeling or something about it, I think it's for a reason. Mm-hmm. And so I, I would say, oh, I, you know, we've been in meetings where she's like, we ain't doing that. And I didn't. Maybe have as strong a feeling, but I'm like, no, I agree. I mean, we've never had a thing where I wanted to give something or you wanted to give something and we didn't do it.
Bridjet: Are there any lessons that you have learned along the way, like the cat of 2025 and the Shelby of 2025 is not the Shelby and cat of No, you know, 20 22, 20 23. Like, it's a constant evolution of, you know, again, stepping into that power like. Having that worth and [00:36:00] knowing like your value you bring, what, like what are some of the lessons that you can reflect back on and be like, oh, I, you know, that was maybe the universe like testing me or setting me up for something, or you know, what do they say?
Rejection is redirection. Yeah. Yes. So have you had any of those moments where you can really look back on and be like, oh my gosh, whether it even be a relationship or just maybe a client or an event. I think there's a little voice inside. I don't know if everyone has this voice, but it's the little voice where you say, this is a bad idea, but then you do it anyway.
Shelby: Okay? Mm-hmm. And then, and then you go, can't argue that, oh, I think that voice was right. Yeah. And maybe I should have actually listened to it. So then the next time it comes up, you go, ah, I've heard this voice before. What am I gonna do this time? Listen to my intuition. Mm-hmm. I think I might listen to it.
Mm-hmm. And then you go, wow, I think it was right. Yeah. This worked. Yeah. And then you keep doing it and it just gets better and better, and. We have seen this come up multiple times where in the past we've been like, I don't care. We're just gonna do it anyway. Yeah. Blah, blah, blah. Yeah. And then, so don't you really like go against [00:37:00] your gut instinct, your intuition, and Yes.
I think being able to listen to that voice and listen to what is being presented and if something is like providing so much resistance and so much pushback. Like maybe it really is for a reason. Right? I think you know the difference of when you're supposed to push and work hard. Mm-hmm. And when you're like, this is just not mm-hmm.
Not the right choice. Right? Yes. This is clearly not meant to be, and that's okay because. Who knows what's coming. Right, right. Redirection. Yeah. What about for you, Kat? Do you have any specifics that you can think back on where like, yeah. Uh, there's not enough time to get to say them all, but I think one of the biggest lessons for me really, that has set me so much further ahead in the last like year to two years has just been really releasing the outcome and making sure that I'm not focused.
Cat: Like in the past, even us, we were kind of. We're relying on one, we'd get so caught up in working with a brand or so caught up in one thing that we were like putting all our eggs in that basket. [00:38:00] Mm-hmm. It's giving like a little bit of desperation and lack. Mm-hmm. And so I think it changed for both of us, but even myself with so many areas in my life, relationships, dating, all these things, it's like never about the brand, the person.
Any of that, it's just you. Mm-hmm. What you learn. The process. The journey, yeah. We've had, so, and you know, it's so corny they say that about the journey. Mm-hmm. But it's like true. It's true. Mm-hmm. And we've had so many things not work out. Mm-hmm. And now we just really don't. We're like, fine. It's fine.
Mm-hmm. Because it's not about that thing. Mm-hmm. It would just have been about. Did we make a deck? Now we have a deck for the next time. Oh, we learned that. We actually don't wanna do that, can you? There's been so many things where we're like, thank God we let that go and we're not attached to that.
Because if that would've happened, this wouldn't have happened. It wouldn't have happened. And it's, it's so crazy. And even in dating, I'm like. Man, it's not about that person. It's just even showing me, oh, that exists. Mm-hmm. Or, oh, that's out there. Or, oh, I love that. Don't love that. Mm-hmm. Whatever it is.
Business, [00:39:00] anything. So just like really releasing the outcome, I think for me has been like. Yeah. That's amazing. Huge in the last year. It takes a, takes a long time for some people to really be able to surrender to, you know what, what the journey is. But then once you do that, it's like B, buckle up, the flood gates are open.
Shelby: Right. And you have just a knowing yes, that you're in a trust for God in the universe. Are you spiritual? Do you pray, like, I know you mentioned meditation, journaling. What does that look like for you too? I would say I am spiritual, that I would agree with. I have my medium, I go to the tarot people. Mm-hmm.
I definitely believe in that. I would say my, my faith is Judaism. Mm-hmm. I'm not like uber religious or anything. Mm-hmm. But it's definitely a cultural in mm-hmm. Who I am and how I was raised and what I believe, but. At the end of the day, I really just mostly trust in the universe. Yeah. And I say, I'm just going with the flow and trusting.
I love that. Trusting. Whichever way the wind blows. Yeah. And it hasn't blown the wrong way yet. Yeah. So I'm just gonna keep, and when it does, you keep going so you're safe. And so I'm just gonna [00:40:00] keep flying until it, yeah. I don't know. It stops or who knows. Yep. I love that. I have a lot of issues with religion because of how I was uhhuh raised.
Cat: So I'm not religious at all, but I'm also very spiritual. I believe in God, the universe. A hundred percent believe in something, and I'm very in tune with myself. I believe in energy times a million. Mm-hmm. For sure spiritual, but I am like mm-hmm. You will never, I mean, I said I'm only going to church if it's my grandma's dying wish.
Yeah. That's it. Well, and you know what you've learned over, over the years. Yeah. Like what you know, speaks to you. Yes. And I'm the same way I was, I grew up very religious, like we did all the youth group. Yes. And this church and the Wednesday and, and in my twenties I was like, religion is the last thing I wanna think about right now.
Bridjet: I wanna just figure out who I am without all these expectations and boundaries and rules. Everything. Um, so what are your future goals and like what does 20, 25 and beyond have in store for you ladies? Is there anything fun you can share or something you're looking forward [00:41:00] to? Anything that's like, things s like, kinda like, you know, maybe the universe is dangling something and you're chasing a dream or a vision.
Cat: Oh, I said this year all my wishes are coming True. So I intend to fall in love, have my dream partnerships, launch my new company. It's amazing. Yeah. You, you're claiming it. I I literally feel inside and claiming it is just, I mean, honestly, half the battle is being able to truly manifest and, and see clearly what your goals are and Oh, yeah.
Bridjet: And I feel it. Know it's coming. It's not happen. All my wishes are coming. True. You can ask our that. I love that. I love it. I wanna say that to like, every day all my wishes are coming. True. They are. Yes. That's, they're, that's why, that's the vibe for 2025. It's the year. I love that. Yeah. Shelby, um, I said my word for this year was VIP.
Shelby: Oh yeah. That's hell yeah. Does Shelby, you always VIP were, um, California and there was a rental car and the little key card, the little key. For the car had VIP written on it and I said, you know what? Yeah, this is not for me. 2025 is gonna be the year of VIP. Was that in that [00:42:00] moment you just, you declared it?
Yeah. It was on the cruise, yes, because okay. We had gone on a cruise in, she had already said it, and then we had to sign and we were in the like rockstar status, which is the VIP. Then we both upgraded our delta status and then I got this car key that said VIP, and I said, that's it. Yep. That's the word. So it has been quite a VIP year if I say so myself.
But I just think any opportunity that comes, that involves travel, that involves being with friends, that involves seeing the world, capturing the world. Anything like that is the dream. Absolutely. And if it's on a yacht and it feels a little VIP, you know, better. No complaints. Now, um, what are your thoughts on like going to London at the end of the year?
Bridjet: Oh, calendar. It's in your calendar. Have we heard of this? Like Worthy London will be. Seeing you ladies for high tea and doing all the, but you know, Shelby's Medium already told us that we were going to London before you brought this up. Do you know that? Mm-hmm. I do not, but I also consulted several psychics on this entire London thing and they're all like, game on, game on, game on.
Oh, Shelby, my medium psych, you'll be going to [00:43:00] London twice. Wow. That one split twice. And she did say it might be our research trip that's coming up in a couple months. Oh, maybe she should have counted a few more times. No. Awesome. She could have upped that to four. Awesome. Do you guys have anything else that's like pressing that would be really cool to, to tell everybody that they can like follow you along?
Just some trip? Yeah. We we're going to Europe. When is the group trip and what does that happen entail? And can other people join? What are that cruise? So this is our content cruise. Okay. It's with Virgin. It is leaving out of Athens. And we'll be sailing around Greece, Croatia. Montenegro. It's July 27th to August 3rd.
Shelby: We did, this is what we did last year. This, so one week? Yep. Okay. One week. One. Amazing week. And sailing. You start in Greece and end in Greece. Yep. Okay. Round trip. And the beauty is we already have an amazing group of women going. This is like our girlies Is this is all women? Yes. Hard. This last year we had a lot of couples, but this year so far, it's for the girlies.
Love that. Um, but the bonuses, you get to make content, make friends, you'll get photos, and it's literally the best time. Like who doesn't wanna go on a gross trip? So are [00:44:00] we framing this as like a content trip? Yeah. For, okay. So you're providing, and then will you be assisting with like the marketing and the messaging and Yeah.
Bridjet: Yep. And I feel like we didn't even really get into the social rebel because that really is like, I mean, for me, that's kind of how I, like when I think of Kat and Shelby think of, oh, they're like the, the social rebel team. Is social rebel still very much like. Full speed ahead. Are you doing your popups and your teachings and Yeah.
If people hire, packaging it all together, hire, if people wanna hire us together, we have social work, which is a no-brainer. Everybody listening. No brainer if you, if you're looking for one, you need the other. Yeah. But we still have our own brands as well. Mm-hmm. So it's just a way to work with both of us together.
Shelby: Yeah. But we still have, we have our own, own things. Yeah. Her print shop and Shelby doing photography. I'll be launching six staff group. Can you remind us what that's called? Sixth staff group. Six. A group. Group. That would be my agency. Okay. That will be the agency. Yeah. Awesome. Well, thank you guys. So thanks for this.
Bridjet: This was incredible. I love both of you so much. Thank you. And I'm just so excited to continue to watch you grow and to work with you. And just [00:45:00] the future's bright. It is. Yes. Yes. VIP you in in Europe. Yes. See you in Europe. Our wishes are coming. True. Yes. They sure all. Well, thank you guys so much for listening and we'll see you next time.