Empowering Women in Refinishing: Cait’s Journey with Vintage by Cait

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Bearded Finisher Podcast, Zach Shrum chats with Cait from Vintage by Cait, who shares her inspiring journey into the cabinet refinishing industry. Cait discusses how she transitioned from bartending to running her own business during the COVID pandemic, overcoming challenges and building her brand through social media. She highlights the importance of preparation, customer experience, and community support in the refinishing industry. The conversation also touches on empowering women, balancing work and personal life, and embracing the creative possibilities of DIY home improvement. Cait offers valuable advice for aspiring refinishers, encouraging them to overcome fear of failure and focus on continuous learning and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Cait launched her business after being furloughed during COVID, turning her basement into a studio.
• Proper preparation is key to achieving high-quality results in refinishing.
• Social media plays a crucial role in growing her business and engaging customers.
• Prioritizing customer experience helps build trust and repeat business.
• Cait encourages aspiring refinishers to embrace failure as part of the learning process.
• Building a supportive community is vital for industry growth and personal development.
• Work-life balance is essential for productivity and mental well-being.
• DIY projects and creativity can empower individuals to transform their spaces.
• Understanding coatings and their applications is critical for success in refinishing.

Titles:

1. From Bartender to Business Owner: Cait’s Journey in Cabinet Refinishing
2. Empowering Women and Building Community in the Refinishing Industry
3. Social Media, Customer Experience, and DIY Success with Vintage by Cait

Sound Bites:

• "I turned my basement into a literal studio."
• "You could paint anything if you prep it right."
• "Don't be afraid to fail because most likely you're going to."

Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction to Vintage by Cait
02:54 — Cait’s Journey into Cabinet Refinishing
05:56 — Transitioning to Full-Time Business Ownership
08:49 — Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship
12:05 — Social Media Strategies for Business Growth
15:02 — Prioritizing Customer Experience in Refinishing
18:02 — Advice for Aspiring Refinishers
21:07 — Achieving Work-Life Balance in Business
24:03 — Empowering Women and Building Community
26:58 — Final Thoughts and Social Media Presence