ByrdHouse Public Relations

BABES IN HART: Cat Taylor

PR goddess Cat Taylor never ceases to amaze me -- she's a bright, beautiful ball of energy and she's absolutely incredible at what she does.

She spilled all the goods about her wealth of motivation and the experiences that carried her up the hospitality ladder. Have a look (and here, too), I promise it'll leave you itching to get going on whatever professional/artistic/soulful endeavor your heart is seeking.

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?

My dad always told me - start, follow-through, and finish a task and you’ll be ahead of the majority. I try to apply this daily. It’s so easy to get sidetracked or fall down the online rabbit hole, but if you focus on a task and complete it, there’s nothing more rewarding.

What does ‘success’ mean to you? How do you define it?

For me, success equates to respect. I deem myself - and others - successful if our peers and friends respect and honor the job we do. In my line of work, it’s all about reputation and how you treat others so if I’m successful, then it means I’m working in an honest, admirable way and people are taking notice.

What are your character traits you are most proud of?

I’m a serious planner (which is a character flaw too)! Planning and organization is a huge part of my business, so I’m proud that I’m able to do that with ease. I’m also proud of my ability to connect with people. My mom is a talker and for better or worse, she passed that trait on to me. I can have a conversation with a brick wall and that comes in handy.

In moments of self-doubt, how do you build yourself back up?

I turn to friends for a confidence boost. There’s nothing better than taking a long walk around Charleston with a pal and hashing out doubts. It makes you realize that most things aren’t that big of a deal.

What’s your favorite part about your job/business?

Eating! Joking...kind of. Truthfully, I love just about everything about my job. I consider myself incredibly lucky to talk about my favorite thing - food - with the most passionate and talented people in the business. The fact that I get to do it in my favorite city is the cherry on top.  

What called you to your line of work? Do you remember when you first learned about it?

I didn’t even know this career existed until I met my now-business partner, then-boss, Annie Byrd Hamnett, when I was a junior at the College of Charleston. She brought me on as her intern and introduced me to the hospitality PR world. I was hooked immediately. I love that it’s come full circle and we’re now partners at ByrdHouse.

What quotation/motto inspires you to be your best self?

“Life begins when your comfort zone ends.” Sounds cheesy, but I saw it on a billboard when I was graduating college and I took it as a sign to take a leap and move to Chicago to start my career. Since then, that motto has pushed me to take a lot of other risks.

What’s your no-fail go-to when you need to get out of a creative rut?

Taking a break from the computer and drinking a glass of wine with my business partner, Annie, always helps me re-energize. We’re extremely tight and so much alike, we basically finish each other’s sentences. I feel most stimulated and creative when we’re tossing around ideas.

Name a fear or professional worry that keeps you up at night.
I’m constantly in fear of “phasing out.” It feels like things are changing so rapidly - from the way we communicate to the way you post a photo on Instagram - and I’m scared of becoming obsolete.