Caitlyn Smith, Web Designer, Photographer, social Media Manager

This week’s employee spotlight is on one of our web designers, Caitlyn Smith.

1. WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH HIPB2B?

Web designer, photographer, copywriter, and social media manager. I started out as a part-time data scraper and have now been here for eight and a half years.

2. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT HIPB2B?

The flexibility, empathy, and open-mindedness the company offers. Our hybrid workplace. Honorable mention: Friday lunch takeout.

3. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM WORKING AT HIPB2B?

I’ve learned how to be a self-starter, wear many hats, and work both independently and as part of a team.

4. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING?

I have too many hobbies and they change with the seasons. I love cars. Hiking and camping in the ADKs and bagging High Peaks (I’m currently at 30/46.) Exploring and adventuring as much as possible. Playing the stock market. Watching new movies. Hanging out with my cats, Atlas and Gambit. Beautifying my home and yard. Taking photos.

5. WHAT’S ONE GOOD MEMORY FROM DURING THE PANDEMIC?

The pandemic was rough in more ways than one but it did offer me the time and energy to learn new skills. I learned how to sew face masks, illustrate pet portraits, and got really into gardening and landscaping. My favorite part was meeting the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.

6. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN A POST-COVID WORLD?

Normalcy, being able to travel the world, and hearing less of people’s opinions on COVID.

7. TOP 5 DESERT ISLAND BOOKS/MOVIES/TV SHOWS/PODCASTS ETC.

(movies) 1. Midsommar, 2. Interstellar, 3. Romeo + Juliet (1996), 4. I, Tonya, 5. mother!

(books) 1. 11/22/63 by Stephen King, 2. It’s What I Do by Lynsey Addario, 3. The Shining by Stephen King, 4. Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury, 5. At the Mercy of the Mountains by Peter Bronski

(tv shows) 1. Westworld, 2. Black Mirror, 3. The Office, 4. Stranger Things, 5. The Twilight Zone

(video games) 1. Skyrim, 2. Fallout 4, 3. Horizon Zero Dawn, 4. Call of Duty, 5. The Outer Worlds

8. WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’m a huge movie nerd, especially when it comes to horror and sci-fi. I go by “Caitee” everywhere else in the world but the HIP office (and the DMV.)

9. WHAT IS ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF?

Starting and running my wedding photography business. Buying my home. Living in NYC. Owning my dream car. Finding a passion for life.

10. WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT?

Digital illustrations and my customer service voice.

11. IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’d love to learn plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. I’d love to be able to disassemble a car engine and rebuild it, and especially restore and rebuild my dream cars. I’d also love to learn how to forage, bushcraft, and essentially survive in the wilderness.

12. PC OR MAC? IPHONE OR ANDROID?

Mac and iPhone. AirDrop, for the win.

13. WHAT’S ONE PROJECT YOU’RE WORKING ON, PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?

For HIP, I just finished refreshing and updating our website. This Employee Spotlight project has been my other big project. For my photography business, I’m currently creating a second business that’s more centered on elopements and microweddings in the ADKs. I’ve also started designing wedding stationery. For myself, preparing my house to be put on the market.

14. WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

My bucket list is mostly hikes, including Mt. Fuji, the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Greater Patagonian Trail, and Machu Picchu. I also want to live in Japan for any amount of time and get any of my creative work published.