Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Smith.
Cathy, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m Cathy, and I published the diary of my dating life. In May of 2016, I created a social dating experiment to find out if it was possible to go on a date every day for a month. Turns out, it is more than possible. I wrote about my experience as a 24-year old female swiping right for the first time. My local radio station (Mix 96.5) and newspaper (Houston Press) promoted my mission and began discussing whether or not men should still be paying for the first date.
Two years later, my locally famous blog is now a book titled, No Pay May – Thirty-One Dates in Thirty-One Days. No Pay May is my own personal ode to modern millennial dating. The story of how dating strangers off online apps shifts dating culture from romantic dinners to causal left swipes. The book is based in Houston and features some of Houston’s most notable date spots.
When I’m not meeting my next Bumble date, I’m working as a financial manager at Stage Stores Inc. – a 1.5-billion-dollar retail chain and recently graduated with my MBA from University of Houston Clear Lake. On the weekends, I explore Houston with my creative friends and my Canon Rebel camera.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m a writer, author, and blogger. I enjoy telling stories through the written word. Writing, for me, is a form of self-expression. Choosing certain vocabulary or sentence structures is a poetic way to share stories, thoughts, and visions.
Writing involves risk taking. Truthfully, all forms of creativity involve risk. One must risk authenticity, vulnerability, and fear. This risk, though sometimes difficult, is what relates the creator to the people who enjoy their creation. My readers are the ones who relate to my words. This is only made possible by risking your true self, your true thoughts, and your true feelings. I hope people who read my words are encouraged to take risks, experience life, and say “yes” to a few more Bumble dates.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
Success is extremely subjective. Everyone defines success differently. Success to me is consistent growth. As an artist, consistently creating work and sharing it with others is success. Sharing your creations with the world and receiving feedback grows you as an artist. Success is working hard to apply feedback, gather inspiration, and consistently share your creation with the world.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My recent book, No Pay May: Thirty-One Dates in Thirty-One Days is available on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble online. In the Houston area, the book is available in Cacao Gifts, Pretty Little Things Boutique, and Fine Jewelry and River Oaks Book Store.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.nopaymay.com
- Email: chat@nopaymay.com
- Instagram: @extracashcathy
- Other: @nopaymaybook
Image Credit:
Angelica Duong
Emily Zuniga
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
