Charity Kubena

Give her a follow and say hello!

1. Tell me a little bit about you, who is Charity outside of work?

I was born here in the PNW, studied Creative Writing at Western Washington University, and then hopped around Southern California for a bit before returning to beautiful Seattle. I'm a classic Enneagram Type 4 and love to surround myself with beauty, so I spend a lot of my free time creating in small ways: collaborating with friends on just-for-fun photoshoots, baking, decorating my space (especially now that we're home allll the time), and getting inspired on Pinterest. My husband and I also love to camp and road trip with our dog Whiskey! Oh, and I'm currently pregnant with our first baby, soooo I'm spending a lot of time looking at tiny outfits and trying to restrain myself.

2. What do you do for work?

I'm the Director of Marketing Communications for a woman-owned chocolate company. Every day is different, but working with a small team means I get to be hands-on, which I love! On any given day I could be photographing a new product launch, looking at packaging designs with the team, planning an upcoming social campaign, working with influencers and PR, or yes, tasting new chocolate bars (the best part, obviously). It's super important to me that my values are aligned with the company I work for, and I feel lucky to have found that here in Seattle.

3. As a female, what are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced within your industry / the workplace or within the education system?

Working for mostly small companies, and women-owned at that, I've been spared many of the more glaring obstacles that many women face in the workplace - though I'm always shocked by the "small" things, like being at an event with my husband and a man going around the table and introducing himself/shaking hands with only the other men at the table (eye roll). Especially at the start of my career, I always found it difficult to negotiate a pay raise, even when I knew I was adding value to an organization - but I've been lucky enough to have female mentors advocate on my behalf, as I learned to do it myself.

4. How have you been staying creative/inspired during a pandemic?

Honestly, it comes in waves. I'm working on giving myself grace and not forcing creativity when it's just not there or I'm too exhausted (thanks, pregnancy hormones). Ride it out, and then go full-force when creativity strikes! I love photographing the outdoors, so going on weekend day-trips around Washington has been key for me during this time - just being outside and away from screens really helps restore and inspire. And it's social-distance friendly! I miss being able to collaborate with others for things like photoshoots, but usually making a coffee and blasting some music hypes me up enough to get creative.

5. What women in your life inspire you and why?

My mom and sisters. All have carved out their own path in the world, and are creative forces in their own ways. My mom first taught me the importance of creating beauty in the world; my early memories are of her garden, her singing, her baked goods and jams - and then she showed us how much a woman can achieve by pursuing education and starting her own business at 40, when my siblings and I were older. There's power in knowing that you're never stuck on one path - you can chase 100 dreams in one lifetime.

6. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a new life direction -- whether that be moving to a new city, pursuing a new career path, starting a side hustle or choosing a new major in school?

Follow. Your. Gut. Honestly, the most important lesson I've learned so far in life. I'm an anxious person and I second-guess decisions constantly, but I've learned that 9 times out of 10, you already know what you want.

7. How do you balance a job, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?

It's a funny question to answer in a pandemic, when our personal/social lives have been pretty much taken from us! It makes it easier to find balance, but also makes life so much duller. Overall I'd say rest when you need it, whether that's actual sleep or just bingeing The Office. Try your hardest not to compare your life to others - whether it's more or less full, whether you're producing more or less - go with your own timeline.

8. What are some ways you implement self-care?

Fun music and baking are big soothers for me. Taking my dog on a walk after work each day resets my brain and creates a line between "work" and "home", even when they're the same place these days. Lately I'm trying to leave my phone in another room for a few hours to reduce doom-scrolling, and it helps my anxiety a ton. Oh, and watching Netflix in a bubble bath.

9. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders, movers and shakers?

Think about your dream life, and make it. If you don't want to own your own business and be a CEO, or have a side hustle, that's okay! I personally love working within an organization and getting to learn from women who have walked the walk before. There are a million paths you can take to impact the world positively, so don't feel pressure to take any certain one. Also - pay it forward. "Be the woman you needed when you were a little girl." And keep an open mind, remembering that there is always more to learn.

10. How can women advocate for each other?

I bring up comparison again because it's a hard one for me - you can't cheer on another woman if you're busy comparing your own insecurities to her success, her insights, her beauty. Work through that in yourself, so that you feel nothing but excitement when another woman succeeds, and can fully celebrate with her! Once you realize that opportunities don't disappear but actually multiply as all people are empowered, you'll want to advocate for everyone around you.

11. What is your power color and why?

Green - I love how it can be shocking or serene, tropical or evergreen, soft or loud.

12. What is your female anthem – the song that hypes you up and makes you feel like a girl boss and that you can take on anything in the world?

Anything Beyonce. I usually play one of her concerts during photoshoots and she never lets me down.

Portrait illustrations are by Hailey Coral.

WOMEN ARE MAGIC | Charity Kubena