Influential Woman · Marketing Content Creation

Caitlin Smith

Founder, BrightPath Media

Delray Beach, FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Elementary Education degree Degree Graduate school (in progress or completed) Member Amazon Influencer Program

Her Story

About Caitlin

I transitioned from being a full-time elementary education teacher to running my own content creation business. While in grad school, I was filming myself for classroom projects, and those videos ended up going viral on TikTok - I gained 100,000 followers within 3 weeks. I realized people were making money online from social media and started learning everything I could about it. I worked with Amazon as part of their Influencer Program and was recruited as a model, which led me to discover UGC (user-generated content) creation. I didn't want to be an influencer posting on my personal page - I loved to create content that helps brands connect emotionally with their audiences. Now I run BrightPath Media, where I create content for retained clients, producing up to 30 pieces per month. I work with major brands like DraftKings and Panera Bread. My process involves creating video ideas, script writing, getting client approval, and then producing videos they can test and run. We use the results to figure out what's working and what needs to change. I have a natural ability on camera - I've been theatrical my whole life and was always making videos as a kid. I've been doing content creation since 2022, but started my business full-time in April of last year. My team includes an editor and a personal assistant, and we're currently expanding. My goal is to build something sustainable that allows me to be present for my future kids while living comfortably.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Caitlin

01What do you attribute your success to?

I have a very natural ability on camera - I've been theatrical my whole life. I was honestly really nerdy when I was little. I would always make silly videos on iMovie and Picnik and those little editing apps, just because it was a passion. No one ever thought that would be something you could make a career out of. So taking all that nerdiness that made me the weird kid in school, and the natural camera ability, and also being very big in art - I used to sell art - all the things I loved to do as a kid but never thought I could make a career out of ended up making my life so much easier in this domain. Little things like when I'm filming a video, I film knowing how I'm gonna edit it. I position myself in certain places because it's gonna be comical, or I grab the camera in the beginning because it's gonna be a hook. I also got diagnosed with MS when I was younger, and I had Lyme disease. Without that chronic illness diagnosis, it wouldn't have given me the no-fear aspect of trying something. My mom said you can try anything for a year, but you have to be consistent for a full year. Getting diagnosed with MS - I was like, no, I don't have an option to fail. When people say they're sorry about the MS, I'm like no, without that, I would not have this. I truly wouldn't.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

The cringier, the better. You can't be a cool girl. I think women dominate the social media space more than men, so I'm saying this to girls - if you're not relatable, no one's gonna watch you. No one's gonna watch the girl that just looks pretty and hot, unless it's guys just looking to get off, which sounds TMI, but you're not going to make serious money unless you can have people connect with you.

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