I first met Bridgette Dutkowski on a sunny April day at Studio 125. It was 2018 and I was meeting with Kate, drinking coffee on a sofa by the window. As Kate asked Bridgette to come over for introductions, I looked up and was greeted by a bright, energetic force of a woman, donning overalls and a cheery expression. She was welcoming and kind and I liked her from the start. That was the Bridgette I first met, and that’s the Bridgette I know today.

If Kate is the front-facing force of Wit & Delight, Bridgette is the behind-the-scenes warrior. She’s our Brand Director, which means she makes decision after decision about the direction Wit & Delight should take. She pitches and works with sponsors and partners; she makes endless updates to the website, and is the one who pushes up her sleeves and fixes it when it breaks (Only once! But we all held our breaths for that seemingly endless half an hour); she guides our team in the right direction when we’re feeling stuck on an idea. She is not afraid to delve into a problem and solve it, nor to get her hands dirty with a project that needs finishing, no matter how minute. She encourages us all and pushes us to do better, not only for the business but also for ourselves. She’s a true team player and a person we all look to for guidance when we need it. (And folks! Sometimes? We need it.)

Can you tell I’m a fan of Bridgette? Yeah, I’m a fan of Bridgette. But this isn’t about me. This is about Bridgette Dutkowski. The very smart, very humble, very kind, very resourceful woman who keeps Wit & Delight running smoothly day in and day out. I think you’ll like her as much as we all do. But don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself below.

Name: Bridgette Dutkowski
Title: Brand Director
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Meyers Briggs + Enneagram: MB: ISFP (Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving); Enneagram: 3 – The Achiever
What do the objects in your photo mean to you? My “feminist agenda” coffee cup with coffee (I’m worthless without at least three cups) and my three kids’ stuffed animals (from left: Red, Slo-Mo, and PJ—the animals’ names, not my kids’ names).

1. Tell us a bit about your background. What were you doing before you came to Wit & Delight?

I started off going to school for English, with an emphasis on writing, and decided that a BFA in photography would be much more lucrative. After college, I had some freelance photography jobs, shooting headshots and friend’s weddings, while honing these skills as a family portrait photographer at ProEx. After ProEx, I worked as a stylist assistant for a few months before I realized I had absolutely no business in this particular profession. I survived four years of Black Fridays and holiday season as a visual merchandiser for Macy’s, dressing mannequins and learning the fine art of crafting the perfect merchandising display, and watching it get torn apart moments later.

Seeing there was little room for advancement, I left to pursue a career in the design/ad world. After months of informational interviews and a short stint as a 30-year-old intern, I got a job as a project manager. Realizing that my untapped skills were organization and sharing my unsolicited opinions, I thrived in this role. I eventually transitioned to account management (which allowed me to offer even more unsolicited opinions) and stayed in this role until I had my oldest daughter.

2. How did you get started working for W&D?

Dumb luck. It was 2014, and I had never heard of Kate or W&D. My husband followed her on both Twitter & Instagram and saw she had posted an ad for a part-time project manager, working 10 hours a week. I was 10 months postpartum with my oldest and, given that I no longer wanted to work the 60-hour workweek that goes along with the agency world, I reached out. I worked 15 hours the first week and have been basically full-time since.

3. What’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned over the course of your career?

You get out what you put in. I’ve worked a ton of jobs, and even if they aren’t the most satisfying, there is always something valuable to be gained. Every single job I’ve had thus far has provided me with the skills I use to this day.

You get out what you put in. I’ve worked a ton of jobs, and even if they aren’t the most satisfying, there is always something valuable to be gained. Every single job I’ve had thus far has provided me with the skills I use to this day.

4. You’re Wit & Delight’s Brand Director. What does your role with Wit & Delight entail?

I don’t really know. When I tell friends and family about my job, they nod and smile.

I’ve been working with Kate for almost five years and my role has expanded from answering emails to creating SoWs (Statements of Work) to developing marketing strategies for Shop Wit & Delight.

In a nutshell, despite my education in art, I don’t execute or create any visual content. I keep the train on the tracks.

5. We talk a lot at W&D about improving our habits and prioritizing the goals that matter most to us. What is one of your tried and true methods for managing your time and getting sh*t done?

Internal pressure and expectations I have set for myself. I also am a ridiculous notetaker and list checker-offer.

Some of my previous jobs were in a culture of yelling and shaming when work was done wrong or late. For better or for worse, I’ve got that mentality to produce great work or you get in trouble. Not really healthy…but it works.

I’ve been trying the Pomodoro Technique (which I’ve been prompted to write about for the site*) to keep me on track.

*Ed. note: This is accurate. Do you want to read about Bridgette’s experience with the Pomodoro Technique? If it is a yes, please back me up with that answer in the comments. Thank you in advance, friends.

6. What does a typical workday look like for you (if typical even exists…)?

Make coffee, drink coffee, clean up my email inbox, respond to clients and business inquiries, drink more coffee, meet with Kate to talk about strategy and upcoming projects, and then back to email and content development. None of the sexy stuff, but lots of the behind-the-scenes things that keep the business running.

7. What advice would you give someone looking to pursue a career like yours?

You have to find your own motivation. What I really love about working here is that my role has changed so much from when I began. I’ve always been a curious person and this role has allowed me to learn new programs and skills, and try things out without fear of repercussions.

What’s most challenging is that with the amazing flexibility I have with my schedule, I have to find my own motivation to get up, get moving, and stay motivated.

8. When you have free time on your hands, how do you spend it?

With my family—my husband, Joe, and three kids (Willa, 5; Elliot, 3; Leni, 1). Joe and I are starting to get out of the “baby fog” and feel like we can actually do things again. Any and all hobbies have gone out the window for us with three kids, so it’s nice to feel things balancing out a bit now.

When Joe and I get a rare night out, we’re usually trying a new restaurant and going to the movies.

9. Do you have a favorite self-care ritual you’d recommend?

It’s not product-based, but rather, going out with friends or my husband. With three little kids, it’s hard to turn off “mom,” even after everyone is asleep. It feels good to go out and be “Bridgette” again, even for a few hours.

If we are talking indulgences, it’s a (strong) gin and tonic.

10. What is something you are looking forward to?

Letting go of the anxiety around this next birthday of mine.
Getting my next tattoo.
Traveling more.
Figuring out who I am after kids, and doing more for myself.

Today’s post is part of an ongoing series where we’re introducing folks to the team behind Wit & Delight. Want to learn more about our Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Art Director, Raquel Benedict? Read all about her story here.