We were lucky to catch up with Caitlin McCreary recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caitlin, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

My hope is to build a legacy not defined by grand gestures but by the profound impact of small, meaningful moments. I want to be remembered for the kindness extended to strangers, for being the reason behind a friend’s laughter, and for the memories woven into the fabric of my family’s life. These seemingly small moments, though they may have felt insignificant to me, held immense significance for others. Moreover, I aspire for my legacy to embody a spirit of giving and good intentions. Every action, every creation I put forth into the world, I hope it carries with it a sense of positivity and benevolence, contributing something meaningful to others’ lives.
Additionally, I desire to be remembered for the inner peace I cultivated, using it as a guiding light to inspire others. Navigating life’s challenges with grace and offering a sense of tranquility to those around me is a legacy I aspire to leave behind—a legacy that encourages others to find their own inner peace and navigate their journeys with a similar sense of calm and resilience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Caitlin, but I go by Caitlin Onie on all platforms. Onie is my middle name and is the first name of my great-great-grandmother, Onie Mae Robinson. I began my career in Corporate America working in the Financial Services and Technology industries, specifically project management. I was interested in switching careers, so in August 2020, I enrolled in an MBA program at Georgia State University. I received my MBA with a concentration in International Business in May 2022. About six months after graduation, I was able to finally pivot into consulting and landed a new position as a Managing consultant.

On paper, this seems fantastic and makes sense, yet the achievements and recognition by themselves felt hollow. I started to feel as though my life and work were consuming me. My soul was aching for something to create. I thought photography right away. I’ve always had a keen eye for photography, whether it be of my friends, events, the outdoors, etc. Charsie, one of my best friends, runs Laurel Lane, a jewelry company. We used to come up with ideas for Laurel Lane’s product picture shoots in the early going. I used to mockingly refer to myself as a creative director, but I knew in my heart that this was partially true.

I believe God told me to get a camera when I got fired from my last job at the consulting firm. I decided to buy both at the same time since it was the ideal moment and I was also in the market for a new laptop. I subsequently established Caitlin Onie LLC, my LLC.
I provide resume writing services under Caitlin Onie LLC, photography services under Captured by Cait, resume writing services under Resumes by Cait, and I’ve started dabbling in design services.
Right now, I’m mostly interested in learning more about photography, particularly portrait and product photography.

My resume writing services originated after graduating from undergrad and having trouble securing an offer. I began to research how to bypass the applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by companies. I then restructured my resume and ever since then I’ve been able to acquire multiple interviews and accept offers from fortune 500 companies. Fueled by a desire to help family and friends facing job application rejections, I embarked on a journey that transformed into Resumes by Cait. Hearing their frustrations about the lack of interview calls, I began offering to revamp their resumes for free, hoping to make a difference. As I crafted tailored resumes that highlighted their strengths, skills, and experiences, a ripple effect occurred. Soon, these revamped resumes started catching the attention of employers, and my friends and family, impressed by the results, eagerly recommended me to their own networks. This word-of-mouth chain reaction became the catalyst for the birth of Resumes by Cait, a venture that stemmed from a simple act of support and grew into a thriving service dedicated to empowering individuals in their job pursuits.

I take immense pride in my resilience—choosing not to succumb to the suffocating feeling of stagnation but instead embracing change and diving into new experiences fearlessly. Along my journey, I’ve learned the importance of evolving goals as I grow, not tethered to what once was but open to what can be. What I want both current and future clients to know is that every project I undertake holds intention. My work isn’t just about completion; it’s about delivering exceptional results. I’m dedicated to ensuring that every project I take on is approached with meticulous care and attention. My goal is to empower my clients, enabling them to offer the best possible products, secure coveted positions, and eloquently convey their message and visions to the world. It’s not just about the project; it’s about the transformative impact it has for my clients and their audiences.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that perfection is always attainable and necessary for success. Early in my career, I was fixated on achieving flawless outcomes in every project. However, this mindset led to a fear of failure and a reluctance to take risks. The turning point came when I recently decided to take on a new journey into photography. While working on my first few projects, I quickly realized that I can be so focused on making everything perfect that I end up missing crucial opportunities for innovation and growth. Even worse than that, believing in perfection can hinder us from sharing our art, ideas, goals, etc. with the world. Perfection can hinder our growth, yes, but it can also starve others of the opportunity to be inspired by what we’re destined to share. It became clear that the idea of perfection is a direct threat to progress versus fostering it.
I realized that embracing imperfection allows for experimentation, learning and growth. I shifted my perspective, emphasizing iterative improvements and accepting that failures are valuable lessons. This change enabled me to lead more effectively, encouraging creativity and adaptability within my team while achieving better outcomes. Often what we see and label as imperfect is simply beautiful to others.

An honorable mention of another lesson that I had to unlearn is that it is absolutely okay to change career paths, retire old goals and replace them with new ones, try new hobbies and even make new friends as we continue to go through life. I realized that I am not the same person I was seven years ago or even one year ago and if the version of me that I am now wants something different than my past version that is okay. It is also normal.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my final year at Georgia State University’s graduate program, I was managing a full-time job alongside my studies. One afternoon, on my way to help my best friend move into her new apartment, I was rear-ended in a car accident. The collision left me with a torn shoulder that resulted in a SLAP repair. The timing couldn’t have been worse. With classes, assignments, and work responsibilities, the accident seemed like an insurmountable hurdle. However, rather than succumbing to despair, I drew on my determination and resilience. I opted to undergo surgery exactly 6 weeks before my Graduation date. This decision was not made lightly, but it was extremely important to me that I would not be in a sling on my graduation day at that time.
Recovery was arduous, requiring months of physical therapy and rehabilitation. Yet, despite the immense challenge, I refused to let go of my academic and professional goals. I adapted my study routine, attending classes remotely when possible and working closely with professors to keep up with coursework.
My workplace accommodated my situation, allowing flexible hours to facilitate both recovery and work commitments. It was a trying period, but the support from friends, family, professors, and colleagues anchored my spirits and strengthened my resolve.
Against all odds, I not only completed my graduate program but also excelled in my studies, earning commendations for my resilience and dedication. Although I wasn’t fully healed at the time, I was able to enjoy my graduation day sling free and on the road to recovery.
This experience taught me invaluable lessons in perseverance, time management, and the importance of a strong support network. It highlighted the power of resilience in navigating life’s toughest challenges and reinforced my belief in the significance of determination and adaptability in achieving success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.caitlinonie.com
• Instagram: capturedby.caitt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinmccreary/
• Other: TikTok: Caitlin.onie

Image Credits
Caitlin Onie