Kate Benjamin, originally from upstate New York, started www.moderncat.net three years ago.
But this wasn't a "crazy cat-lady" blog. Benjamin turned the site into a single resource for modern cat products that are functional for Kitty's needs and aesthetically pleasing (say goodbye to the hideous beige carpet-covered cat tree).
Last year, Benjamin decided to quit her day job and run the site full-time. She also started Moderncat Studio, a line of original, handmade, eco-friendly cat products she sells through her Etsy shop and other select boutiques in the Valley.
Today, the blog has 12,000 subscribers from all over the world and the
site gets over 150,000 page views per month.
We recently snagged Benjamin for a little Q&A about her work, her
cats, the products they love, and the smell of cat breath.
How many cats do you have?
Seven.
What are their names?
Simba, Mackenzie, Ando, Flora, Dee,
McKinley,
and Theo.
Do they have a favorite product that you sell?
The natural Jute Bomb
cat toys are a big hit. I find them all over the house, always in a
different
spot.
What's your favorite cat behavior?
I love to watch cats
playing together, they are
hysterical! I have a few new products in development that serve as play
stations where the cats can play together, chasing toys and attacking
each other. It's better than watching TV.
What is a must-have item for any cat owner?
A good scratching
post.
Cats naturally want to scratch and if you give them something to scratch
on, they will leave your furniture alone.
What's the strangest reaction you've received from your work?
I
have had some very negative comments on the blog from people who are
obviously cat haters. I can never understand why someone would bother
taking the time to leave a nasty comment like that.
Has anyone accused you of being a "crazy cat lady?"
Many
times, usually in good fun. I'm actually
working to change that stereotype, to show that cat owners can have a
sense of style and live in a beautiful home, happily with their cats.
And how do you really feel about dogs?
I love all
animals and anyone who
loves their pet is good in my book, however, I really am a cat person.
I've always been afraid of dogs and don't particularly understand them. I
was probably a cat in a past life or two.
Cat breath - oddly comforting or totally disgusting?
Depends.
Milk
breath, oddly comforting. Fish breath, not so much.
