Trendsetters at Work: Brides Magazine

We caught up with the glossy's editor in chief

By Emily Popp Aug 11, 2014 9:49 PMTags
Trendsetters, BRIDES, Editor In Chief, Keija MinorJennifer Cooper. E!

Keija Minor, editor in chief of Brides magazine, is well-versed in pursing passions.

She knows about taking big risks in order to land your dream gig. After all, Minor worked in corporate law until she took an 85% percent pay cut to work as an editorial intern at a travel magazine. Now? She's at the top of the Brides masthead.

Keep reading to find out everything from the best piece of career advice she's ever received to her favorite type of power lunch. Plus, watch the video of Keija's savviest tips for brides!

What was your very first job?
As a cashier at a farmer's market. Which to anyone who knows me is pretty unbelievable.

How did you get started in your career?
I quit my job as a corporate lawyer to take an 85 percent pay cut and an editorial internship at a travel magazine.

Jennifer Cooper. E!

Who are some of your career heroes?
Anna Wintour, because she's fearless and decisive. Debra Lee because, as CEO of BET, she's ushered in an era of positive programming and community-empowering initiatives. Susan Feldman and Alison Pincus of One Kings Lane because they built an amazing $200 million company in five years. And Oprah because, well, she's Oprah.

What's a typical workday like for you?
Every day is an exercise in multitasking. We're always working on four issues at a time. This morning I met with two editors in the beauty department who have been testing long-lasting lipsticks. (Not all will hold up from the ceremony to the last dance!) I then popped into the fashion closet for a model casting and to choose dresses for our next photo shoot. Later, we will sift through trays of diamond engagement rings to find the perfect handful to take to the same shoot. During lunch I answered emails, edited a feature about destination weddings, and reviewed the new tools we're developing for Brides.com. Now I'm off to meet with one of my favorite fashion designers who is launching a tabletop collection. No two days are alike, and I love every minute of it.

Describe your office decor. What was your inspiration?
My office is bright, warm, happy shades of pink, orange, and cream. My entire Brooklyn apartment is light blue, gray, and silver, so when it came to my office I wanted to do something totally different. I had major help from one of my best friends, Danielle Colding, who is a rock-star interior designer (and winner of HGTV's Design Star in season 7). 

Jennifer Cooper. E!

List five things that are on your desk right now.
Lip balm, my iPhone, my essential orange clipboard, two layouts for the October/November 80th anniversary issue, and a stack of invites that I brought home from Paris Couture Fashion Week in July.

What do you typically wear to work?
My default is a dress because it's easy, but I'm trying to wear more separates, which for me means skirts and tops. I rarely wear pants more than once a week. Randomly, I refused to wear them for all of both second and eleventh grade, so I guess I've never been that into them.

What are your favorite stores to shop for work clothes?
I do most of my shopping online. Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi may be the death of me, or at least the demise of my bank account.

What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail? Now go ahead and make it happen.

Jennifer Cooper. E!

Finish the sentence…

Today for lunch I had…an overpriced sushi roll and garden salad.

The first Web site I log on to every day is… Brides.com, of course!

The beauty product you can always find in my purse is…Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder (an oldie but goodie), Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel, Trish McEvoy mascara, and a rotation of lip balms.

My must-have work gadget is…my iPhone.

My usual Starbucks order is…iced coffee, though I actually prefer the iced coffee in the Condé Nast cafeteria.

If I need a quick break during work, I usually…check Instagram and Twitter for news and inspiration.  

If I wasn't doing this job, I would be…still walking by the Condé Nast building, wishing I worked there. And trying to start a home-decor collection.

The best part of my job is…spending all day discussing cakes, flowers, frosting, and fashion, all while planning the biggest blowout party of our readers' lives. 

Watch Keija give her best tips and golden nuggets of advice for brides in the video below!

Watch: Keija Minor Shares Wedding Advice for "Brides"