Meet Carolyn McEntee

We recently connected with Carolyn McEntee and have shared our conversation below.

Carolyn, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something I still grapple with from time to time-especially when I hit a new milestone in my career. I’ve come to realize that this feeling often surfaces during periods of growth and success.

One of the biggest mental hurdles for me was comparing my achievements to those of my parents, who found success in a very different era–the 1990s. But we’re living in a post-COVID world now, shaped by entirely different challenges and opportunities. It’s truly a case of comparing apples to oranges.

We’ve all heard it before, but it rings true: comparison is the thief of joy. What’s helped me manage imposter syndrome is reminding myself that there’s only one me. My path, my approach, and my perspective are unique. I may not do things exactly like others, and that’s not only okay, it’s valuable. I try to think outside the box, challenge the norm, and bring both my strengths – and yes, some weaknesses-into my work. I’ve learned to recognize where I need support, and to ask for it.

When you’re constantly pushing yourself to grow, it’s easy to fixate on what’s next. But I’ve found it just as important to pause, reflect, and acknowledge how far I’ve come.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

What excites me most about my career right now is the balance I’ve found between treating my loyal patients-many of whom I’ve seen for nearly a decade-and expanding into my education. I now teach both introductory and advanced courses on Botox and fillers, and I offer shadowing opportunities that give other injectors a behind-the scenes look at the fast-paced, dynamic nature of our daily practice at Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe a combination of qualities and skills played a critical role in my early career development. From a young age, I had a relentless work ethic-when I set my mind to something, I found a way to make it happen. Resilience has also been a key part of my journey. I’ve experienced failure many times, and I’ve learned that some of the most valuable lessons come from those moments. In fact, most successful people will tell you that failure can be just as instructive-if not more so-then success.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is this: trust that you have something unique to offer, even if you are entering a field that feels saturated.

Lastly, expect setbacks. You will fail, you will be rejected-but what matters most is how you respond. Keep going. That’s where growth happens.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always open to collaborating with like-minded professionals-particularly those in wellness, aesthetics, and the broader beauty industry. That said, I’ve connected with incredible individuals across a wide range of fields, and those relationships have often led to meaningful brainstorming sessions and cross-referral opportunities. I truly believe there’s more than enough business to go around, and when we support each other, we all help elevate one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drkeithladner.com/
• Instagram: @injectiondiaries
• Facebook: Carolyn Mac
• Linkedin: Carolyn McEntee