Meet Kristal Mallookis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristal Mallookis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristal below.

Hi Kristal , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

From a young age, I knew I was destined to move to NYC. The accents, the fast-paced lifestyle, and the incredible mix of cultures fascinated me. When I started to get serious about dance and my future, the plan was simple: I’d move to NYC from Colorado and become a dancer. Easy, right?! Well, it didn’t take long after arriving to realize that while I loved dance, my skills were pretty average. I couldn’t act, and I definitely couldn’t sing. But that didn’t stop me from going to auditions and having a blast. I’d come home thinking about all the fun I had and the new friends I made.
At the time, I was living with professional dancers who were insanely talented, and their audition stories were a little different. They’d come home brimming with confidence, sure they’d nailed it and ready to book the job (whether they got it or not). That’s when I started to notice our mindsets were worlds apart.
It’s 2004, and I’m loving my new life in NYC. The hustle was on. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I’d been at it since 7th grade—selling candy out of my locker and Beanie Babies at flea markets in the late ’90s. Now, I was finding random jobs through Craigslist (YES, Craigslist!) as well as my network of friends. I discovered how much I loved chasing new ways to make money. After working so many different gigs, it hit me: what if there was one place where all these jobs could come from for artists? What if, instead of waiting months to get paid, they could be paid every two weeks? I knew my friends would be into this—and they had friends, and their friends had friends. I’d call it Mustard Lane—a cheeky nod to the Beatles. My very first client called me Penny Lane, and I called him Mean Mr. Mustard.
Before I knew it, Mustard Lane had grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. The community that’s come together is incredible. We have a database of over 5k staff in every major market in the U.S. and even Canada. We hire like-minded people, creating a space where everyone feels supported and set up for success at every event. We’ve seen strangers become friends, people collaborate on art, find roommates, and even get married! In 2017 we moved our Mustard Lane head quarters into a small event space in NYC that we aslo rent out for parties, meetings, films shoots etc. www.meauxspace.com
In 2019, our internal team at Mustard Lane expanded our vision and created a non-profit for artists called Off The Lane. Founded by artists for artists, our mission is to enrich and engage the creative community through accessible artistic resources, opportunities, and events; continued education; and the production of new, experimental work. We’re all about inclusion, accessibility, creativity, and challenging the status quo. Off The Lane is passionate about cultivating a community built on trust, respect, and authentic connection.
I didn’t find my purpose—my purpose found me, and it fills my heart every day.

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?

I’m such a typical entreprenuer that I covered a lot of this in my purpose.

I am CEO of Mustard Lane is an event staffing company. With about 5K staff across the country & Canada, we’re able to meet your staffing needs in any location. Mustard Lane created a custom database helping us lead the way for high tech booking and efficient communication with our roster of staff who we fondly call “Laners”. The ML Laners range from Brand Ambassadors, Promo Models, Caterers/Bartenders to Models and Actors. We are known for our high caliber roster and exceptional services. In big cities and small towns, Mustard Lane’s staff has helped create memorable experiences for millions of people.

President of Off The Lane a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching and engaging the creative community through education, outreach, and special projects. Our mission is centered around providing artists of all backgrounds with the tools and resources needed for career improvement and goal achievement. We offer mentorship programs, workshops, and collaborative opportunities aimed at facilitating the transition from student to professional for artists, while also supporting schools and other non-profits with creative guidance and community-building initiatives.

I also run a small event space call Meaux Space located in the heart of Chelsea Manhattan. It is the perfect venue for your next intimate gathering. Whether it be a dinner party, bridal shower, private wine tasting or photoshoot our 1,800 square foot space is just what you’ve been looking for.

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

The entrepreneurial lifestyle isn’t for everyone. There are a lot of ups and downs—sometimes all in the same day. Develop thick skin, celebrate your wins, and learn from your setbacks.

The power of positive thinking can take you further than you might expect.

Being a people person has helped me see the best in others, which has strengthened my networking, leadership, and communication skills

Jump headfirst into whatever you’re creating—learn every aspect, and live, eat, and breathe it. It deserves 150% of your attention!

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take a moment to just breathe. It sounds simple, but those deep breaths really make a difference! I step back, slow down, and prioritize my mental health. Whether it’s through meditation, reading, or simply embracing a moment of quiet, these small breaks help me reset and refocus.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Benjamin Rivera- Kristal Headshot, ML Team photo
Lisa Bettencourt- princess bride, OTL team photo, Open Stay
Chris Kapcia- Open Mic
Carl Bindman- Hootenany Photo

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