We recently connected with Mallory Palombit and have shared our conversation below.
Mallory, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Where do you get your resilience from?
Life can sometimes be tough and disappointing, but what really matters most is how we respond to it. We can either sit in despair taking a victim mentality, or we can brush our shoulders off and take action. I credit my path to starting my own business to the latter of the two. Years of feeling frustrated with my career gave me the strength to prioritize my dreams of starting my own business.
Let me take you back to 2018 where I found myself in a position that left me feeling disappointed and empty. Up until this point, I was working as a bedside nurse in a surgical ICU while finishing my Masters degree at the University of Michigan. I loved going to school, and I loved meeting new people and making friends. My actual schoolwork was challenging, and I was proud of the work I put into it. Like any person who acquires a new degree, it was time to find a new job to showcase my skill set. After interviewing for months, I accepted a new position in a surgical specialty. Several months went by and I realized that this position left me feeling unhappy and frustrated. I felt this internal battle, do I stay and carry on or do I find something better? Instead of feeling sorry for myself because this new position wasn’t everything I had hoped for, I dug deep and took action.
After several interviews and speaking with various places, I thought I found the perfect job. At this new job I felt seen, appreciated, and respected. My coworkers were uplifting and supportive. After a year into this job, despite my appreciation for it, I felt work was engulfing my whole life. It seemed there were no days off, and work constantly followed me around like a black cloud. I couldn’t turn my brain off from my work duties. It was at that point, I realized I needed to start prioritizing myself and the things I wanted out of life. I had this dream that followed me around, that I was going to start my own business. I almost chuckle when I think about it, because even just a few years into my nursing career, I told my coworker that I would be calling her one day when I opened up my own medspa. I had expressed my desire for medical aesthetics to most of my friends and told them my plans of one day starting a medspa business. I had this idea, and it never left me.
I began researching and figuring out exactly everything I would need to start this dream. The more I researched the more I realized that this would be a risk. What if I failed? What if I lost all of my money and had nothing to show? Despite realizing the reality of this new adventure, I was optimistic that good things would come my way. I knew if I put a fraction of the energy I had put into my previous work, I would be okay. Despite my worries, Facial Artistry & Aesthetics was born.
Fast forward to over two years later, has brought me so much happiness and continues to grow in ways I never expected. Looking back at those moments where I felt completely lost in my career, I now realize it was the very thing that gave me the strength to follow my dreams. It also gives me peace knowing that even if everything in my life feels like it has fallen apart, I know I am resilient enough to brush my shoulders off and start again.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Mallory Palombit, and I am a board certified Nurse Practitioner. I have been a nurse for over 12 years, and have worked in various settings from hospitals to outpatient clinics. Ever since childhood I had this innate calling to help people. As I grew older, I developed a love for art and beauty. It was in 2021 that both of my passions turned into a business, and I created Facial Artistry & Aesthetics. At Facial Artistry & Aesthetics, I specialize in neurotoxins (such a botox or dysport), dermal fillers, medical grade skincare, and platelet rich plasma. Last year we added laser services and we are now able to address 36 skin conditions such as acne, aging, pigmentation, hair removal and more.
My favorite part about working in the medical aesthetics industry is that I meet so many wonderful people from all walks of life. I also love that I have the power to bring joy to clients, and make them feel their best!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I look back over the past few years I believe that courage and determination paired with a great support system were the qualities that helped me become successful. I had very little business knowledge coming from a background in nursing, so it took a lot determination and courage to start something new. I had to learn all aspects of running a business in a short period, and I still learn new things everyday. I have found a tremendous amount of strength and support from other female entrepreneurs. There are so many amazing women out here cheering each other on, and I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people through this journey.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Owning a business can feel really overwhelming, and there is always something to do. My biggest advice is to prioritize what you need to have done on a daily basis, and make sure you put it at the top of your to-do list. I hate putting something off for another day when I know I can accomplish it right then and there. I also highly recommend delegating and hiring experts when you need to. I think my biggest mistake as a business owner was thinking I could do every single thing. Once I started hiring people for various areas of the business I found I was able to complete so much more.
My last advice is to carve out downtime to unwind and enjoy life. Sometimes this is as simple as taking a day off I would normally work, and doing something I enjoy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.facialartistryandaesthetics.com
- Instagram: @artistry_and_aesthetics
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/facialartistryandaesthetics
- Other: artistryandaesthetics.glossgenius.com
Image Credits
Jamie Vandewinkle at HerBrand Photo
