Share this:
In this episode of the She Lift Project Podcast, host Cynthia Kirkpatrick sits down with Nicki Ball, the Chief Operating Officer at Mary Engelbreit, to explore the fascinating journey of her multifaceted career. From her beginnings in hospitality and wine expertise to healthcare and art licensing, Nicki shares her experiences of navigating through various industries and the lessons learned along the way.
Nicki highlights the importance of self-advocacy, work-life balance, and the courage to pivot when necessary. She discusses the challenges of working in male-dominated environments and the significance of mentorship and supportive leadership. With anecdotes about her time in restaurants, healthcare, and the corporate world, Nicki emphasizes the value of adaptability, continuous learning, and finding joy in one’s career.
Join us as Nicki Ball provides insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of being genuine, and the critical role of collaboration and open communication in achieving professional success. Whether you’re at the start of your career or considering a change, this episode offers valuable takeaways on embracing the power of pivots and pursuing your passion.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
00:00 – 01:06
– Introduction of the She Lift Project Podcast by Cynthia Kirkpatrick.
– Brief overview of the guest, Nicki Ball, and her current role as COO at Mary Engelbreit.
Chapter 2: Early Career in Hospitality
01:07 – 10:16
– Nicki’s journey from working in hospitality to becoming a food and beverage manager.
– Stories from her time at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and Omni in Chicago.
– Experiences managing large-scale events and interacting with notable guests.
Chapter 3: Transition to Wine Expertise
10:17 – 21:39
– Nicki’s entry into the wine industry and becoming a sommelier.
– Discussion about the challenges and experiences of being a female sommelier in a male-dominated industry.
– Anecdotes about notable figures and moments in the wine business.
Chapter 4: Career Shifts and New Opportunities
21:40 – 34:57
– Nicki’s transition from hospitality to working at Fabick as an executive assistant.
– The importance of building relationships and being open to new opportunities.
– The move to healthcare brokerage and her experiences in this field.
Chapter 5: The Power of Pivots
34:58 – 47:59
– Discussion on the importance of career pivots and being adaptable.
– Nicki’s journey to her current role at Mary Engelbreit.
– The significance of finding joy and fulfillment in one’s career.
Chapter 6: Advocacy and Leadership
48:00 – 59:38
– The importance of self-advocacy and speaking up in various scenarios.
– Nicki’s experiences with leadership and mentorship, and the impact of supportive leaders.
– Strategies for building a collaborative and open work environment.
Chapter 7: Balancing Career and Motherhood
59:39 – 1:10:00
– Challenges and strategies for balancing a demanding career with motherhood.
– Stories and insights on managing work-life balance.
– The role of family support and creating a nurturing environment at home and work.
Chapter 8: Lessons Learned and Advice
1:10:01 – 1:27:02
– Key takeaways from Nicki’s career journey.
– Advice for listeners on embracing change, continuous learning, and building confidence.
– Final thoughts and closing remarks from Cynthia Kirkpatrick.
Content Notice
This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.
Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.
“Joy and gratitude will transmute anything. So if somebody’s going through a healing journey, focus on your joy, what lights you up, that’s the thing that’s going to heal you. So lean into that.”
“There’s people out there that think they’re good at everything and they’re not. So I think for us, it’s really that business entrepreneur that’s wearing a lot of hats, that wants to wear some hats but doesn’t want to wear them all.”
“I got thrown out of the OR the very first day after 10 minutes. The surgeon walked into the room and he opened up all the doors and he screamed as loud as he possibly could, ‘I will not have Dr. Feinberg’s wife in my room!!’ See, I wasn’t Dr. Feinberg. I was Dr. Feinberg’s wife.”
We have level 1 to 10. 10 is being at the top level. You have your faces, you have your attack, your energy, all the things to be at the highest level for themselves. That’s level 10…If they want to be at a level 10, they’ll work at a level 10. That means in classwork, not just on stage.
“Young Shannon became an overachiever because she was a people pleaser. She needed to please others. And so that really developed in my adulthood as well. “
Show Name
Amet minim mollit non deserunt ullamco est sit aliqua dolor do amet sint. Velit officia consequat duis enim velit mollit. Exercitation veniam consequat sunt nostrud amet.
We publish on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
