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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.
“These are brilliant people. But they’ve been so hyper focused on their career path that they don’t have the greatest life skills. They don’t know how to manage their finances, they don’t know how to buy a house, they don’t know what to budget for.”
“What we’re really trying to create here is generational change. And when the kids are in our facility, seeing their moms doing this work, it shows them a completely different path. That, and to no fault of their moms. It just, it never seemed possible. So we’re possibility creators.”
“You can only lead as far as you’ve healed, because until you start to recognize that, you will perpetuate the same mistakes that got you there before, either yourself or the leader that you were under. And that’s why the healing part is so important, because it comes up again and you’re like, okay, wait, this is what this is.”
During COVID we realized that people wanted to have certain services and things basically in their home, but you couldn’t find an avenue where you could find a one stop shop that had everything offered and these people would actually show up.
“All of a sudden, it’s cold. I’m cold and I’m wet and. But my windows weren’t open. I’m like, oh, my gosh, this is not a drill.”
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