Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Mallett.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Throughout my career, I’ve always had this restlessness, like an unsettling feeling that I wasn’t in the right place. I assumed it was because I hadn’t found the right company or the right boss. Usually, around the 3-6 month mark, it would come creeping back again. I realized it didn’t have to do with where I was working or who I was working for, but everything to do with not knowing my purpose. I quit my job in October of 2016 with one goal in mind: figure out what my calling and purpose was.
I don’t think people talk enough about the messy, in-between time that happens when you’re wrestling with your calling in life. It’s really easy to talk about the successes and skip over the hard stuff. But we need to hear the reality of the in-between, for both encouragement and lessons learned. When I left my job, I had no backup plan – something I’d never done before. This visceral feeling I had compelled me to start actively figuring out what I was supposed to be doing with my life.
I spent the first several months trying some different things out and put off the stirring in my heart. I was planning my wedding all the while, which filled up my days but in the back of my mind, I knew this feeling would still be there when it was all over. And it was.
There was all this momentum and build up before I left my job, and I guess I just thought things would happen faster – than I’d figure out what was next for me in my career quickly. I had no idea where to start or what was next. I felt helpless but was relieved when I stumbled across an ad promoting a local business that coached women around career (shoutout to Mavenly + Co.). I dove all in and the process of working with a coach helped me understand my career history, how all my seemingly random roles tied together. That awareness gave me confidence. But it still didn’t exactly answer what I would do next.
I had to face the unknown. I felt like I had no choice but to seek out where I belonged and do the hard work in getting myself there. I had to apply for jobs, go on countless interviews, work through the doubts and questioning my abilities, and wait. Lots of waiting. There were times I felt completely unproductive. There were times I wasn’t sure I’d ever find it. Times where I was so mad and frustrated and times where I couldn’t get off the couch. And unfortunately, all those things are part of the process that people just don’t mention.
The lessons I learned during this long and painful season are these:
1. Our stories aren’t for us, they’re meant to be shared.
2. Inviting people into your struggle is a necessary part of moving forward.
3. Lean into the pain, discomfort, and fear of judgment of others – there are valuable lessons in that space.
After the interviews started tapering off, I had this idea. With spring right around the corner, I wanted to learn the basics of planting, so I went online to find a workshop or class. I was surprised at the limited options, so my next thought was to create my own! I invited 20 friends, found an expert to teach us, and that’s how Make + Do was born.
What started as a workshop for friends, turned into workshops (on all sorts of topics) for the community! I started to wonder what other kinds of topics people would want to learn about in a workshop setting. Since then, I’ve launched my business, planned over 15 workshops (with new ones announced every week!), and created a way for people to connect with others in their community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Things have been anything but easy going on this journey! When I look back on my life so far, nothing great I ever experienced came easy, though.
Some of the things I struggled with:
-What my calling was and what purpose I served… I had no idea how to start the process of figuring out what I wanted to do.
-Understanding how my strengths could be applied in the working world.
-Fear that I wasn’t good enough.
-Criticism & a lack of understanding from people close to me on how I went about figuring out where I was supposed to be.
Please tell us about Make + Do.
Make + Do hosts community workshops that gather people together to learn from local makers & doers. We have workshops on all sorts of topics! We create a space where people can connect while learning alongside each other. There’s a deep sense of satisfaction and authenticity that comes from making something with your own hands.
I think I’m most proud of the impact Make + Do has had on the community so far. I’ve seen so many people connect through what we’re doing. It’s been powerful to see relationships form as a result of it. I know of some organizations that host classes and workshops, but Make + Do is set apart because of the variety of workshops we offer and the level in which we value connection.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have a lot of favorite memories from childhood, but I remember we lived in a neighborhood with lots of kids my brother and I’s age. It was such a blast. There was always someone to play with, ride bikes with, go to the swimming pool with. Our parents were friends too and it felt like the funniest community and I hope one day I can give that to my future kids!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://makeanddocommunity.com/
- Email: katie@makeanddocommunity.com
- Instagram: @makeanddocommunity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeanddocommunity/
Image Credit:
Lemon Holliday, Eastcreek Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
