We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Mallett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
This question challenges me in the best way because it’s something I often struggle with. Am I + my company doing well?Are we successful? Are we making an impact? I think it’s really important to lay out a pre-defined list of what success looks like – knowing that the list will grow or change as you go along…and that’s okay. When I first started, I had a few factors that I decided meant my company was successful. As I grew, I realized that there were more specific metrics that I could measure. Defining success is just as much of a process as growing your business!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My company, Make + Do, hosts creative workshops that are taught by local makers + doers. We help create a sense of belonging through shared experiences. We also provide a unique platform for small business owners/makers/artists to not only teach their craft, but grow their business through exposure via the workshops. The road to Make + Do was a process, and it wasn’t until the very end of a 2 year long journey that all the pieces finally came together to form the business. I’ve learned lots of lessons along the way, but the most important ones would probably be 1) our stories aren’t meant for just us–they should be used to help others who are experiencing similar challenges; 2) tapping into my network + resources helped me get to where I am today–I’ve learned that people are more willing to help than I thought, and it’s a good way to prevent burnout and frustration by asking others to help you in areas you aren’t as well-versed in.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many fun places to visit! Here are some of my top favorites: The Battery just outside Atlanta is a great because you can go, park, and hit lots of fun restaurants + shops all at once. I love Virginia Highlands neighborhood – I used to live there and it’s walkable with lots of great restaurants + shops. One of my favorite restaurants in Smyrna where we live is Porch Light Latin Kitchen – the food is amazing, and the owner Andre has created such a welcoming environment. He remembers you by name + makes you feel like family!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my husband Ben who’s my biggest champion, cheerleader + encourager. He’s been cheering me on from the very start, encouraging me to pursue this dream. My company wouldn’t exist without him. He’s done everything from reconciling my books every month, to taking out the trash after so many workshops when it was too heavy for me to lift, to being a much needed sounding board when I felt like things weren’t working out. I’m so grateful to have him in my corner.

Website: https://makeanddocommunity.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeanddocommunity/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeanddocommunity/

Image Credits
All photos taken by Katie Tiller Photography