CAMERON POWELL.
Mallory Ervin
Our annual list of trailblazing women are creating lasting legacies for themselves and for the city of Nashville. Now they’re sharing their stories, their triumphs, their setbacks, and their advice with us. Prepare to be inspired.
Early Aspirations
I grew up on a farm with my whole family, the oldest of 23 first cousins on one side. I was always an achiever and a go-getter just given that I was the oldest of all those kids. I always wanted to be a country music singer and got pretty far with that as a young person, but when I did Miss America in 2010, I realized I liked doing more than one thing. I liked speaking and television and creating and promoting products I loved. As my interests grew in many areas, simultaneously blogs and YouTube channels were becoming popular, so it was the perfect timing for me. As I began doing videos and posts I realized it was a new passion of mine.
Making Her Way
I started with a plain ole blog—they were still big five or six years ago and I figured I liked to write so I’d start there. I started with a lot of fashion and beauty content. Two months later I started my YouTube channel, and it took off like a wildfire. I immediately started getting offers for large brands to cover events and talk about products I was already using. I had an old camera I used, and I bought a sequin piece of fabric from JOANN Fabric and hung it as my backdrop. As things grew, I kept that up but started other things: a podcast which debuted as the number two podcast globally, I signed a dream book deal last year with Random House, I have a very large merchandise line, and have worked with some of the top brands in this space as a spokesperson, including Weight Watchers (now WW), XFINITY, and many more.
Challenges Faced
A challenge early on was feeling like I needed to have more figured out to begin. I think a lot of people get stuck here. I thought I needed to invest in a fancy website, get
a more expensive camera, move to a nicer place, have management etc., and you just don’t. All you need is a free YouTube channel and a free Instagram account, and you can build a seven-figure business in no time if you do it right. This space is so hot right now and so welcoming to fresh faces. You don’t need any bells and whistles to do what I do. You need a strong sense of who you are and what makes you different in this space and an iPhone. Now my challenges revolve more around balance. I am a mother of two young boys and balancing my business and work as it grows with my family life is my latest challenge. I can’t say yes to everything because I don’t want to work my life away. I love what I do, but I love my family more.
Work Perks
My job is only successful with a community of people watching and listening and loving and buying and sharing what I do. Community is integral to the success of my career. I love a job that’s driven by community. I also love when it has an ability to really move the marker for them and change their lives for the better as my Living Fully brand has done for so many in my community from what they tell me. I also love that I can do whatever I’m inspired to do on any given day: a motivational YouTube video on my morning routine, a new beauty product feature, a recipe with things I’ve grown in my garden, how to decorate your child’s playroom, where to eat on vacation, write a book. I don’t like doing the same thing, so that’s one of my favorite parts of my job.
Meet Mallory Ervin and other women in the local community who are the best in their fields at our annual Women in Business event.
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The mix and mingle reception will be held on August 24 from 5-7:30 p.m., to network with our Women in Business honorees plus 200 other local business professionals. Throughout the evening, we will be doing live Q and A sessions with each woman!
Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Virgin Hotels Nashville along with wine from Biltmore Winery and cocktails from Tito's Handmade Vodka. Beverages from a full bar will also be available for purchase (credit cards only).