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

Hi Mariya, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The pursuit of a work-life balance seems more like a lifelong endeavor for me. When I first created my company, I worked all of the time. I was always on call for whatever my clients needed, treating everything with a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, though, burnout is real, and working at that caliber nonstop is unsustainable. I decided to go rogue. I packed up all of my belongings and put them in a storage unit, and then I left to travel the world. In the beginning I was all work, but then I did a 180 and was all play. Balance eluded me. A few months in, I realized that was also unsustainable, so I had to reassess. I selected the locations I traveled to more critically, ensuring I would have excellent access to WIFI in the hopes of mitigating previous connectivity issues I encountered. I also applied more structure to my days, working at consistent times and engaging in a routine. When a beautiful beach is right outside your door, planning specific times to go and specific times to work becomes paramount. Strategically outlining my days has made all of the difference in my pursuit of living a fuller, more balanced life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m Mariya Pallais (surprise surprise) from Mariya Pallais PR – first and foremost a Millennial, meaning memes and wine are a way of life. To further exploit cliches, I love dogs and have a chinchilla, who I call my child. I started in the Marketing department of AirBnB, which feels on brand, and decided that I wanted to create a life where I do it myself (PR, not home rentals). So, I broke out on my journey to entrepreneurship, which like all good journeys had a few flat tires but resulted in a great view.

I am most proud of how adaptable my business has been. Pre-COVID and post-COVID necessitated different things from the PR/Marketing industry. When companies were cutting costs to make it through the pandemic, one of the first things they trimmed was PR/marketing. It was a really difficult time for everyone and being able to survive that period and essentially make a comeback is awesome. I’m excited for where things are going – personally and professionally. During COVID I was able to pinpoint my favorite parts of my business and identify ways to build them out and bring them to fruition.

I realized that being my authentic self and allowing that to permeate throughout my work was important to me. So, I became more intentional with the businesses and individuals I worked with, only accepting clients who are innovators in their field and champion the betterment of society. Along with that, I also ensured that we had aligned expectations for PR/marketing, in the sense that the witty, sarcastic, Millennial humor of Mariya Pallais PR was illuminated and seen as an asset. For example, instead offering a run of the mill marketing and PR audit, we provide a service called, “Roast My Brand,” it’s like SNL but constructive.

I’ve also spent the last two years seeing the world and seeking joy, which has been fulfilling in its own right. It has given me a new perspective on my work and a renewed energy. I’ve learned that my purpose isn’t in my work – and that’s okay. I enjoy the work I do, and I enjoy how it pays the bills -so that I can travel to cool places and spend time 100 feet under the sea.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots in the city are entirely dependent upon whether or not it’s football season (Go Trojans & Rams). If we’re not at a game, I’d definitely take you to Mao’s Kitchen in Venice to grab Mapo Tofu. I worked there while I attended SMC, and I’ve yet to find another Chinese restaurant that does it better. If we decide to head downtown, we would be obligated to eat at Langer’s Deli. Above all else, though, we could not miss a trip to Erehwon for a $22 bottle of water, specifically the one in Pacific Palisades, because I know of a great viewpoint (only kidding but not about the view). Afterwards, we are headed to LAX to hop on a plane straight to Thailand; I know of a few cool places there, too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner, Sam, deserves quite the shoutout. Not only does she plan our travels, organize our lives, and always know where to find what I’m looking for, but she also works with Mariya Pallais PR as the Director of Content. I’m thankful for her willingness to listen to new business opportunities over breakfast (or anytime, really) and ability to dive right in. She gives me endless support and encourages me to explore new things. In doing so, she brings a solid balance to my personal and professional life.

Website: https://www.mariyapallaispr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariyapallais/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariyapallais/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MariyaPallaisPR

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariyapallaispr

Other: Medium: https://medium.com/@mariyapallaispr

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