We recently connected with Gala Magriñá and have shared our conversation below.
Gala, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2018, while I was running M Crown Productions, my design and production agency, I realized that the commercial and residential interior design work we began to do was more fulfilling (and less stressful) than producing live events and exhibitions. I was pouring all my energy into something that people would get to experience for only a day or two, versus working deeply with people or brands to create a space that they would use every day. I found more meaning in that kind of lasting impact.
This was the seed of the idea for my company, but the financial rewards of event production made it difficult to walk away entirely.
When COVID halted live events and gatherings, it gave me time and space to think about what I would do next. I knew that whatever this was needed to be equally lucrative, and the uncertainty was scary. Ultimately, I decided to close M Crown Productions and pursue my dream of launching Gala Magriñá Design.
Five years and a pandemic later, I essentially rebuilt my business from the ground up. It wasn’t easy by any means, but it was the right move. I always say: the Universe whispers before it screams and drags you. It’s best to listen to the whisper and take action rather than get dragged!
Gala, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I studied film and television at NYU. After graduation, I took a job at Diesel, the Italian fashion brand, designing their window and store displays and working my way up to Creative Manager for the US. This puts me in charge of designing our showrooms, office spaces, and marketing events, in addition to the stores and windows. As I grew in the company, I realized my passion for design.
I established M Crown Productions, producing pop-up shops, fashion showrooms, events and exhibition design and production. This is eventually what led me to interior design.
In 2018, I discovered Vedic meditation and knowledge, and it changed my life. It helped me reconnect with my purpose, expand my awareness, and rethink on a deeper level the impact I wanted to make through my work. I became passionate about holistic design and mindfulness, which shifted my focus from temporary spaces to permanent interiors rooted in holistic interior design. My mission came into focus: to merge the cool and beautiful with the holistic and mindful to create spaces that heal, inspire growth, and elevate energy.
Aside from our large-scale commercial and residential interior design projects, I also offer something called “The Beyond Spaces Consult.” This in-person or virtual consultation is based on the idea that our spaces are a direct reflection of us. Much like a palm reader reads someone’s palm, I can read someone’s space and bring to light some of the issues or patterns that can be positively transformed through their built environment. It’s always fascinating how accurately our spaces reflect the people who live and work in them.
Outside of my design studio, I harness my background in acting and film to support another passion: public speaking. Across platforms (podcast, TV, editorial) , I welcome any opportunity to share my holistic interior design principles and encourage people to live more mindfully. I recently did a segment for PIX11’s New York Living, and I also host my own podcast, “Going Beyond Spaces with Gala,” (https://galamagrinadesign.com/beyond-spaces-podcast/) which debuted a top 40 design podcast in the US. I hope to make a positive impact on the world, one space and one conversation at a time.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It’s all about being in flow. I practice a twice daily meditation that helps me stay present, reduce stress and stay grounded. We all know what it feels like when life is flowing- we feel on top and opportunities arise at a seemingly perfect time. When I’m designing for a client, it feels like being in the flow. I lose track of time, and just the right ideas and solutions come to me. When we finish a project, my team and I have literally turned energy (creativity) into matter- a finished, physical space.
Our projects typically span seven months to two years, so it’s amazing to take a step back and look at a space once it’s complete and be able to say, “We birthed this into existence.” And then, give that gift of the perfect space to our clients.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I’ve had to unlearn was how my people-pleasing tendencies and lack of self-worth impacted my bottom line. There were times where I’ve gone out of my way for a client, when what I should have done was put my foot down. Or, perhaps I’ve billed a project at a lower rate than what the work merited. I’ve learned to view my services not as an hourly rate but as long-term transformation. Holistic interior design is about more than just a beautiful space, it’s also about a space that nurtures and supports you. Considering people spend about 90% of their time indoors, a holistic approach is a huge value-add. While I’ve always perceived it as such, it wasn’t until I began working with interior design coach Sean Low that we began billing clients that way.
My best advice for fellow entrepreneurs is to do the inner work. Invest in your personal growth and healing. Whatever baggage you carry—consciously or unconsciously—will show up in your business and can hinder your success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://galamagrinadesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galamagrinadesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalaMagrinaDesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galamagrina/
Image Credits
Photographers are in in file name; otherwise, “courtesy of Gala Magriñá Design”