We recently connected with Amalia Gal and have shared our conversation below.

Amalia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Aaahh…vacation. A great concept. Like many business owners, I find it hard to step away from the office in order to take a break. However, I know that it’s good to get away and experience a different environment for a while. The last vacation I took was earlier this year, when I attended a friend’s destination birthday event in Cuba. The birthday celebration was four days in Havana; I took an extra six days to visit three additional cities on my own. It was great to explore a country I hadn’t previously visited. I was forced to slow down and not think about work too much, as internet access was spotty.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I completed the Interior & Environmental Design program at UCLA, graduating in 1995. Early in my career I worked in high-end residential for a few years. I then discovered commercial design, which was intriguing to me because the work environment is more of a corporate environment with a creative slant. I worked in that arena for about 15 years.

In the mid-2000’s the economy was terrible and negatively affected the architecture/construction industries. I had just received my EU passport that was an application process of several years (a story for another time), so in 2010 I decided to move to Paris, a city I had visited several times and loved for its’ architecture and culture. I didn’t have a job, didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak the language. With my passport and two cats in tow, I took a leap of faith. I thought I would “try it out” for a few month but ended up living there for almost two years.

When I came back to Los Angeles from Paris in 2012 I worked from home, picking up small projects from the contacts I had prior to leaving. A few years of doing that, plus a better economy, and suddenly I was overwhelmed with work. I realized I had a business, and in July of 2018 I got an office and an employee and officially launched Amalia Gal Interior Design.

As a boutique design studio, we provide both residential and commercial interiors services. We have completed many projects over the past five years, from a 50 square foot residential bathroom remodel to an 85,000 commercial office building remodel. We have also completed decorating projects in which we select furniture, fixtures, finishes and accessories for an existing residence. What I provide to clients are solutions to their needs or “wish list”, while making their spaces functional and beautiful. While each client has individual requests to which I pay close attention, the common thread throughout all of my projects is my love of pattern and color.

I also keep my finger on the pulse of the interior design industry. To that end, we have upped our social media game. A few months ago we started a video series called “Word of the Day”, in which I explain interior design and architectural terminology. Our fans were clamoring for more, so now we have two spinoffs: “Learn of the Day” and “Spotlight On”. I’ve received very nice comments on all three video types. You can find us on Instagram and YouTube @amaliagaldesign.

What sets AGID apart from other design firms is the fact that we offer decorating services as well as design services. If a client wants a new kitchen or wants to remove walls to make an open concept plan, we don’t rely on an architect or kitchen designer. We do the design and drawings and have other professionals that I bring in on projects on an as-needed basis. We attend site meetings, write up meeting minutes and solve issues as they come up. We work as a team with the contractor and homeowner or business owner, to produce the best design solutions possible.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I started my business in July of 2018. A year-and-a-half later, the whole world was affected by the pandemic. I hadn’t been in business long enough to put down deep roots. I came into the office every day, taking the time to organize my business so that when the world righted itself, I would be ready. I struggled through 2020-2022, but I made it to the other side, a stronger business woman.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I take every opportunity to network. Just prior to officially launching my business, I contacted every contractor, installer, product representative, friend or acquaintance. I continue to network with industry connections. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: amaliagaldesign.com
• Instagram: @amaliagaldesign
• Youtube: @amaliagalinteriordesign
• Yelp: Amalia Gal Interior Design

Image Credits
Amy Barnard Photography Jess Isaac Photography