We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabi Garcia-Gallont. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabi below.

Gabi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Whatever I have achieved and become, I have accomplished with hard work and passion. But I have to give immense credit to my parents who understood the importance of allowing me to follow a less conventional route, even when it meant venturing into an industry that was just emerging, at an age where I knew very little. All I had was a lot of energy and a desire to put myself out there and discover.

Their openness in letting me make my own choices fostered a sense of independence and self-expression in me. Instead of pushing me towards a predefined career, they encouraged me to experiment with my own interests. This freedom allowed me to discover a a career path that to this day, I am extremely passionate about.

This might sound very cliché, but my parents’ unwavering support, coupled with their patience and belief in my capabilities, not only allowed me to pursue something I wasn’t aware was even an option for me, but also made me want to believe in myself even more and strive to be the best at it to show how it was all worth doing.

Gabi, 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?

That initial job at 20 years old was a turning point for me. It was an unexpected and incredibly enriching experience. I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who were deeply passionate about their work in fashion and events. What struck me the most was some had a genuine willingness to share their knowledge and foster an environment of growth and learning, rather than striving to be the most influential person in the room. They valued the importance of surrounding themselves with people that were growing and learning and through that, I gained a profound understanding of the distinction between a boss and a leader. It was a transformative period that shaped my perspective on management and leadership and that is something that has brought me to where I am today. I am nothing if I don’t have a team that I treat as equal and you have no idea how appreciated that is today.

As time progressed, I began acquiring clients independently, leading me to the sudden realization that I had transitioned into freelancing as a fashion event producer. This shift allowed me to explore the fashion scene in Guatemala, but it being so new and emerging, I was forced to broaden my focus to encompass other types of events and initiatives, to be able to actually make my work profitable.

At the same time, being a part of something entirely new was a unique privilege. It required not just problem-solving, but also a ‘do it all’ mentality because we were all learning together. This experience, I believe, has equipped me with the skills I have today. It’s given me the capacity to not only comprehend other people’s roles but also understand what I can reasonably expect from them. That ‘do it all’ remains but it evolved. I don’t have to do it all, but I need a team that can do it all.

But navigating the world of freelancing comes with its fair share of uncertainties. Some days bring triumphs, while others pose challenges, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. It’s a journey where the path forward isn’t always clear, yet it’s precisely in those moments that I’ve learned the most. More than once I found myself wondering if I had made the right choices but with the support of my family and community I followed through every time.

So with time and as I gained more and more experience, I understood that clients not only valued my expertise, but also cherished the collaborative journey we embarked on together. I was not only good at what I did but people loved the idea or working with me. They found a perfect combination between commitment, passion and leadership. and that is priceless.

A few years ago and dreaming of passing along this passion I feel for what I do, I took on the role of an educator at a local university for over 5 years, teaching graduating Fashion Design students.

I also expanded my own world and started producing regionally in all of Central America for renowned companies. I also became part of the biggest fashion event in Guatemala. All of this made me just see the immense amount of opportunities that exist in this discipline and that there are no limits when you really want to succeed.

Reflecting on my journey now, more than 15 years since that initial job, I find myself collaborating with a diverse range of clients, bringing their envisioned events to life. It’s an incredible feeling to be the conduit between their ideas and the tangible experiences we create together. I immerse clients into a world that only existed in their head, and together we bring outstanding experiences to not only their guests but allies and working team.

What truly exhilarates me is the unpredictability of this profession. And what makes me the happiest about all of this, is that I never know what my next project will be, and that fuels my passion. It’s a sensation I thrive on. Challenges, while admittedly intimidating, are my greatest motivators. They push me to think outside the box and tap into reservoirs of creativity I never knew existed.

And if you ask me what it is, that makes me the most proud, it would be the trust I placed in my 21-year-old self. Believing in her vision, her capabilities, and what she aspired to achieve because it is exactly that that has paved the way for where I stand today. It’s a testament to the power of self-belief and the courage to chase one’s dreams. I owe my current success to that young, determined version of myself. And I am so proud to having accomplished so many things as an individual person, without ever having full time job working for a company or big entity. Just me, my passion and will to be the best at what I do.

And yes, one thing my clients have come to understand, is that with me on their team, there’s no goal we can’t achieve. And what sets us apart is not just our track record of success, but the genuine enjoyment we find in every step of the process. That’s where the magic truly happens.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

The most important and also basic thing to me, is creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, free from any sense of ridicule or diminishment. It is key to me that my team feels that my aim is to foster a culture of mutual learning and growth. Me being skilled isn’t enough; it’s equally essential to surround myself with equally capable, passionate and committed individuals. And I want them to know that.

I think all of this is achieved through a commitment to open, comfortable communication and a genuine willingness to share my expertise. I endeavor to infuse a sense of empowerment, knowing that their contributions are not only welcomed but deeply appreciated. I’m driven by the desire for those who work with me to experience not only professional, but also personal growth.

Replacing the word “I” with the word “WE” has an immense power that unifies us, creating a profound sense of belonging to something greater. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with people, and it’s what ultimately fosters a cohesive, thriving team.

And above all, being kind. To everyone involved. No matter where they stand in your team. We owe ourselves to the big ones and the small ones. And if we can achieve that they all perceive that, I think we are doing our job right.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Relocating to Los Angeles after a 15+ year career in Central America has been the biggest moment of resilience for me. The sensation of being small in a vastly larger landscape was both humbling and daunting. Thinking you are on the top, and being brought back down to earth. Embracing the need to be humble in times where you are questioning if something you have worked so hard for is worth it. Or even, questioning if you will be good enough.

Being used to things happening and people coming to me to work together, I suddenly started wondered if people here would recognize my skills and give me a chance. There were so many opportunities, each one a potential game-changer, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be given the opportunity to grab any of them.

But that exact feeling is what forced me to believe even more in myself and find different ways of making myself be seen and all of this has slowly opened new doors for me that come as opportunities that I am extremely humbled and excited about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: unicorniodoradogt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabigarciagallont/

Image Credits
The credits are on each photo file name. Paul Velas Michael Dwyer Alana