We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Galvez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Overall, yes, I am happier as a business owner. I’m my own boss. I get to plan my days the way I want, work on projects I believe in, and build something meaningful alongside my husband, Niko. There’s a deep sense of freedom and purpose in that. It’s not just about making a living, it’s about creating a life that feels true to me.

But of course, there are moments when I wonder what it would be like to have a “regular” job. A steady paycheck every two weeks. A team handling the overhead, client management, and logistics. When you work for someone else, there’s a layer of financial predictability and structure that doesn’t always exist in entrepreneurship.

The last time that thought really hit me was right after we wrapped a big project. It had been weeks of long days, late nights, and pouring everything we had into the execution. And then… silence. The inbox was still. The calendar, wide open. I remember sitting on my couch, laptop open, staring at my screen, wondering: Where’s the next job going to come from? That sinking feeling crept in. What if it doesn’t?

During the slow times, I think about how easy it would be to go back to something stable. But then I reminded myself: this is part of it. The hustle, the quiet, the rebuilding. Being a business owner means learning to ride out the slow seasons without losing faith. It means saving during the highs, trusting in your craft during the lows, and staying grounded even when the path ahead isn’t clear.

One of the biggest rewards for me is authenticity. In the corporate world, you often have to live through someone else’s brand, carefully curating your image, second-guessing what you post, making sure it aligns with their values. As a business owner, I get to show up as me. We’ve built a brand rooted in transparency, real stories, and who we truly are, not who we’re supposed to be.

So yes, the idea of stability crosses my mind. But every time it does, I circle back to the same truth: I’d rather build something I believe in, even with all the risk and uncertainty, than clock in for something that doesn’t make me happy. That’s a lesson I’ve had to learn (and keep relearning), but I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. Not even on the hard days.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, I’m Stephanie Galvez—media producer, creative strategist, and cofounder of NEG MEDIA PRO, a media production company I run alongside my husband, Niko Galvez. Together, we help brands, organizations, and entrepreneurs bring their visions to life through high-impact video production, content creation, live event production, and executive support.

My journey into this industry wasn’t traditional, but it was deeply rooted in purpose. I’ve worked in the corporate world since I was 16, always drawn to the intersection of creativity, logistics, and storytelling. With a background in communications and media, I spent years working behind the scenes on major projects, supporting executives, and producing content designed to resonate. Over time, I realized I was building a skill set that could translate into something bigger, something of my own.

In 2023, after my corporate position was eliminated, I made a pivotal decision. Rather than search for another job, I chose to invest fully in the business my husband and I had started. That leap of faith became the turning point that led us to grow NEG Media Pro into a multi-service creative agency.

At NEG MEDIA PRO, we offer:
Video production – branded content, music videos, commercials, short films

Live event production – from small business launches to full-scale conferences and expos

Content capture + strategy – for individuals and businesses who want to show up online with intention

Executive support + creative direction – helping thought leaders organize, present, and elevate their ideas

Red carpet and special event hosting – including interviews, coverage, and media coordination

Our clients often come to us with big ideas but no roadmap. That’s where we come in. We help bring structure to vision, clarity to message, and creativity to execution. We’ve proudly served a wide range of clients, from global brands to small businesses, and we act as brand advisers for organizations like Shrunk 3D Las Vegas, connecting the right people to bring projects to life.

What sets us apart is our approach. We lead with both heart and high standards. We believe the process matters just as much as the final product. We take time to listen, ask the right questions, and collaborate with care, because we know that real connection drives real results.

What I’m most proud of is how personal this work is. I get to build something meaningful with my husband. Every project we take on reflects our values, our hustle, and our belief that storytelling is a powerful legacy.

From surviving thyroid cancer to finishing a Spartan Trifecta to mentoring up-and-coming creatives, I’ve lived through moments that shaped how I move through the world. Those experiences are woven into everything I do. That’s what I bring into every project: the mindset that this isn’t just content, it’s legacy work.
It’s about making your life and your work count.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey has been defined by resilience—and transformation. I’m a cancer survivor, a Spartan Trifecta finisher, and a dedicated mentor.

In 2016, just four months before my wedding, I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. What followed was a whirlwind: four surgeries, two rounds of radiation, and the crushing realization that parts of my treatment had been mishandled. It would’ve been easy to spiral, but instead, I leaned into self-advocacy. I learned to ask harder questions, to push for answers, and to speak out so others wouldn’t have to walk the same road blind.

In 2023, I took a genetic test and found out I carry the CHEK2 genetic mutation, which significantly increases my risk for several cancers: thyroid, breast, uterine, colon, and even brain cancer. It was a hard pill to swallow. After speaking with my husband, I made some of the hardest decisions of my life: I underwent a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction, followed by another major surgery to remove enlarged fibroids. That meant four surgeries in four months.

But here’s the part that surprises people: I completed my first Spartan Super race three months after my last surgery. Mud, obstacles, uphill climbs, monkey bars, rope climbs. It was so empowering, since then I’ve completed five races, including the Big Bear Trifecta, the second hardest course in the US.

In total, I’ve had 12 surgeries in eight years. And through each one, I’ve tried to keep a positive mindset, not out of denial, but because I believe healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, spiritual, and mental. And it’s ongoing. I work on myself every single day.

I’m actually in the process of writing about this journey, everything I’ve survived, learned, and reclaimed. My hope is to finish it later this year and use it to uplift others who might be facing their own battles.

My story is about survival, yes, but more than that, it’s about choosing to live fully, fight bravely, and lead with purpose, no matter what.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2023, I found myself standing at a major crossroads. I was notified that my position was being eliminated. I had two options: take a severance package or try to find another role within the company. After a lot of thought, I chose to walk away.

It wasn’t an easy decision. I had grown so much during my time there, I met my husband there, I got my Master’s while I was there. I poured my energy into the work and gained experience I truly valued. But deep down, I knew it was time. I had reached the end of that chapter, and the next step was staring right at me.

That’s when I decided to go all in on NEG Media Pro. To take everything I’d learned from school, from my career, and pour it into something that was ours.

It was terrifying. I’ve been working in the corporate world since I was sixteen. For twenty years, I’ve always had a boss—someone giving direction, assigning tasks, guiding the next step. Suddenly, it was all on me. No one was handing me projects or timelines. We had to create the work. We had to go find the opportunities.

What made the transition easier, and honestly, what’s helped us thrive- is my husband. He has this natural ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. That energy, combined with my strategy and attention to detail, became our secret sauce. He’s been a huge part of our momentum and success.

That pivot wasn’t just about leaving a job. It was about stepping into ownership, not just of a business, but of my story, my skills, and the kind of impact I want to make. It was about believing in me, in us. And I haven’t looked back.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.negmediapro.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_galvez24/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniegalvez24/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@negmediapro
• Other: www.thelocaltalentpodcast.com

Image Credits
Photographer: Jay David Photographer: Jenny Choi