Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/86221
:gala darling was pretty much over. I was lucky that I met a man who was into alternative healing and he said that 'if we are going to date you need to sort your life out'," says the queen of hearts on how the transformation began. One of the things that helped her come to grips with herself was acupuncture without needles; Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Then in Australia, she started a blog that gradually pumped her with confidence and self-esteem. New York, New York Setting foot in the Big Apple was a life changing moment for Gala who went to attend a friend's wedding and never returned. "The minute I stepped out of the cab I felt this is where I belong. There was an incredible energy. It was my 'aha' moment. Though the culture shock was intense, I just knew that this is the place I want to be in. It's like everyone is on a mission here. There is such a buzz. The major difference is that in America it is ok to be ambitious; in fact, it is officially encouraged in NYC. On the other hand, in New Zealand you are encouraged to downplay it a little bit and we don't want to be seen as trying too hard," enthuses the celebrity go-getter who is not afraid to admit that she is ambitious and open to new opportunities each day. Being a fashion blogger who contributed to Cosmopolitan, Australia was an instant pick-up for the style dissident. Before she could say New York, New York, Gala was invited to a luncheon with the big bosses of Louis Vuitton. "I had been alone in New York City for three days and I got an email from Louis Vuitton. I couldn't believe it that anyone even knew I existed in America. It was the director from North America who got in touch saying they wanted me to have breakfast with five other bloggers. We went for this lavish lunch where all the people from Louis Vuitton were there. They wanted to know how they could be better engaged with bloggers. Of course, that was six years ago when designers collaborating with bloggers was quite unheard of," she regales excitedly. Coming to New York opened up the flood gates of opportunity. "My career just exploded. The opportunities just flowed in. In Australia, it's as if you don't exist because you are so far away but in New York when they can see you and meet you, it is a completely different ball game," reasons the girl who loves New York with a passion. Designing Destiny Born as Amy Paper, the then 23-year-old Gala designed her destiny, starting with a new identity. "I always thought my name was really boring and wanted to change it. I remember when I first started playing around on the internet and the idea that you got to choose a 'handle' or a new name to go by, was so exciting to me! It felt like freedom to be whoever you wanted to be. When I was about 22, I set the intention that I wanted a new name, but I wasn't sure what it should be. I decided that I would welcome any sign from the universe that came my way. Not long afterwards, I had that dream. I changed my name a couple of months later. Changing my name really woke me up to how we are in charge of our own destiny," she says thoughtfully. This was the beginning of the epic success story that involved, glitz, glamour and a much disciplined work ethic. "I start my day with a gratitude list that makes me aware of how lucky I am. I do it before I open my computer since replying to emails is just reacting to what other people say. My dad gave me this book called Eat that Frog: 21 ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time. It's taught me to do the stuff that you hate most first. The idea is that the activity you're dreading most is your frog for the day and your job is to eat it. If you have several big, ugly tasks, then you have to eat several big, ugly frogs. You're supposed to eat the biggest, ugliest one first," says Gala who confesses to being Daddy's darling. "My parents were recently with me in New York and it hit me that I'm so much like my dad when it comes to being curious and enthusiastic about things. That way I never get bored because there is always something more exciting and stimulating to be done. As for my mother, I get her sense of style. My mother is a fashion retailer and has always been a very stylish lady. I remember that we used to have three Christmas trees, each one done up exquisitely and differently from the other," she shares on how her mother's passion for all things pretty has given her a sense of aesthetics. "I had been alone in New York City for three days and I got an email from Louis Vuit- ton. I couldn't believe it that anyone even knew I existed in America." 12 | www.hermagazine.co.nz