Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexia Gonzalez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Alexia Gonzalez and I’m a communications specialist with a lust for life and a passion for telling stories. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida to parents from Cuba and Spain. As far as I can remember, I’ve carried a deep love for the arts, starting musical theater and commercial acting at age 10 and by 14 I was signed with Sony Records to create a Spanish-language pop song titled “Cartas De Amor,” which launched into a Billboard-chart ranking single, featured on the soundtrack for the television series, Gabriel.
After spending years focusing on music and television, I put performance on hold to pursue studies at Florida State University. During my breaks, I would spend time traveling and writing about my experiences, having articles published in outlets, including USA Today, Huffington Post, and Haute Living. Upon graduating, I merged my skill in media studies with my passion for travel and kicked off a career in travel-focused public relations and marketing.
Upon graduating with a master’s degree in multicultural marketing, my career in hospitality public relations took off, working in the corporate agency sector. I began traveling the world for press trips, hotel openings, and international events, representing clients such as Hard Rock International and The Island of Aruba. I was able to explore new destinations and act as a tour guide for media and industry leaders. I also eventually made my way back on camera as a brand spokesperson, representing clients as a keynote speaker, on television, and nationally syndicated radio.
I continued to work remotely and left Miami for the coastal quaintness of Tampa Bay where I started my digital platform and lifestyle blog, The Gala Life, to share my love for the incredible local businesses and lifestyle in St. Pete and beyond. I was also cast a freelance fashion host for the Home Shopping Network (HSN), where I get to work with retail brands and talk style and beauty on television.
By 2021, I started working for The Dalí Museum, where I led their social media and content production, which allowed me to learn so much and expand my abilities as a digital creator. With a dad from Spain, Salvador Dalí has always been a pivotal source of inspiration in my life, so much so that my platform, The Gala Life is named after his wife, Gala Dalí, as she was his business manager, muse, and the woman behind the man, not to mention a bad a** female artist and figure for her time.
After more than a year of working full-time and simultaneously growing my platform and branding myself within this community, I’ve taken a chance on myself with the founding of The Gala Group – a bilingual communications firm, offering dynamic public relations, social media marketing, content creation, media training + branding services, a focus on storytelling worth celebrating. We provide agency expertise with a boutique approach.
Since starting my own business I’ve also had more time to apply to my love of acting, appearing in several Lifetime Network feature films as well as season two of “Life’s Rewards” on Amazon Prime. I’m most excited to be able to pursue my love for storytelling and creating content on my own terms. I look forward to supporting more visionaries looking to establish authentic connections with key audiences themselves!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting my small business has been one of the most challenging yet simultaneously rewarding experiences of my life. As someone who has worked for agencies and corporations full-time since graduating college, taking the self-employment leap felt like free-falling off the tallest mountain peak I could ever fathom, with no idea where I would land. There are definitely moments where I struggle with doubt, fear, and hesitation that I can’t handle it all. I’ve had bouts of depression and imposter syndrome, feeling judged and as though no one would take me seriously. But I know deep inside that I have the skill and experience and I’m at the point in my life where I need to take the opportunities that I have the luxury to assume. I know that if I don’t do this now, I will always regret it. I’m confident that with my passion, ambition, and lots of hard work, I’ll build The Gala Life empire that I wake up envisioning each day and an organization that will allow budding entrepreneurs, especially minority women like myself, to know that they can manifest any reality they envision, as long as they take the risk to create it.
“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse
We’ve been impressed with The Gala Group Agency, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Gala Life is a bilingual communications group, specializing in transforming insights into brand-building innovations and campaigns that spark conversations. We offer agency expertise with a boutique touch. www.alexiagonzalez.com/galagroup
Backed by more than a decade of integrated agency, in-house public relations, and digital marketing experience, we possess a proven track record and expertise in storytelling, brand development, and social media management. We’ve curated content, increased audience reach, and earned top-tier media placements for global transportation, hospitality, culinary, and lifestyle brands. Through data-backed research and planning, we offer an array of tailored communications services with the ability to streamline stories, curate content, and create experiences designed to position your brand to stand out of the crowded party.
The Gala Group services include the below —
Services + Capabilities:
• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Digital Marketing
• Brand Identification
• Strategic Partnerships
• Social Media Strategy/Management
• Photo + Video Content Creation
• Drone Photography + Videography
• Influencer Marketing
• Copywriting
• Public Speaking Services/Coaching
• Executive Media Training
• Hosting + Brand Representation
To focus on our travel & tourism clients, we’ve launched Travel News Wire, the press release creation and news wire distribution arm of The Gala Group, and one of the expanded public relations services in our communications arsenal. We aim to serve as a trusted source of real-time news for industry-focused trade and consumer journalists and digital creators, with a targeted strategy to reach new audiences throughout North America. We offer a full suite of services, including news release, content creation, and translation, designed to boost your visibility and leverage engagement. We let your news do the traveling! newswire.travel/travel-news-wire-launches-north-american-editorial-and-press-release-distribution-service/
Focused on results-driven strategies, Gala Group will define your digital presence, fine-tune your brand voice and boost engagement with curated content and customized strategies, designed to translate into revenue growth and increased visibility. Currently working with both local business and international travel, tourism, and transportation brands
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is connecting with new people and places. I love traveling because it allows me to discover new facets of life and cultures. I especially adore new parts of Florida (to me) and the dynamic region that is Tampa Bay. I love to explore a new place and establish a connection with the area through the food and locals. My perfect day consists of discovering art, trying new restaurants, visiting hotels to gawk at interior design, or catching a Pass-a-grille sunset with some oysters and chardonnay in tow – and sharing it all on my story to inspire creativity.
Contact Info:
- Email: gala@alexiagonzalez.com
- Website: https://www.alexiagonzalez.com/galagroup
- Instagram: @thegalagroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewsWireTravel
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gala-group/
Image Credits
Alexia Gonzalez
