We recently had the chance to connect with Gabrielle Agnew and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabrielle, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to start my day at 5:30 a.m. with some quiet time for devotion and prayer—it’s my little moment to center myself before the world wakes up. Then I put on soft music, maybe jazz, worship, or something inspirational, and ease into my morning routine: stretching, sipping water, taking my vitamins, and enjoying a slow shower and skincare ritual. I usually have a cozy cup of tea or coffee in hand by the time I’m ready. By 7:30, I can settle into my desk, answer emails, and gently map out the day ahead.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Gabrielle Victoria and my company is GV Innovative Strategies LLC. I bring creative visions to life, whether through a space, a story, or an experience. My work moves between interior and studio design, technical writing, personal styling, brand strategy, and event coordination. At the heart of it all, I help people and organizations express who they are in ways that feel real, beautiful, and intentional. What sets my approach apart is how I balance creativity with strategy. I care deeply about both the details and the feeling, making sure every element reflects purpose, personality, and vision. Right now, my projects range from transforming studios into inspiring creative hubs to helping brands and individuals tell their stories through thoughtful design, words, and curated experiences. For me, it’s about creating spaces and moments that feel aligned, honest, and alive, where people feel seen, inspired, and at home in who they are.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think many of us wrestle with perfection, and I’ve definitely been one of them. For 29 years, I chased it, trying to be the perfect student, graduate, daughter, employee, and so much more. Over time, I began to see that perfection often grows from people-pleasing, comparison, and ego. Life has taught me that none of those things are healthy reasons to push myself to exhaustion over some imagined standard. Chasing perfection left me anxious, insecure, and unkind to myself.
At the same time, it wasn’t all bad. It shaped me. It made me studious and organized in grade school, and later, it helped me stay disciplined and driven as I grew into adulthood. It built a foundation for my values and my work ethic. But stepping into this new decade of life, I’ve felt called to let go of that rigidity and lean into freedom and surrender. I’m learning to trust God deeply, to release strict timelines and the need for constant validation, and to move through life guided by alignment, purpose, and faith.
What I didn’t realize before is that perfection doesn’t actually protect or fulfill us. It can steal joy, creativity, and peace. True freedom comes through surrender.
I’m still ambitious—probably more than ever—but now I plan, pray, and stay present instead of obsessing over the finish line. I’ve learned that growth and creativity thrive when I stop clinging to control and allow life and God’s timing to unfold. What’s meant for me will never miss me, and that truth has brought me more peace than perfection ever could.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me how to truly empathize with others. When you’ve walked through difficult seasons, you can relate to people’s struggles in a way success never allows. I think we could all benefit from tapping into that shared human experience—remembering our own need for empathy, grace, and connection. Suffering reminds us that we are all interconnected, that everyone carries burdens we may not see, and that extending understanding and compassion is far more powerful than judgment or division. On a personal level, this awareness has shaped the way I live my life, do life with others, and approach my work. Ultimately, suffering taught me resilience and compassion in a way that success alone could never.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I distinguish between fads and real foundational shifts by looking at their staying power. Fads tend to be flashy, grab attention fast, and disappear just as quickly. Think of things like fidget spinners or viral social media challenges—they’re everywhere for a moment and then gone. Foundational shifts last because they meet a deeper need, inspire real change, or influence the way people think, act, or live over time.
In my work, whether in design, branding, or creative strategy, I focus on what feels timeless rather than what’s trendy. Mid-century modern design, for example, has stayed relevant for decades because of its balance of function and beauty. Neon signage, on the other hand, resurfaces in waves but hasn’t really changed how we think about design.
At the core, it comes down to substance versus spectacle. Will it enhance experience, behavior, or perspective in a meaningful way, or is it just fun for a season? Will it last, or is it just a moment? Does it actually shift the way people think or act? And does it reflect values that matter beyond the hype?
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When people tell the story of my life, I hope they remember a woman who loved deeply, laughed freely, and carried joy as her quiet rebellion against the weight of the world. I hope they remember my heart for people and how I tried to see the good in them, even when it wasn’t easy. I hope they notice my love for other cultures, my appreciation for art, music, and beauty, and my awe at the world God created.
I hope they remember my kindness, my gratitude, and the small ways I celebrated life for myself and others. I also hope they remember my flaws—my stubborn streak, my perfectionist tendencies, and yes, my lack of self-control in the snack aisle. I hope they see all of it as part of the same life that made me fully human.
I hope they see that I lived with curiosity, gratitude, and a desire to notice the extraordinary in ordinary moments. That I tried to inspire others to live thoughtfully, passionately, and authentically. That I was naively hopeful, even romantic, about the goodness around us and in each of us. That I was loyal to my friends and family and carried a deep devotion to my faith. Above all, I hope they remember a heart that always tried, sometimes stumbled, but never stopped showing up for love, beauty, and life itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gvinnovativestrategies.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gvinnovativestrategiesllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielleagnew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gvinnovativestrategiesllc
Image Credits
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