Fashion model, entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and digital design guru — Nikki Gal doesn’t limit her creativity to just one sphere and is building a multifaceted career suited to her interests. She embodies the power of adaptability, perseverance, and vision. Her daily life calls for a lot of dedication and effort, and Nikki has special secrets on how to get everything done.
Nikki, you are an amazingly beautiful and intelligent woman. What skills help you juggle a career as a fashion model, speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of a nonprofit focused on women’s mental health and well-being? How can all this activity be packed into 24 hours? Do you have any secrets for effective time management? What advice can you give to women who want to juggle different careers like you?
Thank you very much for your kind words! Throughout my career, I have learned to adapt to a fast-paced schedule while maintaining a consistent and healthy balance between both my professional and personal life. You can accomplish a lot in 24 hours, but from experience I’ve learned to dedicate the needed time to recoup my energy and my focus. When it comes to regularly producing creative work, the brain needs time to reprocess itself in order to keep going. This includes time management and project organization. For time management, my best secret would be to get yourself in a schedule you’re comfortable with and are motivated by. As for women who have aspirations to build a multi-faceted life of their own — visually brainstorm, hone your own talents, and make many goals for yourself. Doing this each day will guide you in the right direction while also keeping your brain inspired and productive.
Your photos constantly appear on the covers of fashion magazines. Your job in the fashion industry requires attention to image and style. What elements of style do you consider most important for success in this field? What challenges do you face while working as a model? What moments in your modeling career do you consider the most important and inspiring?
With the modeling industry also being a fast-paced environment, fashion and style become revolving doors. In my own opinion, you as an individual represent your own style. As a fashion model I choose to think of myself as my own canvas, which is a reflection of my self-expression, allure and style. As models we often feel as though we need to keep up with present day trends and the overall fast-paced nature of the industry. That is a challenge most models will face during their career, especially during fashion weeks. Learning to disconnect by refocusing your mind and body on your own professional presence can lead to more positive and productive growth as a model in the fashion industry. In my own career as a model, my best memories are working with many talented and creative individuals. So many have inspired myself and my career, as I’m grateful to have met such innovative individuals.
What principles and values underpin your project related to women’s mental health and wellbeing? What specific initiatives are you pursuing in this area?
Within my nonprofit dedicated to women’s mental health and wellness, my mission is to break the stigma by bringing awareness and shedding light on discussions pertaining to women’s everyday candid lives and raw experiences. My nonprofit Raw Talk with Nikki Gal aims to create and connect a community of women from all walks of life across our world to make mental health heard, seen and supported. Over the years Raw Talk with Nikki Gal has become a diary for women while reaching over 5 listening platforms worldwide resulting in hitting listeners from over 40 countries.
Your performances in front of an audience are a valuable part of your creative fulfillment. What topics do you usually bring up?
I discuss and cover a multitude of topics within my work, including mental health awareness, entrepreneurial advice, tips on avoiding creative burnout, effectively managing yourself, and balancing a multi-faceted career in today’s society.
Model: Nikki Gal @nikkicgal
Photo: Angelina Robertson
PR: @multi_publications
