May Li Geoy tells us about combining her two life-long loves, art and journaling, in the creation of Gml Gallery.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how May Li Geoy, the founder of Gml Gallery, gets it done like a boss.
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
What started as a weekly respite to manage anxiety during the 2020 lockdown turned into an opportunity to fuse my life-long loves: art and journaling. Painting whisked me away into the faraway lands of my imagination and beautiful encounters I’ve missed, while journaling calmed me as I watched the world’s transition through the pandemic. It’s the idea of combining the benefits of journaling and artistic expressions that led to the creation of Gml Gallery – journals wrapped in art.
I like my journals, wrapped in original illustrations, to provide a safe harbour for writers and journalers to return to each time we birth thoughts. They’re not to be shared on social media, but precious reflections to capture and keep.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
Getting my voice out there in the busy digital world we operate in. My painting, the creative process and the production of journals have taken up much of my time. It’s challenging to set aside time to handle the content creation portion and marketing.
I’m grateful I’ve found partners along the way, through solid brand retail tie-ups for stockists and collaborating with another journal brand to handle the designing and marketing of our planners. But yes, I’m always on the lookout to find my tribe, fellow collaborators and those who appreciate my painted journals!
How do you keep stress levels low?
Evening brisk walks, quiet time and painting, of course!
How do you deal with self-doubt or criticism?
I turn to my faith, and also to friends and family for advice.
Favourite places to work?
My home, which is my sanctuary when I’m painting, and nice quiet cafes for meetings.
Can you share a work mantra that you use?
Nobody says anything worth the fight is easy.
One thing you can keep talking about for hours?
My love for painting and journaling – and how beneficial both are to our mental well-being and growth.
Your go-to self-care activity?
Brisk walks, catching up with friends, quiet time with God and painting.
One piece of advice to your younger self?
Never settle.
Get in touch with May Li Geoy online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!