Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Galli.
Hi Maria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, a city that shaped my love for culture, design, and storytelling. My career began in the creative and communications field, where I learned how identity and narrative can influence the way people connect with brands and experiences. Early on, I knew I wanted to work at the intersection of creativity and strategy.
My first step outside of Argentina was in New York, a city that exposed me to a global perspective and sharpened my understanding of how brands resonate across cultures. Eventually, I made my way to Miami, which became both home and the launchpad for my entrepreneurial journey.
In Miami, I founded Pink Coconut Studio, a boutique branding agency that grew to collaborate with leading names in real estate, hospitality, and lifestyle. Over the years, my work has focused on translating big visions into brands people can feel and experience building identities that combine strategy with storytelling, and creativity with business purpose.
Alongside branding, I nurtured a passion for photography, which evolved from a personal pursuit into editorial, lifestyle, and architectural work. That visual perspective has always influenced my approach to brand strategy for me, creativity and business are inseparable, two sides of the same coin.
In recent years, I also expanded into editorial publishing, building a cultural platform that explores Miami’s creative energy through fashion, dining, travel, and the arts. It became a natural extension of my work, a way to amplify stories and highlight the intersections of culture, lifestyle, and design.
Today, my role has evolved into that of a brand strategist and marketing leadership consultant, working at a CMO level with developers, hospitality groups, and lifestyle brands. What excites me most is guiding founders and executives through the messy middle of building a brand, clarifying their story, shaping their vision, and bringing it to market with impact.
Looking back, the common thread in all of this is a deep belief in the power of creativity to transform business. Whether through branding, photography, or publishing, I’ve always sought to create work that resonates emotionally and strategically. My story is still being written, but what drives me hasn’t changed: building brands that inspire, connect, and endure.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This is such an interesting question. The short answer is no — it hasn’t been a smooth road. But then again, when is it ever? The entrepreneurial path is about navigating the expected challenges as well as the completely unforeseen ones that test your resilience.
As a creative person, one of my biggest struggles has been learning how to run a business once it grew beyond just me. It’s a completely different game. Balancing the time and energy to continue doing what I love — the creative work that started it all — with the demands of running a company has been eye-opening. Suddenly you’re not just creating; you’re also in accounting meetings, looking at growth projections, hiring and managing people, and handling business development. It can be daunting, but also deeply rewarding.
And of course, I’ve never stopped coming up with new ideas. Running multiple ventures in parallel multiplies both the challenges and the rewards, but it also keeps me inspired and constantly evolving.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many creative hats, brand strategist, creative director, and photographer, but at the heart of it, my work is about bringing ideas to life in a way that people can both see and feel. I specialize in shaping brands for real estate, hospitality, luxury brands and lifestyle, guiding everything from positioning and storytelling to visual identity and creative campaigns. My photography runs in parallel, focusing on lifestyle, architecture, and editorial, and it constantly informs my brand work by giving me a visual lens on how stories are told.
What I’m most proud of is having had the courage to launch not just one, but several businesses, each one reflecting a different side of my creativity. Building a boutique agency, a cultural platform, and a photography practice has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. Every step has required me to evolve, learn from my past mistakes, and grow in ways I never imagined.
What sets me apart is resilience, yes, but also vision. I have an innate sense of taste and style that I’ve carried with me from Buenos Aires to New York to Miami, and I combine that with the ability to think strategically about business.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I have a mix of resources and rituals to stay grounded and perform at my best. I work with a business coach, which has been invaluable in giving me perspective and accountability as I continue to grow as an entrepreneur.
On a personal level, I use the Calm app to reset during stressful days (which is most days), I practice pilates, and I make it a priority to walk my dog, honestly this is one of the most important rituals I have for clearing my mind. And one that is special to me, is I also always plan at least one ski trip each year; the mountains are where I truly disconnect, recharge and reset. That is my happy place.
For professional inspiration, I enjoy the channel by Chris Do, whose insights into marketing and business creativity are both practical and motivating. I also keep a steady flow of reading and listening in my life from design and branding articles to leadership and creativity. One recent book I loved is “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by rick Rubin. I also follow business leaders and female entrepreneurs for daily inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pinkcoconut.studio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariacgalli/
Image Credits
Pinkcoconut Team
