Meet Gabi Zuniga

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabi Zuniga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gabi, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Honestly, I didn’t overcome imposter syndrome with a single mindset shift or a TED Talk moment — it was a long process of doing the work anyway. I used to think imposter syndrome meant I didn’t deserve to be in the room. Over time, I realized it often just meant I was the one doing the most self-reflection in the room.

In the early years of my creative career, I was always trying to earn the right to be heard. I over-delivered. I stayed quiet in meetings. I gave other people credit for my ideas before they could beat me to it. It took working in environments where I was often underestimated, mismanaged, or overlooked to really understand how valuable my voice is. Working as an entrepeneur and getting to test my own project management and client relationship management techniques really helped grow my confidence.

These days, when imposter syndrome creeps in, I see it as a signal — not that I’m failing, but that I’m growing. The more responsibility I take on, the more I learn to separate “I feel uncertain” from “I don’t belong.” They’re not the same thing.

Now, I own my skillset. I ask better questions. I set better boundaries. I advocate for my creative process and the space it needs. Confidence didn’t come from praise — it came from getting clear on what I bring to the table, whether people recognize it or not.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a multidisciplinary creative and brand strategist who helps purpose-driven people show up with clarity, confidence, and actual cohesion across their branding. I partner with founders, small businesses, nonprofits, and creatives to build not just good-looking visuals, but visual identities that are rooted in real strategy. Think: logos that have a reason for existing, brand voices that feel natural and true to their goals, vision, and vibe.

What I love most is helping people see themselves — and what they’ve built — in a new light. It’s more than just design; it’s about creative problem solving, translating vision into something tangible, and making people feel like, yes, this is it. I know how overwhelming the branding process can be when you’re trying to juggle a hundred other things. My goal is to take that off your plate — and make you feel good in the process.

Right now, I’m working on expanding the client services side of my brand studio while building out new resources and tools for freelancers who want more structure, more sanity, and less burnout. And in between all of that, I’m finally prioritizing some of my own personal creative work (designers, you get it).

My work lives at the intersection of storytelling and systems — so whether I’m helping a business level up their visual identity or simplifying the backend of their creative process, I’m always thinking about the big picture. And I genuinely love what I do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Emotional resilience.
It’s not glamorous, but this has been the foundation of my entire creative and professional life. There were seasons where I was underpaid, overlooked, micromanaged, or just straight-up surviving environments that were draining the life out of me. Being able to ground myself — to find clarity even in chaos — made it possible for me to keep moving. I had to learn how to recover faster, protect my energy, and build my confidence from the inside out.

Advice: You don’t need to be “tough.” You need to be anchored. Learn how to regulate yourself, set boundaries, and give yourself compassion on the hard days. That is resilience.

2. Visual storytelling.
Design isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about communicating clearly. Whether I’m building a brand identity or crafting a pitch deck, I’m thinking about how it feels and what it says. I had to sharpen both my design eye and my ability to translate messy ideas into clean visuals.

Advice: Ask why before you design. Develop your taste. Steal like an artist — then remix it with your own point of view.

3. Project management (no, really).
People think creativity is chaos. And sometimes it is. But behind every polished deliverable is a pile of planning, scheduling, client comms, and clarity. Learning how to manage timelines, set expectations, and actually scope my work? That changed everything for me.

Advice: Systems aren’t the enemy. Start with simple ones: templates, checklists, a calendar you actually check. Your future self will thank you.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely — I’m always open to collaboration, especially when the alignment feels right.

I love partnering with people who are clear on their values, not just their vision. Whether you’re a founder, a fellow creative, or an org looking to build something with intention, I’m most excited by projects that center storytelling, community, and bold visuals. Bonus points if you’re a mission-driven brand, a culture shaper, or someone doing work that speaks to people who are often overlooked.

I’m also passionate about working with Black and Brown entrepreneurs and creatives. If you’re figuring it out as you go, building something real, and need a strategist or designer who can help bring clarity and vibe to the table — I’m your girl.

The best way to reach me is via email at [email protected] and my website thestudiogab.com. You can also find me on Tiktok at @thestudio.gab. I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

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