The stories we tell ourselves- and the ones holding us back
The Soulfuls Mentorship Program is up and running again, with a fresh new group of talented mentors excited to share their knowledge and learn a thing or two from the up-and-coming change makers in their respective industries, and an equally inspiring group of mentees ready to grow, learn, create impact and build a meaningful community
That’s what The Soulfuls is all about. It’s not just a year of mentoring and then back to life as usual. The intention is to create lasting change to build a community you can trust, grow with, and celebrate alongside for years to come. The Soulfuls has a track record of successfully matching mentors with mentees since 2018, and our community continues to flourish and grow as we welcome new mentors for 2025.
Among our shining mentees part of the 2024 Dreams and Doers cohort is Catalina Gallardo, a 27-year-old founder and designer behind Catalina Gamo, a sustainable eveningwear brand for women who dare to be bold, colourful, and unapologetically themselves.
Drawing from her Chilean and Danish roots, Catalina fuses Latin vibrancy with Scandinavian minimalism, proving that embracing your full identity is a superpower and can be the very thing that makes you stand out.
Her brand creates bold, made-to-order pieces using eco-friendly Italian fabrics. Catalina focuses on high-quality fashion with minimal waste. Produced in Denmark and sold exclusively in Europe, Catalina Gamo is redefining sustainable fashion for the modern, conscious woman.
We spoke to Catalina about the meaning of community, overcoming anxiety, the stories we tell ourselves that hold us back, and how she's learned to rewrite those narratives as the founder of her dream business.
Her journey is just one of many powerful stories from The Soulfuls Mentorship programme. Keep an eye out for more stories from our amazing community. Let’s dive in!
What drew you to apply for The Soulfuls Mentorship Program?
I saw a friend who also runs a fashion brand go through the program a few years ago and speak so highly of it. After chatting with her and hearing how much it helped her, I knew this was exactly what I needed to push myself forward in my career.
However I didn’t make it to the opening of the program, a beautiful opportunity to meet the mentors and mentees, and get inspired. I told myself it was because I was taking care of a friend’s puppy and couldn’t leave it alone. That was partly true, but honestly, it was also a story I told myself to avoid facing my anxiety.
When Aram kindly checked in with me afterwards, we had a meaningful conversation. I opened up about my real desire to be part of the mentorship program, and she reassured me it was a safe space.
I’m so glad I chose to show up in the end because it turned out to be an incredibly positive experience. I was nervous and anxious walking into a space full of people I didn’t know… but it turned out to be amazing! I left feeling inspired, and I had so much fun.
What does community mean to you?
To me, a community is a group of people with something meaningful in common. When you’r in community, it brings a sense of belonging, it's a wholesome and beautiful feeling, like you’re surrounded by people who truly get you, despite all your differences, something deeper is connecting you all.
What’s a story you used to tell yourself that you now know isn’t true?
I used to believe I wasn’t cut out to be a business owner. Or that my anxiety would ruin the opportunities I had and keep me from growing. But I’ve proved that wrong.
I'm learning every day how to run a company, and I’m proud to say I haven’t let anxiety stop me. It's still there sometimes, but it no longer controls the path I’m on.
Was there a moment when you realised you were holding yourself back? What shifted?
Definitely. I used to let my negative thoughts win, making excuses for why I couldn’t achieve big things. But thanks to my mentor, Katrine, I’ve started to see what I’m capable of. She’s given me amazing advice, helped me understand my own strengths, and been someone I can truly confide in.
What’s a belief or value that’s shaped who you are today?
I believe the hard experiences I’ve been through helped me grow faster. They gave me resilience, thick skin, and helped me focus on what actually matters. Now I know whatever comes my way, I can face it.
What are your career goals, and how does The Soulfuls fit in?
One of my biggest goals is to build a brand that makes a personal impact, to help women feel bold, confident, and free in what they wear. Through The Soulfuls, I’ve gained clarity on what makes my brand unique, and I feel more confident in the direction I’m heading.
What did your mentor and you focus on concerning your anxiety and the stories you tell yourself?
My mentor always allowed me to feel seen and heard We have eaningful conversations about how I was feeling. Setting up this safe space made for the perfect environment for us to really focus on growing my brand and improving different areas of it.
Having a strong woman like Katrine by my side, someone who genuinely cared, shared her knowledge, and guided me, was incredibly empowering. I never imagined I’d have access to that kind of support. It made a huge difference in both my confidence and my professional growth.
For those who have anxiety and are struggling, what would you tell them?
I’d say it’s about finding the strength to take that first step,even if it’s a small one. For me, thinking of both my personal life and my brand in terms of “baby steps” has made everything feel more manageable and helped me avoid spiraling into overthinking. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety, and I haven’t found a perfect remedy myself. Different things work for different people.
And what can The Soulfuls do better to support mentees and help them feel more comfortable?
What really stood out to me about the Soulfuls community was how open and understanding everyone was. It felt like a safe space where difficult conversations were welcomed, and I never once felt unheard or unsupported. That made a huge difference.
I think continuing to create space for honest conversations around mental health is essential. When those discussions are normalised, people feel more empowered to share what they’re going through. And sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone, that others have been in that dark place too, can be incredibly healing. It reminds you that you’re not “the odd one out.” You’re just human.
Your mentor just wore a piece from your collection in Bali while travelling. Tell us about that experience.
Yes! She did.
A few weeks ago, she visited my studio and saw my new summer collection, which I’m launching at the end of May. She loved one of the samples and asked if she could order it, but in our orange fabric. Of course, I said yes right away and got to work.
I was so happy that it fit her well!
Seeing her wear it, and then post such kind words about my brand Gamo on Instagram, it honestly meant the world to me. Especially coming from her.
Catalina’s story is a powerful reminder that we all carry stories we tell ourselves. These stories can come from society, from the people around us, or even from our own doubts. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is choose to rewrite them.
Stay tuned for more inspiring voices from The Soulfuls community. Because when women support women, big things happen. In the meantime check out Gamo and stay tuned follow her on Instagram to know when the new collection drops!
