Content Manager at RDU98.5FM.

Follow Gemma on Instagram here (personal) and here (Instant Fantasy), and on Twitter.

Who or what did you want to be when you grew up?

I think the first thing I ever wanted to be was a giraffe. Then a marine biologist. Then throughout high school I didn't really have a definitive idea of what I wanted to do. I worked in school theatre productions (producing, prop & set building and acting) which I loved a lot. I got in to the Performance Design course at Massey but in my first year my tutor was like "Gemma girl, you are an artist!" So I changed to fine arts and got a masters in that.

What is your professional background?

After I got a Masters in Fine Arts I broke up with my boyfriend, started living on my friends floor and didn't have a job which was a great start. Then Radio Active in Wellington had a job going as their admin person and from there I wound up working in media and the music industry. As a true kiwi slashie I've got skills in content management, strategy and creation/on-air broadcast/programming/music curation/social media/digital strategy/project management/event& party planning/video/art/music. Watch me WORK.

When do you feel the most creative or inspired?

When I have a deadline ha ha. Or early in the morning. And there are definitely times during my menstrual cycle when I can harness more creative power.

When are you happiest?

On Saturday mornings before everyone has woken up when I'm sitting outside with my coffee and the cats are running around the garden.

What’s the best stress relief advice you’ve ever been given?

I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks so I got amongst mindfulness for a while. The best take away from that was this metaphor: instead of being outside in the storm, be inside a house watching the storm. Accept the negative thoughts are happening, but don't let them become so present in your head that they drench you with despair.

What is your most treasured possession?

This is a really hard question. Am I allowed to say my cats? Cause I don't want to call my family possessions.

What is the most important thing life has taught you thus far?

Be bold. Be humble.

What is your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in your industry?

I just read Melody's answers to this and I agree with her 1000000%! But also I read this book earlier this year called Sacred Success (thanks Ange for putting it on your instagram one day). Some of the book I could take or leave, but it was super inspiring and it helped me write a mantra: I am honest, I am creative and I know what I am doing. Until I read that book I thought I was going crazy cause people would either dismiss or minimise what I was saying, and I truly think this happens to a lot of women. I am smart, have great initiative & vision and can do my job really well. But I still have to tell myself that every day.

What is your big project or goal for 2018?

Well I just did a 2018 tarot reading for myself and the sentiment I got from it was "I am not going to catch on fire, I am going to light up". So I'm pretty excited for 2018.

Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?

The band I'm in - FANTASING. It's a never ending source of inspiration. My tarot cards are really good to reflect on situations. There is also a Fab Lab in Christchurch that has been running some workshops that brought together creative with technology (VR, electronics, motion capture, 3d printing, etc), and I've really been enjoying the social aspect around those classes cause the people in them are all interesting creatives using technology in their work which is what I am in to!

What do you continually ask yourself?

"What should I be doing??" - ha! Which can be a bit overwhelming but it's true. When I'm not working I'm making art or music so there is always something to be done.

Who do you collaborate with best?

I've been in a fair few bands and am also in an art collective. I like those kinds of collaborations because you build each other up and then all have something really particular that you contribute. You bring out really interesting things in each other and work to your strengths.

Who has challenged you to be better than you once were?

My current boss James Meharry. He doesn't except average work. He knows when we can do better on things and will push us to get there. He is a tough task master, but it gets results. And then I'm proud of what I have achieved.

How does courage manifest in your work?

People respond well when you are true to yourself and are honest. I try and do that and work on it every day.

When has mentorship played a role in your life?

A BIG part. (Thanks Anna Dean :p ) I think it has allowed me to open up my potential by working with people who care about what you are doing and are happy to see you thrive.