Career Confessions: The luxury travel marketing agency founder who carved out a career on her own terms

Do you like your job? Or wonder what it would be like if you’d gone against your parents’ advice and pursued your dream career? Her World’s Career Confessions column spotlights the professional journeys of its subjects and reveals how each individual’s career path and the choices they have made can have an impact on their personal finances, psychological health, and interpersonal relationships.

Christine Galle-Luczak grew up surrounded by strong role models in her family who shaped her journey into entrepreneurship. Born in Normandy, France, and educated in Paris, Christine’s true schooling took place at home, surrounded by her maternal and paternal grandmothers.

Her maternal grandmother, now 103, raised three children alone after becoming a widow at 33, while her paternal grandmother, orphaned at 14, took care of her younger siblings. These stories of perseverance taught Christine the value of hard work and shaped her belief that effort and determination could overcome any challenge.

“[She] took on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings – a brother who was 10 and a sister who was just six. She raised them independently, embodying resilience and strength,” Christine reflects. “Growing up, I learned that hard work and perseverance were key, especially since I wasn’t the most academically inclined. I often took longer than my peers to grasp things, but I always made up for it with effort and determination. I believe that the values instilled in us during childhood stay with us throughout our lives.”

Her father, who ran an orphanage for refugees and orphans, also played a key role in opening her eyes to the wider world, sparking her interest in Asian cultures. This curiosity eventually set the stage for her future, leading her to Bali, where she met her husband and eventually moved to Bangkok, marking the beginning of her hospitality career. 

Despite her marketing background and lack of hospitality experience, Christine’s attitude and drive stood firm. After gaining experience at luxury wellness resort Chiva-Som, she moved to Singapore, where she founded Heavens Portfolio, blending her passion for travel and PR.

Today, Christine describes her work not merely as a job or a career but as a calling driven by passion. “It’s truly a passion,” she explains. “To succeed, you have to put your heart and soul into it. You have to feel it in your gut every single day. Passion isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a relentless force that propels you forward, even when you’re tired or uncertain.” 

For Christine, passion is the difference between simply working and truly thriving – it’s what keeps her moving forward, no matter the challenges that come her way. She details more in her career confession, below.

Name: Christine Galle-Luczak
Highest Education: Conservatoire des arts et metiers - CNAM Paris, Master of Marketing – France
Job Title & Industry: CEO & Founder of Heavens Portfolio
Years of Work Experience: 30

What was the key motivator that led you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?  

My Asian journey led me to Bali where I met Kristoffer, now my husband who is in the hospitality  business. When we later moved to Bangkok I joined him and had the chance to meet with Joy  Menzies, who was Managing Director of Chiva-Som Hua Hin at the time, Subsequently I was given the opportunity to meet with the owner of Chiva-Som, Khun Boonchu Rojanastien – I had very limited knowledge in the hospitality world having come from a marketing and advertising  background but I got to realise that both did value my attitude, personality, and drive over my lack  of experience in the industry.

This encounter shaped my life as it is today – after spending 4 years running the sales and marketing team at Chiva-Som, it was time to join once again my soon to be husband in Singapore where he had taken a position at the Raffles Hotel (also where we finally got married). This move sparked a suggestion from Chiva-Som to become their representative in Asia, my entrepreneurial spirit awakened and this is how Heavens Portfolio started.  

I have learned valuable lessons along the way – one which was that one thing leads to another if you put the right energy in what you do. If you keep pushing forward, the people you meet and the experiences you have will change the course of your life in unexpected ways. It’s essential to stay grounded, work hard and be open minded to collaboration. Collaboration is key. Sometimes we get caught up working in silos, but there are countless ways to combine strengths and achieve incredible results together.

What challenges did you face in establishing Heavens Portfolio as a leader in such a competitive  industry, especially in its early stages?  

When I first started my business, few people understood the concept. Traditional PR agencies were common, but what I was offering was entirely different – something that hadn’t been done before, at least not in the way I envisioned it. This was 20 years ago, and at the time, there wasn’t a one stop shop that combined all the services I wanted to provide: sales, marketing, PR, and eventually,  social media. I aimed to create a company that could deliver the right visibility to the right audience and help brands grow their market share. 

It was challenging to explain what we were doing because people often questioned whether we  were a PR agency or the hotel team itself, asking, “What do you actually do?” Articulating the full  scope of our business model was difficult because it was so new and unique. We cover all areas  necessary for a brand to succeed in Asian markets, with all the sensitivities these markets entail.  Our services ranged from supporting and educating travel agents about our hotels, building PR  strategies, curating events for end consumers, to partnering with like-minded brands. 

Financially, it was tough in the beginning. To make my vision a reality, I needed expertise in more  than one market and had to focus on growing our portfolio. Every penny we made, every retainer  and fee we received, was reinvested into hiring the right people. I believed in building a strong team  from the start, even if that meant I couldn’t pay myself. For about three years, I didn’t draw a salary  and relied heavily on my husband’s support to get by. 

It wasn’t easy, and there were times when I wondered if it was all worth it, but I knew I was on  the right path. Eventually, the hard  work started to pay off, and revenue began to flow. That’s when I expanded our team outside of Singapore and hired in new markets like India and China. In both markets our General managers have been with us for 17 and 14 years respectively; they grew the business alongside me. We expanded organically, adding more markets as our portfolio of destinations grew.

Before long, we had established operations in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Being an entrepreneur also means taking  risks and making bold decisions. For example, I retained 99% of my team during the most challenging times of the COVID pandemic and even hired new staff as we opened our Korea office while the pandemic was still ongoing, and in Japan just after. We have now established ourselves across Asia with bases in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan Region, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines.  

This year we acquired The Travel Portfolio, joining forces with a like minded woman who had  founded the company over 23 years ago. We are expanding our reach beyond Asia, this is our first  office outside of Asia and our entry into the Gulf market. The agency rebranded as The Travel Portfolio, and like Heavens Portfolio, offers full-service representation to global luxury travel brands  seeking to establish a presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

As I write these words, we’re also in the process of opening our office in the French-speaking  market out of Switzerland, and we’re very excited about Australia, which is next in line. 

Looking back, those early years were tough, but they were also crucial in shaping the company into  what it is today. It taught me the importance of resilience, innovation, investing in the right talents  and believing in your vision, even when others don’t quite understand it. 

Is this the career path that you envisioned for yourself, or do you wish you were doing something  else?  

This is absolutely the career path I envisioned for myself. From a young age, I always knew I wanted to do something dynamic and impactful, and I feel so fortunate to have found my calling. I am  genuinely happy with the life I’ve built and the work I do every day. I wouldn’t change a thing about  my journey, even with all the challenges and sleepless nights. 

If I had to do it all over again, I would choose this path a thousand times over. The passion I have  for my work, the people I’ve met, and the experiences I’ve had have been incredibly rewarding. I  truly believe I am exactly where I’m meant to be, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Would you say that your life is primarily career-oriented?  

Resolutely yes, my life is very much career-oriented. I’ve always been driven by results, and my  passion for what I do plays a big role in achieving my goals- I do dedicate a significant amount of  time and energy to my work. I thrive on the challenges, the growth, and the constant evolution that  come with being an entrepreneur. My career has always been a major focus, and it’s something I’m  deeply committed to. 

However, becoming a mother has brought a different perspective to my life. It keeps me grounded and mindful, reminding me to take a step back and reflect on what’s truly important. My daughter helps me see the bigger picture, and she brings balance to my life. While my career is a huge part  of who I am, being a mother allows me to reconnect with the simpler joys and remember that not  everything is about work. 

Having her in my life means I have to be present in the moment, and that presence helps me to  recharge and refocus. She reminds me that while ambition and hard work are important, so are  love, family, and those little moments that make life truly meaningful. So, yes, my life is very career oriented, but I’m also constantly learning to balance it with the things that truly matter. 

As someone with over two decades of experience working in Asia, how do you stay adaptable and  innovative in such a dynamic market?  

For me, it’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people. I thrive on being around those who  inspire and challenge me, who push me to think differently and see things from new perspectives.  I cannot stand being at a standstill; stagnation is my worst enemy. I want to challenge the status  quo and constantly push boundaries, whether in my personal life or my career. I am lucky in a way  that my husband is the same in many ways and we share this desire – this deep desire to discover new things, explore new ideas, and see the world. There’s so much out there to learn and  experience, and I don’t want to waste a single minute. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, to  meet someone new, to learn something unexpected, or to see a place I’ve never been before. 

I have a strong awareness that time is limited. Life is too short to stay in one place or to settle for  what’s already known and comfortable. I want to live with curiosity and passion, always looking  forward, always ready for the next adventure. That’s why I surround myself with people who share  this mindset, who are eager to explore, innovate, and challenge themselves. Together, we keep  each other moving forward, never wasting a moment, always aiming for something greater. Hopefully, like my grandma, I can live up to 103 to do all I have to do!

If you could tell your younger or future self something, what would you say? What challenges have  you faced in pursuing your career?  

Taking time to evaluate and re-evaluate situations rather than making impulsive decisions based  on emotions can lead to better outcomes. Consider all aspects and implications before acting. This  thoughtful approach helps in making more informed and balanced decisions and often salvage relationships and bring them to the next level. Always follow your instincts: Do not worry, in the end everything fall into place. 

Prioritising self-care is essential for maintaining overall well-being. Keep listening to your body—it’s often good at signalling when something isn’t quite right. Pay attention to these signals and respond  appropriately. It’s important to rest rather than pushing through! Slow down when you need it!  Additionally, approach your health with mindfulness—incorporate more meditation into your  routine to nurture both your body and mind. 

Do more for the world, for the environment and communities. No one can ever do enough for  these!

And on a light-hearted note, don’t delay in pursuing important life goals like having a child! I am so looking forward to seeing the next generation of Angel babies (I often call my team angels). 

The biggest challenge in pursuing my career has been time management. However, when you  master it—if you can—it brings a unique and unparalleled sense of achievement.

Anything else you would like us to know? 

Being mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact is crucial. While it’s a period many of us would  rather not revisit, it presented an opportunity to rethink our priorities. During that time, I worked with  our regional teams across Heavens Portfolio to focus more on community-driven initiatives and  sustainability. It was a chance to align our efforts with broader goals of social responsibility, ensuring  that we contribute positively to our communities and the environment. 

We established our Community Care pillars and community outreach initiatives, and those of our  clients, aiming to bolster communities in the destinations to which we travel and to aid organisations  trying to forge a better world. Conservation, education, cultural awareness, and sustainability are core  to the Heavens Portfolio philosophy, and to those of our clients, and we encourage travellers and  partners to collaborate with us on these worthy endeavours. We are supporting organisations all across  Asia focused on empowerment and education for women and children. 

I also draw a lot of inspiration from my daughter, who is deeply committed to sustainability. She often  reminds us of the importance of doing our part, especially when it comes to reducing our carbon  footprint. Acknowledging that travel isn’t always the most sustainable option, we’ve made efforts to  offset our impact where possible, aiming to minimise our environmental footprint while still engaging  in meaningful activities. 

My passion for contributing to community and sustainability efforts also stems from my father. He has  always been a source of inspiration, and in honour of his influence, I have a vision to start a school. This  school would be dedicated to providing young girls the opportunity to learn my trade, empowering  them with skills and knowledge that can open doors to their futures. Even if I’m unable to start a school  myself, I am determined to support or contribute to an existing one. It’s about giving back and ensuring that the next generation, especially young girls, has the chance to thrive and succeed.