Not Goodbye, See You Later

THE JOURNAL

It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later

Our content queen is off on a new adventure.

A Note from the Team at Gathered Collab:

Well, it’s official. Our queen of content, customer chats, and chaos is off to take London by storm and we’re somewhere between crying into our coffee and cheering her on like proud stage moms.

Bella has been the face, the voice, and often the comedian of Gathered Collab for the past couple of years. She’s brought absolute magic to our store. Whether she was creating content, giving Oscar-worthy performances in our reels, or helping you find the perfect outfit while casually solving your life crisis in the fitting room. She’s more than just beautiful (though seriously, she should be a model and an actress - casting directors, call us, the mommy’s take 30%). She’s wickedly funny, endlessly kind, occasionally savage, and we are going to miss her so much - as will our community.

Being part of someone’s personal growth journey is one of the greatest privileges we have. We’re passionate about supporting our team to grow, dream big, and follow the path that lights them up, even when it takes them far from home. Bella will always be a Gathered girl, no matter where in the world she lands. So here’s to you, Bella, our forever girl. London has no idea what’s coming. We love you.

Kelly, Hayley and Tracey xx

Bella's Journal

In 2021, I packed up my life in Auckland and moved to the Coromandel. Not because it was easy, not because the timing was perfect (it was peak Covid, after all), but because something in me knew it was time.

Like many of us during those uncertain years, I felt the ground shift beneath me. Everything familiar started to feel foreign. And yet, within all the chaos, a quiet voice kept whispering: Begin again.

So I did. With very little idea of what was next, I started a cleaning business. Something far from glamorous, but it was mine. For two years, I poured myself into that work. It taught me resilience, humility, and how to show up even when things felt hard or uncertain. But over time, that quiet nudge returned. A sense that I was meant to do something more creative, more expressive, more aligned with who I really was.

That’s when Gathered Collab came into my life.

What started as a retail job quickly became something so much deeper. I found myself both behind and in front of the camera. Curating content, styling beautiful pieces, and sharing stories. At first, I was scared to put myself out there. The fear of being seen, judged, and misunderstood was very real. But I did it anyway. And in doing so, I slowly began to rediscover my confidence. It came with a touch of angst, but for the first time in a long time, I felt truly seen. Not just by others, but by myself.

I didn’t know how much I needed that space. The people, the energy, the encouragement. Gathered gave me a home to explore, create, and reconnect with my own voice. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

Now, in another unexpected twist, I’ve been offered a temporary role in London. A four-month opportunity that felt too aligned to ignore. So, with a full heart and shaky hands, I’ve decided to leave Gathered and follow the call of the unknown once again.

Transitions like this are never easy. Saying goodbye to a chapter that shaped you is always tender. But I trust the timing, and more importantly, I trust myself.

To anyone navigating change, starting over, or searching for something that feels like you again, this is your reminder: nothing is ever wasted. Every step, every season, every pivot brings you closer to where you’re meant to be.

Embrace the change. Don’t let the fear of what others might think hold you back. If we can be anything in this world, let it be kind, boldly, and beautifully ourselves.

Here’s to honouring the detours, following the sparks and being brave enough to begin again, again and again.

With love always,

Bella xx