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"Nely's track record for innovation and entertaining television, particularly in Spanish-language television, knows no peers," Spivak says today. "When in her element, she really shines." He went on to say that "she is a tireless producer and a promoter...given her focus on the Latino market, it is to her credit that she is extremely well known and generally well liked within the television industry." Certain critics point out that Nely Galan is perhaps more marketing than substance, but Spivak begs to differ, saying, "I think her substantive achievements stand on their own as a significant success. With experience, the substance of Nely's success is growing even stronger. Nely may be more PR-oriented than some, but that does not detract from the fact that she is a genuinely intelligent, creative and successful entrepreneur."

Even the highly perceptive Mr. Spivak may not know just how spot-on he is! Can you say: Latina Martha Stewart? Oh yes. The Swan line is about to invade the world. We're talking a magazine, books, audio, video, cosmetics, fashion, the list goes on and on--a marketing bonanza. Did I mention a daily daytime version of "The Swan" so the audience can really get into the nitty-gritty of the transformations? That too. And let's not forget to mention "Ms. Mogul." This is Nely Galan's next reality show (Lifetime Television in the U.S.; to be announced in the U.K.) that will feature 15 small businesswomen competing to transform their new business ideas into reality by winning a startup fund of up to one-million dollars. Each woman will have a media mogul mentor in her respective field to help her along the way. "It's the ultimate women-empowerment show, showing how to be the ruler of your own destiny and to really have it all without being a victim," Galan said.

Like destiny, Nely Galan cannot be denied. She's a hard worker who got her priorities straight in a rather unplanned way. "I don't let ego make my decisions," she said, "Ego doesn't get you anywhere. Your life isn't any happier because you have that title."

I met her in Venice, California, in her spacious two-story Galan Entertainment headquarters. It could easily double for a warehouse and manufacturing plant. The place is huge if not the typical Hollywood setup. "I want to live and work where I am happiest and I love this place," she said. She not only owns "this place" but also the place across the street, a house three blocks away and assorted commercial and residential rental properties. "If you're gonna go into show business, you better have &!%$-you money first!" Yet more evidence of our separation at birth. "I am a real estate developer/owner first and being an entertainment industry executive is my hobby," Galan said, not in the least bit tongue-in-cheek. Not a bad hobby for someone who was offered exactly three posts as president of three different networks last week alone. "I won't even take a meeting," she said. "I know there are people who think that this is what I want or that I want to run a studio, but that's just not true," she states adamantly. "Listen, when I headed up Telemundo, I had seven breast lumps...your quality of life sucks."

Galan said that with the high demands, you stop taking care of yourself and end up in convenient relationships instead of ones that are right for you. It was just such a situation that found her unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 35 while at Telemundo. Immediately, she took stock of her situation and reprioritized her life. First, she dumped the boyfriend (comedian/entertainer Paul Rodriguez), then she left her prestigious job, had the baby ("the best thing that ever happened to me") and went on an intense two-year inward psychological and spiritual journey.

"I'm not a wacky Latina," she says, "I'm actually very Germanic as I'm laser focused and disciplined. I'm very decisive...it takes me a while to figure things out, but once I do--I act!" Upon reflection, she comments, "You know, there's nothing lucky about making your life what you want it to be--nothing. I really believe in the power of manifesting. I finally figured out how to manifest...for the longest time I did not realize the power of the brain and the power of the soul. I was like a rat on a treadmill--just working, working, working."

To use an old cliche, Nely Galan is now working smarter not harder. At the age of 41, she's accomplished more than most dare to dream about. Yet, there is so much more to do, she insists. "I'm like a computer," she says. "I put a ton of information in my head and then I wait to see what surfaces...if it grabs me, I'm off to the races. I just SEE it!"
At the pace she's going, the next place we'll see Nely Galan is the Forbes list. I wonder which of the boys she'll bump off...?

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Nely Galan is Hollywood's most successful Latino television producer and executive--ever. Her phenomenal success in the "crossover" Anglo market is about to make her a household name--everywhere. Her new book, "The Swan Curriculum" (Regan Books) is available on Amazon.com.

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