We recently connected with Vanessa Farino and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa , thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
Being unexpectedly laid off last spring in 2023 was one of the most challenging moments in my journey. At the time, I was carefully crafting an exit strategy to transition into my business full-time within the next 1.5 years, all while supporting my mom in purchasing a home—a milestone that meant everything to us as a first-generation Latina family. It felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me, and the pressure to navigate these major life changes was overwhelming.
But I’ve always believed that life happens for us, not to us. While I didn’t feel ready in that moment, I trusted that the universe was telling me, it’s now or never. That mindset allowed me to embrace the opportunity hidden in the challenge. The very next day, I joined a mentorship program that became my anchor. It provided me with accountability, a supportive community, and the space to be vulnerable while also equipping me with new skill sets to grow both personally and professionally.
This experience didn’t just make me stronger; it deepened my compassion and empathy, especially when it comes to hiring and supporting others. It taught me invaluable lessons about how I want to run and operate my business—with integrity, transparency, and a human-first approach. Everything is a teachable moment, and I leaned into those lessons to shape the entrepreneur and leader I am today.
Looking back, that layoff was a pivotal turning point. It forced me to bet on myself sooner than I had planned, but in doing so, I discovered resilience I didn’t know I had. Today, I lead with a deeper sense of purpose and a commitment to helping others navigate their own pivots with courage and confidence.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the Founder of Creative CEO, a platform dedicated to empowering ambitious women entrepreneurs—especially first-generation women of color—to build purpose-driven businesses rooted in authenticity, leadership, and sustainable success. After spending over 15 years in the corporate and startup world, I realized that my deepest purpose was to create spaces where women could rewrite the rules of business, claim their power, and build wealth on their terms.
At Creative CEO, we redefine what it means to be a businesswoman. Our work is centered around helping women unlock their leadership potential while building businesses that align with their values, energy, and long-term goals. We focus on human-first business strategies because entrepreneurship isn’t just about numbers or scaling—it’s about who you become in the process. We teach women how to own their expertise, master their marketing, and build wealth while staying true to themselves.
A guiding belief in my work is this: “Female entrepreneurship is an act of economic liberation. When women control their wealth, they control their future.” At Creative CEO, we don’t just help women launch businesses—we teach them how to become CEOs of their lives and legacies. We’re committed to making sure women—especially those historically excluded from wealth-building spaces—have the strategies, tools, and confidence they need to thrive in business and beyond.
In addition to mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, I also work with celebrity entrepreneurs, public figures, and high-profile leaders to refine their personal brands and amplify their impact. Whether it’s reshaping their digital presence, developing marketing strategies, or crafting powerful launch campaigns, I help leaders expand their influence while staying aligned with their core values. It’s about building businesses and brands that are not only profitable but also deeply purposeful.
This year has been especially exciting as we expanded Creative CEO’s impact through our CEO Membership—a powerful, year-round program designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the business skills, marketing strategies, and leadership development they need to become self-made businesswomen. The membership includes expert-led masterclasses, personalized business planning, direct mentorship, and marketing strategies that prioritize energy alignment and long-term success. It’s all about helping women become the CEOs of their own futures with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Looking ahead, 2025 will be a year of expansion and connection. We’re preparing for three major initiatives:
The PWR of WMN Summit this March in Miami—a transformational experience connecting ambitious women across industries through game-changing talks, interactive workshops, and powerful networking designed to elevate their leadership and expand their businesses.
The Offline Creativa Retreat in Puerto Rico next fall—a 4-day, 3-night immersive retreat where entrepreneurs will deepen their leadership skills through personal alignment practices like human design and astrology. Attendees will learn how to leverage their unique strengths, overcome challenges with confidence, and make empowered business and life decisions.
The City Ambassadors Program launching in 2025—a nationwide initiative designed to expand Creative CEO’s presence through community-driven leadership. Our City Ambassadors will represent the Creative CEO brand while hosting live events, workshops, and networking experiences in their cities. This program will allow us to scale our mission of empowering women entrepreneurs by fostering deeper local connections and creating more opportunities for women to rise together.
Our community is already thriving in cities like Boston, New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, but I’m especially excited about how the City Ambassadors program will create even more opportunities for women entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and rise together. Through our events, membership programs, and personalized consulting services, we’ve helped over 100 women-owned businesses launch, grow, or scale—and we’re just getting started.
At the heart of my work is this belief: Every challenge is an opportunity. Every pivot is a chance to rise. Whether through our membership programs, events, private consulting, or collaborations with established leaders, my mission remains clear—to help women entrepreneurs and visionaries transform their ideas into thriving businesses while building wealth, freedom, and legacies on their own terms.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three key areas have profoundly shaped my journey: regulating my nervous system, understanding the numbers, and failing forward. These weren’t easy lessons to learn, but they’ve made me a stronger, more intentional entrepreneur.
Regulate Your Nervous System: I can’t stress this enough—building a business will push you out of your comfort zone in ways you can’t predict. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed by anxiety, questioning every move I made. Learning how to regulate my nervous system became my anchor. When your body feels safe, your mind can think clearly. I leaned into practices like breathwork, journaling, and therapy to process the stress. My advice? Build habits that help you pause and reflect when things feel chaotic. Give yourself permission to slow down—your best ideas don’t come when you’re running on fumes.
Understand Your Numbers—It’s Only Data: I used to avoid looking at my numbers because I tied them to my self-worth. Was I doing enough? Was I failing? But I realized that numbers are neutral—they don’t define me; they guide me. Understanding your revenue, expenses, and even your losses is empowering. For those starting out, start small. Track one metric consistently, and ask yourself, “What is this telling me?” Numbers are feedback, not judgment. Shift your mindset to see them as a tool, not a threat.
Fail Forward—Learn to Fail: I’ve failed more times than I can count—launches that flopped, clients I couldn’t close, ideas that never took off. It’s hard to sit with failure, but it’s where the deepest growth happens. I’ve learned to ask myself, “What can I take away from this?” instead of spiraling into shame. For anyone starting out, remember that failure is a constant companion in entrepreneurship, but it’s not your enemy. Get used to it, talk about it, and use it to build resilience. You’ll be amazed at how those lessons show up later in your journey.
Advice for early-stage entrepreneurs:
Take One Step at a Time: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Focus on the next right step, even if it feels small.
Talk to Someone You Trust: Entrepreneurship can feel isolating. Find a mentor, a friend, or a community that supports you through the ups and downs.
Be Honest About the Hard Parts: You don’t have to pretend it’s easy or perfect. There’s strength in being vulnerable—it builds deeper connections and reminds you that you’re not alone.
The journey is messy, unpredictable, and at times deeply uncomfortable. But it’s also the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do if you give yourself the space to grow into it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! We are actively seeking partnerships and sponsorships for the PWR of WMN Summit, our multi-city event that has become a cornerstone for women entrepreneurs and leaders. In 2025, we’re also thrilled to bring our “Out of Office” transformational experiences to other cities like New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.
This summit particularly is truly unique. Unlike traditional events that focus on broad motivational themes, the PWR of WMN Summit delivers actionable insights attendees can implement the same day. It’s not just about inspiration—it’s about transformation. From mastering digital marketing to enhancing leadership skills and crafting actionable business strategies, the summit equips attendees with tools to take immediate, impactful steps toward their goals.
This event has a track record of selling out weeks in advance, and for the past five years, we’ve proudly bootstrapped it to provide a high-value experience. Now, we’re ready to take it to the next level with the support of aligned partners who share our vision for empowering women.
We’re specifically looking to collaborate with companies in wellness, technology, food and beverage, and more—brands that want to get in front of an audience of forward-thinking, ambitious women who are shaping the future of business and leadership. This is an incredible opportunity for companies to align with a community of decision-makers who value authenticity, innovation, and purpose-driven success.
We’re proud that the PWR of WMN Summit isn’t just an event; it’s a movement. By partnering with us, you’ll have the chance to contribute to an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact on every attendee while also positioning your brand as a champion of women’s empowerment and growth.
If this speaks to you and your company, let’s connect! For partnership opportunities, please email me at vanessa@vanessafarino.com. I’d love to explore how we can create something extraordinary together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hellocreativeceo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joincreativeceo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/creativeceo/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kmhqQgjC4cReA6rD5AYjV?si=940e46c020d84cb9
Image Credits
Andres Calderon
Larisel Castillo
Lorena Roque
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
