Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Vanessa Whitby of Newport Beach

We recently had the chance to connect with Vanessa Whitby and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Thanks so much for having me! I am excited to chat more about our upcoming book, Mermaid Disco!!

I am most proud of is all the work that happens quietly behind the scenes and the magic of watching an idea turn into something real. From the first spark of inspiration to the final product, I pour myself into every step. Our new children’s book, Mermaid Disco is the perfect example of that. The story follows a little girl who discovers an underwater disco filled with music, friendship, and confidence. It celebrates imagination and encourages kids to shine as their true selves.

The idea came from a moment with my daughter, Harlow Rae. We were driving down PCH in Laguna Beach, watching the sunset, when she looked out at the horizon and said, “Mommy, when the sun sets, it turns into a disco ball and all of the mermaids and sea friends have a party.” From that one line, the world of Mermaid Disco was born. I took that idea and turned it into a full story, carefully working through every detail until it felt complete. Harlow often joins the creative process with her own ideas, and seeing her imagination come to life is one of the most magical parts. Watching her light up when she sees something she dreamed up become real makes all of the behind-the-scenes work worth it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Vanessa Whitby, the founder and creative behind Wild + Rae. I started the brand when my daughter Harlow was little, creating special pieces for her. Over the years it has grown into a children’s lifestyle brand known for its playful designs, signature cowgirl boots that feel like sneakers, and collections that tell a story. I lead everything from the first idea to the final product, and I love bringing big, magical concepts to life in a way that sparks joy for kids and parents alike.

Right now I’m especially excited about Mermaid Disco, our children’s book we’ve been working on for many years. It’s inspired by Harlow’s imagination and celebrates friendship. Seeing that story come to life alongside our collections has been such a full-circle moment for us.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Feeling powerful came later for me. It happened when I became a single mom and started building Wild + Rae. Creating something meaningful for my daughter and seeing it grow into something bigger than I imagined has been the most empowering part of my journey. Watching other little girls light up in Wild + Rae reminds me every day why I started.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have definitely been moments where I almost gave up. Building Wild + Rae while raising my daughter has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life, but it has also pushed me to my limits. There were seasons when production delays piled up, growth felt overwhelming, and I was juggling so many roles on my own that it seemed impossible to keep going.

During those times, I would come back to why I started in the first place. Creating something meaningful and magical for kids has always been at the heart of it. Mermaid Disco is a perfect example. It took four years to bring the book to life. There were moments along the way when I questioned if it would ever actually happen. But each time, I pushed through because I believed in the story and in what we were building.

Seeing the final book in my hands, knowing it came from a spark of imagination and years of dedication, reminded me why I keep going. Those hard moments have shaped me. They made me stronger, more creative, and even more committed to bringing ideas to life.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would probably say that what really matters to me is creating things that make girls feel confident and happy. I love dreaming up ideas and turning them into something real, whether it’s a pair of boots that makes a little girl feel like her best self or a story that takes kids into another world. I pour so much of myself into every detail because I want it to feel special.

That’s exactly how Mermaid Disco came to life. It started as one magical line from Harlow during a sunset drive and slowly grew into a full story that celebrates friendship, imagination, and confidence. My friends see how much heart I put into these projects and how meaningful it is to watch those ideas become something kids can actually hold, wear, or step into.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I built something meaningful that made girls feel confident, seen, and full of imagination. That I created worlds that brought joy and sparked something special in their hearts. Wild + Rae started as something small and personal, but my hope is that it becomes part of childhood memories for many families.

With Mermaid Disco, I wanted to create a story that little girls could step into and feel the magic. It is filled with color, confidence, and friendship. The story reminds girls to shine exactly as they are and to celebrate what makes them unique. My dream is that when they read it, they feel that sparkle inside and carry it with them long after. We are doing a prelaunch on 11/11, and I cannot wait for readers to experience the sparkle for themselves.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
https://jessicalynn-photo.com/jessica

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