Meet Mayra Revelo

We were lucky to catch up with Mayra Revelo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mayra , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience stems from the numerous challenges and adversities I’ve faced throughout my life. Failure, heartbreak, traumas, and disappointments have all played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. They have made me stronger and more prepared to handle whatever life throws at me.

Growing up without the support and love of my parents was incredibly difficult. They were teenagers when they had me, so I was raised by my grandmother. Although she was loving and caring, she worked long hours to support me, and I often felt the emptiness of not having my parents around. This sense of abandonment carried into my own relationships and marriage. I was constantly afraid that my ex-husband would leave me alone with the kids, and I fought hard to keep my “perfect family” together. Despite my efforts, he left anyway. It was then that I learned people come into your life for a purpose, to teach you something, and when their time is up, it’s time for the next life lesson. Understanding this was a turning point for me, helping me become resilient.

Being a mother has also given me new perspectives. I’ve been able to let go of the pain and forgive my parents, even though we don’t have a current relationship due to their toxicity. I no longer blame them for their actions. Experiencing sexual abuse at an early age was painful and traumatizing, as well as being a victim of domestic violence throughout my marriage, but I have managed to forgive each person that caused me pain. Forgiveness is a fundamental part of who I am. I don’t hold grudges; my heart and soul simply won’t allow it, despite the many disappointments I’ve faced.

Finally, my relationship with God has been a cornerstone of my resilience. It has given me strength and is helping me restructure my life today. Many might find it hard to believe, but my faith has played a crucial role in making me the resilient person I am.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Mayra, and I am a 36-year-old mother of three children. I am originally from Ecuador, where I was born and raised. At the age of 16, I moved permanently to the United States, a decision imposed by my mother. The drastic change in culture and language was challenging, but my intrinsic curiosity and eagerness to learn new things helped me master English quickly. Throughout my life, I have always set goals and plans for myself. My initial dream was to graduate from college and become the CEO of a large fashion company in NYC, fueled by my love for clothes, textures, and colors. This passion led me to major in Fashion Marketing.

However, my journey took a different turn during my senior year in high school when I became pregnant with my oldest son. At that time, I had many plans, including enlisting in the military, but life had other ideas. To support my child, I first attended a trade school to become a massage therapist. Despite graduating, I knew I was destined for more, prompting me to pursue a bachelor’s degree. In 2012, I graduated from Berkeley College and worked in the fashion industry for a year. However, the stress of being a young mother and commuting to NY took a toll on both me and my son. Subsequently, I transitioned to banking and finance before joining my then-husband in his trucking business in 2014, where we built a successful enterprise.

While I was committed to our business, I believed in financial independence for women. This belief led me to start an event planning business from scratch. Initially, I sold paper flowers on Facebook Marketplace, but soon I was planning and decorating large events of up to 200 guests, including weddings, Sweet 16s, baby showers, and birthdays. My company, formerly known as L’amour Designs and now Bellissimi Designs, became a one-stop shop where clients could rely on me for everything from event design to rentals, flowers, balloons, cakes, and sweets. I have been fortunate to collaborate with amazing vendors, including florists, balloons artists, bakers, DJs, photographers, and venue owners, all of whom have contributed to my journey as an event planner.

In the past two years, just as my event planning business was thriving, life presented new challenges. My marriage crumbled, and my life fell apart. I had a newborn, filed for divorce, and my oldest child was struggling with depression. With no steady income and my company facing silence, my resilience was tested. I started working for a real estate company, obtained my real estate license, and became a property manager and leasing agent, a role I now perform full-time and love. I still indulge my creative side by designing the remodeling of homes, apartments, commercial spaces, and buildings. I oversee maintenance, manage tenant and landlord relations, and handle everything from simple repairs to large projects.

My passion for event design remains strong. All the designs on my Instagram page are original creations from my mind, and neither my team nor my clients know the final result until the day of the event. This uniqueness sets my company apart. I am currently expanding my brand to offer comprehensive packages to my clients. Recently, I opened Gia’s Garden, a dance hall in North Newark, NJ, named in honor of the graciousness of God. We offer a hall rental and decoration packages that include DJ services, photography, and photo booths. I plan to host various events at this location to showcase its versatility beyond just birthday parties.

Looking ahead, I am excited about upcoming projects, including hosting a fashion show in collaboration with The Dream Boutique in Harrison, NJ, and exploring the possibility of offering Drag Queen Shows on Sundays. Meeting the right people throughout my career has placed me in the right places, and I am enthusiastic about what the future holds. This is just the beginning of my journey as a “momtrepreneur.”

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Resilience: Life has thrown many challenges my way, from childhood traumas to becoming a single mother. Resilience has been crucial in helping me bounce back from setbacks and continue moving forward. This quality has allowed me to face adversity head-on and grow stronger with each experience.

Adaptability: Moving to a new country as a teenager and navigating significant life changes required a high degree of adaptability. Embracing new environments, learning new skills, and being open to change have all played a significant role in my personal and professional growth.

Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing my emotions, as well as empathizing with others, has been incredibly important. Emotional intelligence has helped me build stronger relationships, both personally and professionally, and has been key in overcoming my past traumas and building a healthier, more fulfilling life.

My advice for young entrepreneurs is described below:

Developing Resilience: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Understand that failure and setbacks are a part of life, and use them as stepping stones to build your strength. Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t be afraid to seek help when you need it. Practicing self-care and maintaining a positive mindset are also essential in building resilience.

Improving Adaptability: Be open to change and willing to step out of your comfort zone. The more you expose yourself to new experiences, the more adaptable you become. Continuously seek to learn and grow, whether through formal education, on-the-job training, or personal hobbies. Flexibility and a willingness to adjust your plans will serve you well in both your personal and professional life.

Enhancing Emotional Intelligence: Take the time to understand your emotions and the emotions of others. Practice active listening and empathy in your interactions. Reflect on your experiences and learn from them to improve your emotional responses. Building strong, healthy relationships with open communication will help you develop greater emotional intelligence over time.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to love myself, set boundaries, and accept myself with all my flaws. For a long time, I was caught in a cycle of trying to please others and forcing them to love me, never understanding why I felt I was never enough.

I realized that my childhood traumas had a significant impact on my self-esteem, leading me down a toxic path of self-destruction. The journey of becoming a single mother and going through a divorce, while incredibly challenging, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It forced me to confront my issues head-on and helped me understand what true love is.

This period of introspection and self-discovery has been transformative. I now know that love starts from within, and by loving and accepting myself, I can be a better mother, friend, and individual. This newfound self-love and acceptance have given me the strength and clarity to build healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: bellissimi_designsnj, mayratherealtor.nj, Gias_garden_nj
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ mayrarevelo

Image Credits

Photo Paige
Bellissimi Designs
Le Destination Photography