Meet Vanessa Espinoza

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vanessa Espinoza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vanessa below.

Vanessa, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?

Keeping VÄES Boutiques standing strong has been possible thanks to one thing — my determination to make my dream come true. I’ve never wanted to be just another one in the crowd. Dreams don’t happen overnight; they take discipline, long hours, sleepless nights, and endless effort poured into every little detail of each location.

In just a year and a half, having 17 locations across the United States — as a Latina, Venezuelan, and American — has taught me that discipline isn’t optional, it’s part of who I am. This small family business not only supports us financially, but it also fills our lives with purpose and pride.

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?

Everything started with the dream of having my own business. I took several courses to learn how to make jewelry and accessories by hand, and little by little, I began selling at street fairs, pop-up markets, and craft shows.

Just two months before my baby was born, the opportunity to open my first store finally came — something I had dreamed of for years. At that time, I was working a full-time job and also doing marketing for other companies, so the idea of having a physical store felt almost impossible. But with the help and support of my husband, we made it happen. I still remember being heavily pregnant, holding a paint roller in one hand, getting the walls ready for that very first dream to begin.

Things started moving fast. Thanks to consistency, teamwork, and knowing exactly where we wanted to go, that first store — which opened on April 15 — quickly became the foundation for more. By the end of that same year, we already had three locations in three different states: Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina.

Even with a full-time job, a newborn baby, and a million responsibilities, I never stopped. The goal was clear: to offer every customer high-quality, handmade pieces designed with love and purpose. We don’t sell expensive products — our goal has always been to create affordable pieces made with great materials and attention to detail, so every dollar a customer spends feels worth it.

We also stand behind our products — if something breaks, we replace it with a brand-new one. That trust and connection with our customers mean everything to us.

Another special part of our business is personalization. Clients can reach out directly to me to create something unique and special, and within days, they can have it at home. We also offer free shipping across the United States, making it even easier to shop with us.

Step by step, we’ve built this dream — and our next goal is to grow even more in the digital world, reaching more people who value handmade work, quality, and heart in every piece.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have made the biggest impact in our journey at VÄES Boutiques are consistency, adaptability, and customer connection.

Consistency has been the foundation of everything — from creating quality handmade pieces to showing up every single day, even when things get hard. Success doesn’t come overnight; it’s built on small, constant steps forward.

Adaptability has allowed us to grow from selling at local craft shows to managing multiple physical locations across the U.S. The market changes fast, and being willing to learn, evolve, and try new things — especially in digital marketing and online sales — has been key.

Finally, customer connection is at the heart of our brand. We don’t just sell accessories — we create meaningful pieces that people connect with. Listening to our customers, understanding what they love, and giving them personalized attention has helped us build trust and long-lasting relationships.

Our advice for anyone starting their journey is:
Be patient, stay consistent, and never stop learning. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment to start — begin with what you have, believe in your idea, and let your passion guide you. Growth takes time, but every step counts toward making your dream a reality.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Without a doubt, the person who has been most helpful throughout this journey is my husband. From day one, he believed in my dream even when it seemed impossible. His constant support — from helping set up our first store just weeks before our baby was born, to managing daily challenges and celebrating every small victory — has been the backbone of this business.

He’s taught me the power of teamwork, patience, and resilience. There were moments when I felt exhausted or unsure, and he reminded me why I started. VÄES Boutiques was built with love and family effort, and having someone who shares that same vision has made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vaesboutiques.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaesboutiques?igsh=YmxyaDJtcXhzdXE5&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Rpqkdpyn1/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: Whastapp (305)438-6772

Image Credits

Myself