In honor of Women's History Month I embarked on tracing back the entrepreneurial roots of the women in my family and found a rich tapestry of courage, resilience, and ingenuity.

The story I traced back began with my great-grandmother who, to support the family, ran a bakery that not only provided daily baked goods but also discreetly sold illegal lottery tickets, all while concealing her activities from her husband, who thought that having a working wife was a dishonor.

Following in her footsteps, my grandmother ventured into creating and selling door-to-door homemade skincare products and later collaborated with her daughter, my mother, to establish a beauty salon right in their family living room. This dynamic duo exemplified creativity and determination in their entrepreneurial endeavors. My mother’s lack of formal education was balanced by her acute business acumen (and necessity) and led her at 9 years old to start selling well water to the itinerant vendors that passed by her house on their way to the village’s weekly market.

My own journey into entrepreneurship started at the age of 14 when I started making and selling custom birthday cakes to my mother's clothing business clientele.

This initial venture didn’t last long but paved the way for a series of diverse businesses, mostly in food, I ventured into before founding Culinary Artistas - from crafting Easter egg confections to running a holistic nutrition practice.

While my entrepreneurial path began similarly to my mother and grand mothers, I was fortunate to have encountered other women further along their business journeys who mentored me, made the right introductions, helped me negotiate contracts early on, and with all that supported me towards transforming my humble beginnings into a thriving million-dollar enterprise at a world-famous location.

The invaluable support and mentorship from trailblazers like Lisa Rogovin, Naama Moran, Hope Abe, Ranjani Mohana, Lizet Zayas have not only propelled my growth but also instilled in me the courage to surpass self-imposed limitations. Moreover, the greatest motivation stems from my daughter Billie Shelby, whom I aspire to inspire as a role model of courage, integrity, and unwavering determination.

In celebrating the legacy of women entrepreneurs in my family, I am reminded of the power of female solidarity, mentorship, and resilience that transcend generations and pave the way for future success stories.

Looking ahead, I am committed to paying forward the generosity I have received by mentoring and empowering young women and men who pass through our program as students and interns. By modeling excellence, providing leadership, and creating opportunities for them, I aim to inspire self-expression, confidence, and healthy choices.

As I strive to make a difference in the lives of those around me, I recognize that each of us has a unique story to tell and a history to honor. By sharing our experiences and celebrating our journeys, we not only preserve our individual legacies but also collectively shape the narrative of our times.  

How are you carving your place in history?  

‍This is an invitation to share your story, celebrate your achievements, and embrace the power of our collective histories.

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Cheers,

Vanessa