Meet Heather Restrepo Walker | Founder of Depwah & Real Estate Developer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Restrepo Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather Restrepo, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
My legacy is rooted in love and healing. I believe unconditional love is the greatest healer and the greatest power in the world. Everything I create—whether it’s a space, a meal, or a moment—is born from that truth.

I want to be remembered for showing people that love can be lived as a daily practice, not just an ideal. For me, love takes the form of beauty, inspiration, joy, peace, and acceptance. It’s in the way I design spaces, the way I serve others, and the way I choose to show up each day. My intention is always to arrive authentically—with love, openness, and understanding—because when I live in that alignment, I have the ability to uplift others and remind them of their own light.

Through challenges, I’ve learned the art of alchemy: transforming grief into joy, pain into healing, darkness into light, and struggle into strength. That gift informs everything I do. I want people to remember that I embodied fearlessness, possibility, and hope—that I was a mirror for others, helping them see their own power, their own worth, and their own capacity to create.

My deepest hope is that people will say I held space for them to feel safe enough to shine. That in my presence, they remembered what it means to live boldly and authentically, to forgive themselves and others, to release fear and doubt, and to step fully into their own power. Because we are all creators of our reality, and when we root ourselves in unconditional love, we become limitless.

If my life and work inspire even one person to live with more courage, to believe in miracles, to choose love over fear, then I will have fulfilled my destiny. I want to be remembered as someone who lived without apology, who embodied the divine feminine with grace and strength, and who reminded others of the magic that exists when we choose to love fully.

That is the legacy I hope to leave: not just restaurants, or spaces, or experiences, but a living example that love is the greatest power we have—and that by embracing it, we can transform the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is rooted in love, intention, and transformation. DEPWAH is more than a restaurant—it is a sanctuary in the making. What will set us apart is the depth of care behind everything we are building. From the design of the space to the way we are sourcing ingredients to the way we envision welcoming each guest—every detail is being crafted with a frequency of love, beauty, and healing. My dream is not just to serve food, but to create experiences that remind people of who they are and invite them back into their wholeness.

I am most proud of the way DEPWAH is designed to hold duality—elegance and soul, refinement and comfort, ritual and release. The cuisine blends French and Vietnamese influences, honoring both my heritage and the romance of French culture, while staying deeply rooted in wellness and mindful sourcing. But more than the menu, what excites me is imagining how people will walk away feeling nourished in ways they didn’t expect—not just in their bodies, but in their hearts.

Getting here has not been easy. Every step of this journey has tested me. Deals have fallen through, doors have closed, and there were moments when it would have been easier to give up. But I’ve learned that every “no” is simply redirection, every challenge a lesson in patience, resilience, and trust. Through these obstacles, I’ve unlocked the art of alchemy: transforming pain into strength, setbacks into opportunity, and fear into faith.

The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that vision requires certainty. You must hold the dream even when no one else can see it yet. You have to believe so fully that others feel compelled to believe, too. For me, that has meant staying grounded in meditation, affirmations, and gratitude—training my mind to see solutions instead of problems, and choosing to lead with grace and love even in the face of hardship.

What I want the world to know about me and about DEPWAH is simple: this is not just a business, it is my calling. My story is one of transformation, resilience, and unconditional love. DEPWAH is being created as a vessel for that love—to inspire, to heal, to nourish, and to remind people of their own limitless power. My hope is that when someone steps into DEPWAH, they feel seen, protected, and cared for—and that they leave carrying a little more light, a little more courage, and a deeper sense of what is possible in their own lives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d begin, of course, with what’s soon to come—DEPWAH. Once our doors open, it will be the heart of any itinerary: soulful Vietnamese–French cuisine elevated with wellness, joy, and ritual. From a quiet morning coffee or tea to a nourishing lunch, from vibrant dinners layered with music to crafted cocktails that invite you to linger—DEPWAH is designed to feel like a sanctuary you’ll never want to leave. Beyond that, Café Monarch has long been one of my favorites for its intimate fine dining and timeless elegance; Uchi is where I go for refined sushi, green tea, and minimalist design; and Francine offers fresh, high-quality flavors with a breezy sophistication. For sunset, nothing compares to the rooftop at the Global Ambassador’s Thea, with its sweeping views and radiant energy. And soon, 40 Love will join the mix—a space of playful sport, music, and fun that I know will quickly become a favorite.

Wellness would be woven throughout the week—spa days at The Phoenician or The Sanctuary, Hot Yoga University or The workshop pilates for an energizing sweat, and a sound bath at Shanti Sound to ground and restore. If the season is right, we’d hike Camelback Mountain or escape to Sedona for the red rocks and soul-stirring views. And depending on the time of year, catching a Phoenix Suns game would be a must—the energy of the arena is electric.

To balance it all, we’d spend time exploring the city’s shopping and design scene: Fashion Square, The Quarter, Misty’s Vintage in Old Town, and luxury furniture showrooms like Molteni, which fuel my love for interiors. Scottsdale is a place of contrasts—luxury and desert simplicity, play and renewal—and I’d want my best friend to leave feeling like they had truly lived, savored, and been inspired here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who have stood beside me, poured love into me, and believed in this vision even when the path wasn’t clear. My grandmother has always been a guiding light, grounding me in resilience and reminding me of the strength of my lineage. My sister Jennifer has been a constant support—both fierce and tender—helping me hold this dream with unwavering faith. And then there are my team members, my true partners, who carry the heart of DEPWAH with me every single day.

I also want to acknowledge the friends in finance and business who have been like my personal Avengers—each bringing their own gifts, wisdom, and encouragement to help me navigate challenges and see new possibilities. Their guidance has been invaluable.

But beyond people, I also give credit to the energy of faith itself—the unwavering belief that everything will work out, even if I don’t always know how. Every “no,” every deal that fell through, every detour—it was never rejection, only redirection toward something greater. That perspective has taught me to stay grounded, to lead with grace instead of frustration, and to hold the dream steady through moments of doubt.

I recommend meditation, affirmations, and consciously training the mind to look for solutions, not problems. The truth is, in order for others to rally behind your vision, you must first embody it yourself. You have to believe so fully in the frequency of your dream that others can feel it, too. When you radiate certainty, love, and abundance, people are naturally drawn to support you—not just because of what you’re building, but because of how you make them feel in the process.

Website: https://Depwah.com

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Personal instagram: heatherrestrepo1

Image Credits
Renderings provided by BuiltInc., photography by Youngvisionfilmz.