Meet Vanessa Pérez, MA | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Pérez, MA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
Like most entrepreneurs, we work longer hours, and usually weekends. I juggle Vanidosa Cosmetics LLC, a full-time job, and a time-intensive personal life. I’ve come to realize, running a business on your own can and will burn you out. I aim at growing a team to liberate myself from wearing all the hats. I desire free time on my hands to focus on new creative endeavors for Vanidosa Cosmetics and for travel time with my family. Vanidosa Cosmetics exist for many reasons and one that has become most prevalent is to gain freedom, I crave a life where I spend more time with family and friends. That’s the plan for myself and the intent for our customers is simple. Through the world of cosmetics, we focus on feelings and experiences. What do our products bring out in our customers and that is confidence. We will create dozens of products that exalt our customer’s confidence. Confidence can and will translate into strength, strength in all areas of their life such as at work, school, and home life. Increased product accessibility also is a major goal of ours. Accessibility enables a higher number of potential users who can purchase our products. We intent to have our product available in beauty salons across the valley, shopping malls, and large retail stores in and outside of our state. Throughout my time as an entrepreneur, I’ve learned plenty of useful information. I am passionate about small business development and would like to continue to serve and help others along their journey in entrepreneurship through teaching classes or starting a nonprofit dedicated specifically to supporting Hispanic small businesses and their expansion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I wanted to start something of my own, I have careless confidence in my own abilities. Subconsciously, I knew I could do something that is considered against the tide. However, I quickly realized the challenges that come along with starting a business as a first-generation business owner. We struggle much more than a next-generation entrepreneur who has guidance from family. First-generation entrepreneurs learn from their own mistakes and avoid making those mistakes again. Luckily, when starting a cosmetics brand sparked my interest a close friend from work suggested I apply for a business accelerator program she had previously completed. I applied, received a call for an interview, and later was invited to join the program. As a first-generation business owner, I could have struggled more than I did. However, with the support of Fuerza Local’s business accelerator program, my journey was a bit more seamless. I attended weekly workshops on marketing, taxes, business plan development, etc., was encouraged to save, and received a scholarship with completion of the program. Juggling the program, full-time work, and a master’s program was definitely not easy, but I imagine I would have made far more mistakes without the knowledge I gained from the business accelerator program.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I most definitely would take them somewhere up north for a couple of days perhaps Sedona, Showlow, or Flagstaff. I would rent a cabin to enjoy Arizona’s nature, the cooler weather, and local restaurants like the Pizza Patio in Flagstaff. We would end our week by coming back down to Phoenix for a Suns and Cardinals games and food afterward at Earth Plant-Based Cuisine and Pizza Heaven. Earth Plant-Based Cuisine has the best “fish” tacos, rice, and “chicken” flautas. Pizza Heaven is also great, everyone I take there loves their pasta and pizza!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has gone above and beyond in every aspect of my small business, gracias mi familia! Our company also wouldn’t have come to flourish without the help of Fuerza Local, huge thank you to their team, specifically to Monica. Lastly, we’d like to recognize our amazing customers, we believe we have the sweetest cliental and our growth is because of them!

Website: vanidosacosmetics.com

Instagram: vanidosacosmetics_

Facebook: Vanidosa Cosmetics

Other: TikTok: vanidosacosmetics