Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Espinoza.
Hi Vanessa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
VÄES was born from a dream, a leap of faith, and a lot of determination.
Before opening my first boutique, I spent countless weekends selling at craft fairs, local markets, pop-up events, and anywhere I had the opportunity to showcase my jewelry. Every event helped me build my brand, connect with customers, and believe that my dream could become something much bigger.
I opened my very first location at Painted Tree when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter. Many people thought it was crazy to start a business so close to giving birth, but I believed in my vision and was willing to work for it.
Little by little, that one small boutique grew beyond anything I had imagined. Through countless hours of hard work, sacrifice, and the support of my family, VÄES expanded to 17 locations across the United States. It was an incredible journey that showed me what persistence and passion could accomplish.
Then, everything changed. Painted Tree filed for bankruptcy, and overnight we lost the business we had spent years building. It was one of the hardest moments of our lives, but we refused to let it define us.
Instead of giving up, we started over.
Today, thanks to the unwavering support of my husband, the daily dedication of my mom and me, and our faith that better days were ahead, VÄES is growing once again. Every order, every customer, and every new opportunity reminds us why we never quit.
Our story isn’t just about jewelry—it’s about resilience. It’s about rebuilding after loss, believing in yourself even when everything falls apart, and proving that with hard work and determination, you can always start again.
This is only the beginning of our next chapter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Like most small businesses, our journey has been full of challenges.
One of the biggest obstacles came when Painted Tree filed for bankruptcy. After years of hard work building VÄES to 17 locations across the United States, we suddenly lost the business we had worked so hard to grow. It was heartbreaking and forced us to start over from scratch.
There were also the everyday challenges of being a small business owner—long hours, financial risks, balancing work with motherhood, and learning how to grow while adapting to constant change.
But every setback taught us something valuable. Instead of giving up, we chose to rebuild. Today, we’re stronger, more experienced, and more grateful than ever. Those challenges shaped who we are and remind us that resilience is one of our greatest strengths.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At VÄES, we create high-quality, handcrafted jewelry, personalized gifts, and custom stickers designed to help people celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. We specialize in 18K gold-plated, nickel-free jewelry, personalized pieces, faith-inspired collections, and custom products that combine elegance, creativity, and everyday practicality.
We’re also expanding into a new line of apparel featuring meaningful messages about faith, family, love, and encouragement—designs created to inspire and remind people of what truly matters.
What I’m most proud of is that VÄES was built from the ground up. What started as selling at local markets eventually grew into 17 locations across the United States. Even after losing everything because of our retailer’s bankruptcy, we found the strength to rebuild and continue doing what we love.
I believe what sets us apart is the heart behind our brand. Every piece, sticker, and design is created with intention, attention to detail, and a purpose. More importantly, we genuinely care about our customers and the stories behind every purchase—whether it’s a personalized gift, a meaningful keepsake, a custom sticker, or a shirt with a message that inspires faith, celebrates family, or brings encouragement.
For us, VÄES is more than a brand. It’s a story of resilience, family, creativity, and never giving up. We hope every product we create becomes a meaningful part of our customers’ lives and reminds them of what matters most.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to support and collaborate with VÄES.
The best way is by shopping our collections and sharing our brand with family and friends. Every purchase directly supports our small, family-owned business and allows us to continue creating meaningful products.
We also love collaborating with content creators, influencers, photographers, boutiques, and businesses that share our values of faith, family, and community. Whether it’s through product collaborations, custom designs, personalized gifts, branded merchandise, or special events, we’re always excited to create something unique together.
As we continue to grow, we’re expanding our collections with personalized jewelry, custom stickers, and apparel featuring inspiring messages about faith, family, and everyday life. We’re always open to new ideas and partnerships that help us spread positivity and create products that truly connect with people.
Most importantly, simply following our journey, engaging with our content, and recommending VÄES to others means more to us than you know. Every share, comment, and word-of-mouth recommendation helps our family business continue to grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaesboutiques
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HXhNYPUhm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
