Entrepreneurship
How This CEO & Female Founder Started Her Brand, A Founder’s Story with Vetzabe Rivera

Vetzabe Rivera, known as Vee, is a mom, stepmother, wife, realtor, influencer, makeup lover, and proud Puerto Rican. A regular on MTV’s Teen Mom, Vee also created her Latina, Female-Found & Owned Beauty & Accessory Company Vivid Belleza. She is passionate about helping others and loves makeup.
Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up?
I grew up in Newark, NJ with my single Mom, my sister, and my step-father who came from Puerto Rico. He taught me all I knew from the culture to speaking the language. I became super in tune with my heritage because of him. Living in Newark and NJ there is a huge Latina culture and it was a huge melting pot of people. It was always fun and different being around people of different backgrounds.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
I have so many beautiful ladies that ask me every day what are my tips and tricks to doing simple makeup. I feel like there aren’t many brands out there that give you simple products for everyday use. I wanted to start the brand to help the mom that just wants to look put together to run errands, the teenager who is in a rush to get to class, that woman that just got asked out on a date, ayyyy! Just anybody who is playing in makeup and just doesn’t want it to feel so overwhelming. We all know I am a proud Latina, so it was also important to me to just be myself and add a little bit of me into everything. Belleza means beauty in Spanish and is something I call my daughter every single day. Vivid Belleza will soon be full of your go-to, easy-to-use beauty products with some spice, or as we like to call it. SAZON added to it ;). To have every single product you need in one place, to create the perfect brow sounded like a dream. I’ve put so much into this brand and can’t wait to keep going and keep helping beautiful, strong women or men around the world feel confident in how they wear makeup! I want people around the world to know it’s ok to treat yourself, and it’s okay to not know every single thing about makeup. Wear that deep red lipstick or nude lip mamiiiii, and rock that filled-in brow. Do it how you want to. Be vivid, be confident. YOU DESERVE THIS!
What is one business lesson you would tell a startup founder?
I have learned a few lessons that I think are share-worthy. First, Find your nichè and stick to it. It is easy to compare yourself or have imposter syndrome but There is always going to be someone who is related to your brand and will be interested in purchasing your products. The key is to be authentic and customers will come. I also think it’s important to remember who you are, why you started, and stay true to the brand. Being consistent and educated on what your audience wants is also key. When you create a community for your brand, you create a loyal area of people that will continue to buy your products. Keeping engaged with them and listening to their wants and needs helps to create a bond with your target audience.

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