Babe Watch - Valentina (Vajzë)
When I started this Babe Watch project for The Posh Shop Co, I never understood how important it was going to be for me or for my followers. I am almost reaching the point of 20 featured Babes and it is so great to look back on all of the amazing women that have been featured. I featured my business mentors, some business friends, and even a few women that I have met on social media. Today, I am beyond excited to feature another woman that I had the pleasure of meeting through social media (see it isn't all bad!). We started talking, I made her some cute pencils for her business, and the rest is history.
The Babe the Week is the lovely Valentina, owner of Vajzë, a fine, fierce and feminine handcrafted, luxury jewelry company. I am actually fan-girling over getting to feature Valentina. She is elegant, beautiful, kind, and accomplished. Looking at both her business and personal Instagram pages, I am swept up by her dreamy and perfectly curated aesthetic. The Vajzë page is filled with glamour and gold. Her jewelry pieces are gorgeous and timeless and have drawn attention of celebrities and everyday queens that walk amongst us. Her personal page is a lovely showing of lavish vacations, delectable meals, and stunning fashion choices (topped off with the most amazingly beautiful nail art). Long story short, she is a woman to follow.
Diving deeper into Vajzë, I would be remiss not to focus on the parts of the business that I find so interesting. First, Vajzë is the Albanian word for "girl" and Valentina herself is an American national who was born in Montenegro to Albanian parents (via the Vajzë website). She shares parts of her culture in her designs and has pieces that derive from her culture. I find this detail so beautiful and engaging, like she is letting her buyers share a part of her life. Second, Valentina designs her pieces herself. Her pieces are a true work of art from conception of an idea, to the skilled handcrafting (that she shares parts of in her Instagram stories from time to time), and ending with the way that she shares her pieces with the world on her website or social media. Everything she makes and shares with the world is a piece of thoughtful art and I have so much respect for her artistry. And, lastly, Vajzë is a very socially active company. They have raised money for and worked with a plethora of social causes. Valentina is the epitome of a Boss Babe and I am so pleased to get to share her business with the you.
If you would like to learn more about Valentina and her business, Vajzë, please read more about her below!
What is Your Website? Insta Handle? (Or However Else We Can Find You!)
www.vajze.com
@vajze
Why Did You Decide To Start Your Business?
I realized I had a passion for styling my friends and family and accessorizing them!
Do You Have a Blog, Podcast, or Youtube Channel? Tell Us About It!
Podcast coming soon!
What Is The Best Advice You Can Give to A Woman Starting Her Business Venture?
Have faith in yourself, be resourceful - do what you can with what you have until you can get better! Always go with your intuition.
What Is Something Most People Don't Know About You?
That I have a finance degree and worked in the corporate world! I love my creative and artistic side, that I obviously could not suppress, but the skills I learned in a 9-5 really helped me with my business.
What Does Your Typical Day Look Like?
First of all, every day seems to have something not typical happen! Having coffee asap, answering emails/DMs from customers, working with my partners on my casting, packaging, talking to retailers/influencers, fulfilling orders, planning for future lines/collections
Who Are Some Women That Inspire You? (Globally and Locally)
I am inspired by my friends and family - there are so many women doing great things around us that need to be celebrated. They motivate me to do more and make me realize we can inspire others to do grand and great things in our own community.
What Was One Huge Business Flop or Problem That You Had to Endure and How Did You Handle That?
I actually had a previous business that I had to end due to a bad partnership. I did not know how I was going to handle it, as I was devastated because it was my "baby." I got through it just focusing on the fact that I knew I had to remove toxic people and things in my life and I knew there would eventually be a light at the end of this tunnel.
What Accomplishment Are You Most Proud Of?
One goal of mine is to actually recognize and celebrate accomplishments :) I tend to always just 'keep going' and not recognize the milestones I complete! I am most proud of continuing to evolve and grow as a business.
What Do You Do For Self Care?
No work, spend time with family and friends, not have to do something 'productive,' and love good old fashioned self care such as facials, manis and pedis.
What Jobs Did You Work Before You Created Your Business? Tell Us Your Journey.
I have always worked in an office setting since I was 17! I thought I was going to be a CEO of a huge company... well now I am a different kind of CEO. I only once worked in a retail store at the mall and it was not for me! I wrapped gifts (lol) and loved meeting people, but I was not fulfilled.
Give Us Some Fun Facts About You!
I was born in Montenegro, I am bilingual, I don't watch TV
What Sign Are You? Are You Into Astrology?
Pisces :D SOOOO into it - I tend to ask everyone I meet what their sign is.
Do You Know Your Enneagram? If So, What Is It?
2, 3 and 4
What One Word Represents You Most.
multi faceted :)
What is Your Favorite The Posh Shop Co Product?
How can I choose? I have to say the pencils because I have used for my own branding :)