Growing up in a small town in Idaho, life was far from easy. Raised primarily by my mother after my parents divorced when I was three, I experienced the difficulties of a single-parent household. My mother, raising two children on her own, found herself in a seven-year abusive relationship. Despite the chaos at home, I never felt alone. I recognized the damaging environment early on and sought solace in peer counseling, group therapy, and ongoing therapy sessions. I knew that my inner peace could only be found through a deep connection with God and an exploration of different spiritual practices.

From a young age, I was drawn to metaphysical bookstores, different religions, and various ways of living life. I never felt truly at home in my own skin, always sensing a strong spiritual pull to understand the deeper meaning of life. At 20, in search of this connection, I joined the Mormon church and moved from Idaho to Arizona. However, after realizing that this path wasn't for me, I continued my search for a meaningful way of life.

I spent five years each in Tucson and Scottsdale, Arizona, where I went to beauty school, got my license, and started working at some of the state's most beautiful spas. At 22, I got married, but the marriage ended in divorce by the time I was 25. Moving to Scottsdale allowed me to hone my craft further, but it was Austin, Texas, that kept calling me. After visiting Austin every year for my birthday for three years, I finally decided to take the leap, moving there with only one connection.

Taking that risk was one of the best decisions I ever made. Within six months of moving to Austin, I was offered the opportunity to start my own business. I worked tirelessly to grow my clientele, make friends, and build a life. Throughout my journey, giving back was always a core part of my belief system. I knew that in my current role, I couldn't contribute as much as I wanted to charity. I yearned to be part of a bigger change, a larger shift.

In the midst of a serious relationship, I seized the opportunity to create something new while maintaining my full-time career. BellaVee was born from this desire. I taught myself how to build a website, learning coding and design to create a seamless user experience. I researched extensively to curate products that would represent BellaVee's values and mission.

Meeting a woman involved in CodeSpa, a nonprofit organization that supports women in indigenous areas by helping them sell their handmade crafts, was a serendipitous moment. I knew immediately that this was the nonprofit I wanted to support throughout my career. Over the next three years, I poured my heart and soul into BellaVee.

When my 6 1/2-year relationship ended, everything shifted. The ease of managing BellaVee as a side hustle was lost, and I faced one of the most challenging years of my life. Despite the difficulties, my passion and love for BellaVee never wavered. I have grown immensely, learning skills I never thought possible and realizing that even in my darkest times, I never wanted to give up.

BellaVee is my vision of a beautiful life, and I am determined to see it succeed. Our mission is to create a space where everything is intended to raise your vibe, bringing beauty, nature, and community into your life. Our crystal candle collection, each candle signifying an energy, intention, and purpose, is just the beginning. With upcoming collections and our partnership with CodeSpa, we will soon introduce handmade pieces crafted with love and expertise by women from indigenous areas.

I am excited for this journey to continue unfolding, for BellaVee to be seen and understood. This is a mission driven by love, energy, and success, and I am committed to fostering a community that embodies these values. BellaVee is more than a business; it is a movement towards a beautiful, vibrant life.

♥ Veronica, Founder BellaVee