vanessa Arcila shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning vanessa, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
We can never rush things in life. Life is a process, and we must allow ourselves to go through each stage. You can’t jump from A to C without first going through B. The moment we truly understand this, the struggles in life will begin to ease. It takes a great deal of discernment to recognize when we’re trying to accelerate a process. And if something is taking longer than expected, it’s often because there’s something valuable we’re meant to learn along the way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Vanessa Arcila, a journalist, jewelry designer, and visionary entrepreneur. As the founder of Vanessa Arcila Jewelry, I have had the privilege of taking Colombian emeralds to international stages—not just as a precious stone, but as a symbol of identity, dignity, and inner beauty. My contemporary designs honor Colombia’s cultural heritage, transforming the ancestral into a modern language that connects with the eternal.
Throughout my career, I’ve been recognized for my contribution to promoting emeralds, building a journey marked by excellence, authenticity, and purpose. However, beyond the sparkle of jewelry displays, I’ve discovered a deeper mission: to accompany and ignite the inner brilliance of women.
Today, I’m stepping into a new chapter of my life: as an AUTHOR . With the launch of my first book, I am embracing the role of a mentor, guiding others on a path of transformation. In this book, my voice is not just for adornment—it’s here to transform. From a spiritual and deeply human perspective, I share my story as both a testimony and a bridge, helping women discover their worth, embrace their journey, and understand their divine calling to reflect light and authenticity in the world.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released is the version of myself that clung to fear, self-doubt, and the need for external validation. For too long, I questioned my voice, doubted my worth, and worried about how others would perceive me. I was constantly trying to fit into a mold, seeking approval from outside sources rather than trusting my inner truth.
Through my book Entre la Roca y el Cielo, I aim to guide women on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, helping them recognize that their struggles, challenges, and the patience required in life’s process are all part of their divine purpose. Just as an emerald is carefully shaped in the depths of the earth, our souls are shaped through time, experiences, and perseverance. This book is a reflection of my own path, and I hope it serves as a guide for women to trust their own process, embrace their uniqueness, and uncover the beauty that lies within them.
But through my journey, especially during the writing of this book, I’ve come to understand that my true purpose lies in embracing my authenticity—my vulnerability, my strength, my light. Releasing those old fears and insecurities has allowed me to step into a new chapter of my life, fully aligned with my divine calling. I now feel empowered to share my story and experiences, not just as a testimony, but as a bridge for other women to discover their own worth, their own process, and their own purpose.
In Entre la Roca y el Cielo, I hope to help others shed the layers of fear and self-doubt that no longer serve them, and instead walk boldly into the fullness of who they are, ready to reflect light and authenticity in the world.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that it was never the pain itself that had power over me, but rather the way I chose to see it. Pain, as I share in Entre la Roca y el Cielo, is not something to be feared or avoided—it is the very process through which transformation occurs. Pain signifies that parts of your body and spirit that no longer resonate with who you are are being released. These parts—whether they’re past fears, limiting beliefs, or old wounds—must disappear for the light inside you to emerge.
It is through this shedding that we find our true power. Pain is a sign that you are being shaped, much like the emerald stone, which endures intense pressure and heat to reveal its brilliance. Only through the trials of life do we come to understand the depths of our strength and the beauty that lies within us.
The truth is, pain is part of the divine process—an essential aspect of personal growth and spiritual evolution. Only God can see the brilliance that lies within us before we can fully perceive it ourselves. Once I understood that, I stopped hiding my pain and began to embrace it as a vital force that pushed me to discover and embody my true self. It was in this release that I found the freedom to step into my purpose, to step into my light—and to empower other women to do the same.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The industry wants to shape us, to tell us what to consume, what to wear, and how to look. It tries to convince us that our worth is tied to meeting a particular standard, just as it often tries to impose a uniform idea of what makes something valuable. But real value lies in our individuality, in our differences, and in the authenticity of our experiences. Just as no two emeralds are identical, no two people are. It is in these differences—our unique flaws, scars, and experiences—that true beauty and strength emerge.
The industry often tries to eradicate our uniqueness in favor of mass appeal and conformity. It tells us that we need to look, act, or think a certain way to be deemed worthy of attention or success. But in reality, it is the very aspects that make us stand out—the parts of us that are unrefined or unconventional—that hold the greatest value. When we stop trying to fit into a mold and embrace our true, authentic selves, we step into the brilliance we were always meant to radiate.
In my work, both as a jewelry designer and now as an author, I’ve learned to celebrate this uniqueness—not just in the emeralds I design with, but in every woman I encounter. Our true value comes from embracing who we are, not from trying to fit into a version of ourselves that the world wants to create.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is one of empowerment, authenticity, and transformation. I want women to understand that everything they’ve gone through in life—the struggles, the pain, the challenges—was with a greater purpose. We were born to be leaders, not by competing with men for roles, but by embracing and celebrating our feminine power. Our strength lies in our ability to nurture, to connect, and to collaborate with others to build a better world together.
I hope the women who come after me will understand that our worth is not determined by external validation, but by our intrinsic dignity. Our voices matter. We are here to speak, to be heard, and to make a difference. I want future generations to know that we were born to serve, to heal, and to learn—breaking the patterns that no longer serve us and shaping a future where our daughters and granddaughters will feel empowered to live authentically, free from the limitations society once placed on us.
Through my work, my words, and my actions, I want to leave a legacy that inspires women to rise above the noise and see themselves as the powerful, radiant beings they are. I want to be remembered not for what I achieved on my own, but for how I helped others rise, for the bridges I built, and for the impact I made in helping women realize their own potential. Together, we can transform the world—not by imitating others, but by honoring our unique gifts and working in unity toward a better future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanessaarcila.com
- Instagram: @vanessaarcila @vanessaarcila_author
Image Credits
Author: Vanessa Arcila
Editorial: Pan House
Photo: Gabo Buchelli
