Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Campisi Pelaez.
Hi Valeria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey began when I was 14 years old. At that age, I had a very clear realization: if there was something I wanted, I could find a way to make it possible. In my mind, there is no such thing as something being impossible. Anytime I want something, I break it down into steps and work towards it. That mindset led me to launch my very first business, a small swimwear brand during COVID, at 14 years old. Even though it was short-lived, it showed me how much I loved building something of my own and sharing it with others.
Fast forward four years later in October 2024, I had a moment of realization. I often reminded myself how important it was to live authentically, yet at that point I was not fully aligned with my own values. That reflection became the spark for Arte de Ser. I wanted to create not just a fashion brand but a platform to share a message: being your authentic self is the best and only option.
Fashion became my medium because I have always seen clothing as more than fabric. It is a reflection of identity, personality, and values. From that idea, I envisioned a brand of feminine, elegant, timeless dresses that embody authenticity and sophistication. Between October and December, I researched manufacturers, sourced fabrics, and tested samples. By May 2025, I officially launched Arte de Ser.
The journey has been fast-moving and full of lessons. Within my first three months, I participated in my first bazaar show at Midtown Athletic Club in Weston and later hosted my first independent event, The Summer Edit by Arte de Ser. The event brought together multiple Latina-led brands and gave my work instant credibility alongside more established names. These experiences were invaluable in teaching me about business, community, and myself.
At the same time, I noticed FIU lacked a space for students who were truly passionate about entrepreneurship. In January 2025, just days into my first semester, I founded The Latinpreneurship Hub. It quickly grew into FIU’s first student-led organization fully focused on entrepreneurship. Before I knew it, I was handling the planning and launch of my brand while also leading and scaling a new organization. Looking back, I am proud that in my very first semester I launched my brand, built a growing organization, maintained strong academics, and completed an internship, and worksed along with two programs with companies such as PwC and Goldman Sachs.
I am only 19, and I know I have much more to learn. These experiences have shaped me in profound ways. The biggest lesson so far is that entrepreneurship is not just about building a brand or a business. It is about alignment, resilience, and staying true to yourself. I do not believe in coincidences. Every step, every challenge, and every achievement has taught me something and brought me closer to who I am meant to be. Arte de Ser is more than a fashion brand to me. It is the beginning of a lifelong journey to create, inspire, and live authentically.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I could not be happier with the way my journey has played out. The path has been smooth thanks to the mental strength I have developed and the support of my family and closest friends, yet also meaningful because of the lessons I was able to learn along the way. Those lessons became the foundation of Arte de Ser.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that everything comes down to decisions. If you do not make decisions, you procrastinate, lose time, and risk missing opportunities. When you do make a decision and commit to it until the end, you already win, regardless of the outcome, because you chose to take action and focus. That mindset has given me a lot of peace and clarity, and it is the reason I have been able to keep moving forward even when things have felt difficult. At 19, I have filled every single role of a business: CEO, marketing, creative, writer, and operations. Balancing all of that by myself has felt challenging at times, but it has also been the greatest teacher of resilience and discipline.
For that reason, I would not describe my road as “hard.” I am deeply grateful for the constant support of my family and the encouragement of my closest girl-friends. Their presence, combined with my own discipline and the belief in following through with my decisions, has made the journey one I feel proud of, even with its challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Arte de Ser, which means “the art of being,” is my fashion brand, but I see it as much more than that. It is my way of reminding people that the most powerful thing you can do in life is to stay true to yourself. No fear, no masks, just you exactly as you are.
Through Arte de Ser I design feminine, elegant, and timeless dresses. What I truly do, however, is create pieces that carry meaning. I believe clothing should be an extension of your essence, not something that hides it. In a world that is constantly changing, the only constant is who you are at your core. Arte de Ser is about protecting and celebrating that essence.
What sets this brand apart is that it comes from a genuine love of life. I love to love, I love to learn, I love to think big and outside the box. I want Arte de Ser to reflect that same energy. My brand is not about fitting in but about shining. It is about choosing what makes you feel free, what makes you feel alive, and what makes you feel like yourself every single day.
One of the moments I am most proud of was hosting The Summer Edit by Arte de Ser. Not only did it showcase my brand, it brought together multiple Latina-led businesses and created a space filled with beauty, collaboration, and authenticity. That event made me realize that Arte de Ser is more than fashion, it is also about community and inspiration.
What I want readers to know is that Arte de Ser is not just another clothing label. It is a brand born from passion, from my belief that life is meant to be lived fully, authentically, and without apology. Every dress is a reminder that you are unique, you are powerful, and you are Arte de Ser.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is from when I was still living in Caracas, Venezuela, before moving to the United States about ten years ago. There was this one time I slept over at my grandparents’ house, and because we lived about 30 to 40 minutes apart, those visits always felt extra special.
My grandpa, an Italian man with his firm little traditions, had a routine of waking up around 4am to make his ham, cheese, and tomato sandwich and watch the news in his library corner. After he left that morning, my grandma and I walked together around the block to the mall near their apartment. She stopped to exercise on the street machines in the park, and I loved simply being with her in those small, everyday moments.
Looking back, I feel so grateful for having the chance to experience my grandparents at a time when they were active, healthy, and well. I cherish this memory because it reminds me of the unconditional love I shared with them. Anyone who had the chance to meet my grandparents was truly blessed, and I miss them more than anything. Their love has stayed with me, and it is something I will carry with me forever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artedeser.co/?locale=es_us&hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-campisi-pelaez-7b218a2b6
Image Credits
Adriana Cofino
