Meet Vanessa Pacheco | Custom Tumbler Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Pacheco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was a huge blank if I’m being honest! Just like many maker businesses, it started off as a hobby. As a kid, I loved crafting and once I found out what a Cricut was and seeing everything that I could potentially make with it, I was sold. It started with engraving, making signs for home decor or party events. Basically how every crafter starts sitting at their kitchen table, covered in scraps and excess vinyl you didn’t realize you could save, scissors buried under mounds of failed projects because you didn’t click on the right bubble to mirror an image. Watching videos online and searching social media for other crafters to learn from is how I came across tumblers. It was terrifying! Totally something new so naturally it was exciting but also made me question if I would even be able to do it. I researched everything I could on supplies and techniques until finally, I made my first cup! A softball mom tumbler made for my sister in law as my guinea pig to even see if it was something I would be interested in and I was in love! I loved the process and learning the do’s and don’t was exciting but that could also be my nerdy self. There’s so much you can do with a tumbler and personalized tumblers are my favorite to do. The best compliment you can receive is, “I trust you, do what you want.” Being able to think outside the box and see a customers reaction over something you created is everything! Making personalized tumbler from team mom, sports team or even a memorial cup of a loved one that has passed, gives my business a purpose I couldn’t think possible. The customers that come back, not only become repeat customers but become friends overtime. My thought process behind starting my business was so miniscule in comparison to how my business has deveoloped over time. I’m proud.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of starting an actual business! That alone makes me extremely proud because I never thought I would ever become a business owner. Now being a business owner where my creativity shows in my work, that is mindblowing. With how things are in society, many makers aren’t taken seriously as real business owners because it’s an area that has not been explored to the extent that it is. If it’s not manufactured and in big chain stores, we get looked over. That was my challenge starting off which made me question if what I was making was overpriced. “Am I charging too much?” Boy did I get out of that mindset real quick! These are handmade items that take days to make. I am constantly thinking of new ways on improving and creating my craft and researching to learn new styles and techniques. Making sure the epoxy is evenly mixed, checking the temperature to ensure the epoxy cures and the vinyl! My goodness the patience for vinyl! You’re not buying “just a cup” you’re buying the time it took to learn and master that specific cup. The trial and error, the material wasted in the learning process, the hours worked on that can go well into the coldest part of night or even waking up a few hours early before work to put that next layer! Gaining that power and confidence back to say yes, it does cost that much and not feel a heaviness in the pit of your stomach, is empowering. I love a good challenge and maintain constant communication with my customer to ensure we’re on the right page. A customized item with the right maker is worth the cost.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend knows I talk about Old Town Temecula. Be Good and 1909 have some of the best food and drinks but there’s a pizza place where you can play ping pong at Topspin Pizza Pong! So much fun!

At the Menifee Marketplace for brunch, Breakfast Club is the place to go for some amazing chilaquiles. If it’s lunch or dinner time, Bushfire right next door for the salmon bowl, yumm! That’s just my favorite but all of their food is delicious. I love going there at night when it’s cold out because there’s a cute fireplace area to sit and hangout right outside in between both of these restaurants that’s cute for relaxing or going out with your girls or a date night!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate this shoutout to this amazing mentorship group that helped shaped who I am as a maker and business owner. The Virtual Mentorship Community was started by my good friend Alejandra from Yaya’s Hobby Shop that provides a private space for fellow makers to be able to learn, create and inspire one another without the financial pressure or limitations. It’s a free community where you can utilize free resources from many talented makers that specialize is many skill sets. We set up classes pertaining to business, social media, enhancing skill sets or just to tune in and chat to check in with everyone and see how you’re doing. Our goal is to help build relationships with each other but also help others build confidence in areas they feel are difficult. The makers I’ve had the privilege of meeting helped push me to try new things and get myself out there when I first began my business and I love being able to do that for other makers and not just limited to tumblers, but expand to molds, sewing, pen making, etc. We welcome everyone regardless of level of expertise, from beginner to advanced, starter business to well established. It’s amazing to connect with real people who not only have the same drive, passion and vision as yourself, but that are there to genuinely support and bring our community together.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdesignscustomcreations/

Image Credits
Amanda Smedley