From First Business at 15 to CEO: Vanessa Farino on Building Through Imposter Syndrome
In a world where women still fight for visibility, ownership, and recognition, Vanessa Farino is rewriting the rules. From launching her first business at 15 to leading community-forward initiatives through Creative CEO, Vanessa’s journey is a powerful blueprint for modern, values-driven entrepreneurship.
We sat down with her on the Oui, We Studio Podcast to talk about business, grief, feminine leadership, and how understanding your energy (hello, Human Design!) could be the game-changer you've been looking for.
VANESSA’S STORY: A JOURNEY FROM GRIEF TO GRIT
Vanessa’s entrepreneurial path started early. At just 15, she co-founded a boutique with her mom. “We were one of the only retailers for Ed Hardy at the time,” she recalls. Fast forward: 15 years in startup environments, a Chief of Staff title, a $25M fundraise—and then, loss.
A coworker. A best friend. Her physical body breaking down.
But in the wake of that grief, Vanessa birthed her next chapter: Creative CEO.
“If nearly two million women were leaving the workforce, why weren’t we protesting?” she asked. “Where were they going?”
Creative CEO became her answer: a hybrid space where business strategy meets healing and community.
WHAT IS CREATIVE CEO?
At its core, Creative CEO is a movement. It’s Vanessa’s way of helping women move past the gatekeeping, bypass the burnout, and gain real access to tools that work. Not just strategy—but safety.
Key Pillars of Creative CEO:
Coworking Events across the country (Boston, Miami, LA, NYC)
Business Education rooted in real-world financial tools
Community-Building that centers inclusion, feedback, and nervous system regulation
Human Design Integration in every layer of her work
She’s bringing women together—especially women of color—to connect, grow, and learn to trust their own brilliance.
HUMAN DESIGN IN BUSINESS: YOUR ENERGY TYPE MATTERS
We LOVE a smart girl who knows her energetic blueprint.
Vanessa (a Manifesting Generator) uses Human Design and astrology as foundational tools inside Creative CEO. Whether she’s guiding clients on decision-making, creating marketing plans, or teaching content strategy, energy alignment is the first step.
“I learned I was a Mani Gen and everything clicked. I stopped trying to be someone else.”
Her advice?
Start with your energy type, then ask:
What kind of energy do I want my business to hold?
Am I building based on my gifts—or someone else’s path?
And if you're ready to go deeper, Vanessa recommends exploring your Human Design Profile lines, as detailed in our [Human Design Content Planning Guide].
BUILDING A BUSINESS THAT’S BOTH FEMININE + FUNCTIONAL
Vanessa’s approach to entrepreneurship isn’t about hustle. It’s about integrity, implementation, and inner work.
Inside Creative CEO, her team teaches:
Simple financial projections before launching
Conscious business decisions that avoid burnout
Marketing for humans, not algorithms
And she’s not afraid to say it: success isn’t just about followers or aesthetics. It’s about being sustainable, self-aware, and supported.
“Your business isn’t meant to entertain you,” she says. “But it should nourish you.”
FEATURED IN FILM: STILL WORKING 9 TO 5
Vanessa’s leadership was recently recognized on a global stage—literally. She’s featured in the documentary Still Working 9 to 5, alongside icons like Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda.
The film traces decades of women’s workplace rights and how far we still have to go.
“Did you know women still aren’t part of the U.S. Constitution?” she asks. “Most people don’t.”
Through this film, and her everyday work, Vanessa is educating and activating the next generation of women leaders.
ACCESSIBILITY, REPRESENTATION & RADICAL SUPPORT
Whether it’s flying across the country for coworking days or hugging women in the room who are nervous to attend their first event, Vanessa centers human connection.
She challenges other business owners to:
Gather diverse feedback—especially from underrepresented communities
Create events and offers that feel safe to the nervous system
Remember that real representation is more than branding
SMART GIRL INSIGHT: NERVOUS SYSTEMS FIRST
If you take one thing away from this interview, let it be this: Regulate your nervous system before anything else.
Forget hustle. Forget perfection. If your body doesn't feel safe, your business can't scale.
“We should put that on a billboard,” Vanessa says.
Vanessa Farino is a multi-hyphenate woman redefining what it means to lead. Through pain and pivoting, she’s turned her story into a system—and we’re so here for it.
Want to join her movement? Learn more at hellocreativeceo.com and follow Vanessa at @vanessafarino.
And if you’re a Smart Girl ready to build a soul-aligned business? We’re waiting for you inside the Smart Girls Mastermind Membership.
Resources:
🎧 Listen now and tag the creative CEO in your life — this one’s for the women building their legacy with soul, strategy, and deep self-trust.
👯♀️ Want to go deeper?
💻 Join the Oui, We Roll Visual Content Course
🎤 Book Andi to Speak
📥 Explore the Obsession-Worthy Framework inside the Mastermind
🧳 Come hang inside
