Shoe designer by day, super wife, and mom by night. Veronica Herrera–a shoe designer and manufacturer from Colombia–has traveled thousands of miles to our shores not only to sell Vero Milan’s most recent line of shoes but more importantly, to stand up for herself and empower other women to follow in her footsteps.
Since I met her at the Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach during a photoshoot with Miss Universe El Salvador 2020, Vanessa Velásquez (who modeled Herrera’s shoe line) her voice is still ringing in my mind.
“We, as women, need to lift up our voices because you know, los buenos somos mas.” The good ones are more, she said. So true and so on cue, that her phrase became viral on Instagram shortly after her small factory was ransacked by a band of thieves on September 21, 2021. At that moment, her rage surpassed her shock. The thieves may have stolen every pair of shoes, every shopping bag, decorative bow, and even the factory’s tile floors. They tore off so forcefully that it ate away some of the cement, but not her total belief in human goodness.
After it finally sunk in that her company was all but empty walls and dirt floors, Herrera dried her eyes and picked up the phone. She called every business owner she knew in Colombia. She asked them for help, and one by one, they began to answer her call. The government certainly voiced their concern, but that’s as far as their involvement extended, she said. As in most Latin countries, Colombians expect the government to take care of their business regardless of the circumstances.
In an unprecedented act of kindness, the people responded—and how!
The impact of this lawlessness by a band of thieves mobilized her community and the rest of Colombia, and beyond. Word spread out via social media and it reached a publicist by the name of Waleska Rojas. This publicist happened to be the manager of Vanessa Velásquez.
The three women met and began a comprehensive, strategic plan. Using their combined talents and ideas, they invited other women with abilities beyond what they had to join them so they could become even more proficient at creating new novelty products and projects.
Herrera appears to be a no-nonsense woman—and yes, she is beautiful, smart, passionate, and firm. And she’ll poke fun at the idea of becoming Wonder Woman, La Mujer Maravilla!
(FDP): You and Vanessa Velásquez had not met before, but it seems that you and Miss Universe El Salvador 2020 have been working for years. What does the Miss Universe pageant mean to you, and what is the purpose of working with Vanessa?
VERONICA HERRERA: As a woman, it means inspiration. Vanessa, in particular, is a very talented, harmonious woman. She is very friendly, too. Aside from her magnificent beauty, she transmits impeccable energy. And so, when you meet her, you automatically connect with her and want to do many things. You obviously want your brand to be reflected by that positive energy, in addition to her beauty and elegance, which of course, adds to the allure. People gravitate to that and connect easily with her and the image she portrays.
Why is that energy so important to you?
Because that’s what’s projected to the entire world. So, when you think of your brand, you want it to be in the right hands—with someone who has a positive attitude at the right place and time. Her communication skills, confidence, appearance, language, and fashion awareness sum up her personality well. That’s why my word to define her is harmonious because that compliments her in every way, and in everything.
How do you describe your designs?
We have produced an urban shoe style that can be used in our daily life. You can wear our shoes with an elegant outfit and still be comfortable. You’re projecting your fashion and beauty senses while being comfortable. The idea is to create something stylish and beautiful.
My company [Vero Milan] is based in Colombia, where I live with my husband and two small children. I have been developing this project for two years now. I have my own shoe factory. It covers the whole spectrum, from design to production to distribution. It’s been a labor of love for us. We just launched our shoe line in the United States, as there’s a broader market here. Our products are 100% Colombian. Despite some of the hardest things in life, my company now sees new light and has a brighter future than it could have ever imagined.
Your experience certainly has changed you. What are your thoughts on the impact and influence of a multi-cultural woman, especially today when there’s so much trouble and division in our world?
I think there are many challenges. Challenges because as a woman, you always aim to be bigger than you are. You want to make changes in your life because you are worth it, and you believe in yourself and want to express it somehow. That’s very important to me. When you challenge yourself, you want to do many things and that pushes you to hunger for more: to be better every day, and more importantly, to inspire others. But the thing is, you need to inspire yourself first before you can inspire other women.
So, the idea is, if they can, so can you.
[laughing] Pues claro! [Of course!] As a woman, you always want to connect with those types of women who are empowered, successful, and leaders in their own circles. I think that we, as women, should identify ourselves with each of those women. You begin to feel better about yourself and see the world in a new light when you combine parts of you and parts of them. This helps you realize that you can get up, take the first step, and better yourself.
Where did you get your strength from?
I am the daughter of a single mother. So, when this happened to me, I thought of the other 60 women who represented their families. Indirectly, I was responsible for them. How could I tell them? No. I can’t help you. So, I prayed to God. A thought came to my mind and I felt that God put this in my heart: “Don’t think why, but for what?” A rush of energy ran through me, which prompted me to make the short video that became viral in Colombia through Social Media. Now, mind you; I was never the type of person to post on Social Media before.
But I was very clear with the words I used. In the video, I showed the pain I was suffering, which is common in many Latin American countries. I included the hashtag: “#Losbuenossomosmas,” [#thegoodonesaremore]. My phone didn’t stop ringing for days. Journalists from all over the country called me, wanting to know my story, which ran for three weeks straight.
I had asked God to send me angels of light, and one by one, they started showing up. Supporters, companies, and people like Waleska and Vanessa. Since then, I’ve been riding an emotional train. I’ve made contacts and alliances with so many different people and companies and have been able to sustain sales and keep my team working. They have given me the hand I needed to restart. It has been a marvelous experience because we have been able to help many people, directly and indirectly, and inspire them. I receive hundreds of messages on Instagram saying, “Vero, you can’t imagine the movement of women that you are making.” The thing is when you put women together, we get strong—like Wonder Woman.
Wonder Woman, huh?
Yes, La mujer Maravilla. [Wonder Woman] Each day that you challenge yourself and meet that challenge, you awaken that Wonder Woman that exists inside of you. All women have that superpower within, we just don’t know it. But when you realize the force that’s in you, you become a marvelous woman, inspiring other women, men, and children.
I don’t feel like I’ve done anything risky. I feel grateful, thankful, and blessed beyond measure—coming from Colombia and getting to work with amazing people. I’ve always had a hunger for more. And, considering the roller-coaster life we lead, becoming Wonder Woman wouldn’t be such a terrible idea.
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To learn more about Veronica Herrera and her company, Vero Milan, find her @veromilanoficial, online at veromilan.com.
Veronica Herrera on becoming Wonder Woman