Model Turned Mama Bird, Denise Vasi
Introduce yourself. What's your story?
My name is Denise Vasi, and I have spent 20+ years as a model and actress. However, when I transitioned into motherhood, I started to look at health and wellness in a different way. When I looked at the industry seven years ago, I saw a tremendous lack of diversity and lack of inclusivity. I wanted to bring self-care and beauty to all women, but what was most important to me was that it was attainable and accessible. I took my passion for curating self-care and beauty routines and combined it with my love of researching products. I built Maed so that women could educate themselves while shopping all things wellness and beauty related.
What are your current hobbies?
A few months ago, I started collecting NFTs. At first, it was a hobby, but now, educating and onboarding women - especially BIPOC women - to the space has become a passion project of mine.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since beginning your career?
It’s never too late to start something new.
What is your favorite part of your workspace; how do you make it your "own"?
My favorite part of my workspace is definitely the natural light. It shifts my mood and provides great light to shoot in. I regularly burn incense and Palo Santo to make the space my own. It’s incredible how your senses and mood are intertwined.
How do you stay inspired? What keeps you motivated to keep going?
The people around me inspire me: my family, my friends, and my community. I genuinely love to add value to other people’s lives and I love bringing people together. I know that that is part of my purpose in life and that deeply motivates me.
How do you define success?
One of my favorite quotes is: “Success is fine, but success is fleeting. Significance is lasting.” □
