Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gaby Velasquez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gaby , appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

One of my most important lessons came from working in a space dedicated to women’s creativity and entrepreneurship. I started in a community role, helping others grow, produce events, and connect their work with purpose. Over time, I learned that while collaboration and empathy can open beautiful doors, standing up for yourself is equally essential. When I faced unfair treatment, I chose integrity over comfort. That moment taught me that protecting your voice and values is part of the creative journey. Today, I lead Cacao Designs with that same strength, creating from authenticity, not fear, and helping others do the same.

Gaby , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who haven’t met you yet, tell us about yourself and how your journey began.
I’m Gabriela Velasquez — an Afro-Indigenous Venezuelan artist, photographer, and founder of Cacao Designs. My path into the creative world was not linear; it was born from survival and transformation. Art became my way to heal, to reclaim my identity, and to reconnect with my roots after years of personal challenges.

How did Cacao Designs come to life?
Cacao Designs emerged during a period of deep introspection. I started creating jewelry as a spiritual practice — weaving stories of resilience, memory, and love into every piece. Each collection, whether it’s Natura, Emperatriz, Jaguar, or Alas de Luz, carries ancestral energy. I use authentic stones like jade and metals such as bronze and silver, merging earthy elements with urban design. The pieces are handmade with intention, each one meant to remind the wearer of their strength and connection to nature.

What do you offer, and what makes your brand unique?
Cacao Designs offers more than jewelry, it offers storytelling. Each creation embodies empowerment and remembrance. I also work as a photographer through Gaby Velasquez Photography, capturing human essence, cultural expression, and community narratives. Through Houston Cultural Collective, I build bridges between artists, small businesses, and audiences, producing cultural events that celebrate identity and connection.

What sets my work apart is its emotional honesty. I don’t create from trends; I create from energy, from lived experience. My art is rooted in authenticity and community, it’s a reflection of who we are when we stand proud of our origins and our healing.

What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of rebuilding myself through creativity. Of turning pain into art. As a mother, immigrant, and survivor, I’ve learned that standing in your truth is revolutionary. Cacao Designs represents that, the courage to evolve, to dream, and to keep creating even after the storm.

What do you want people to know about you and your brand?
Cacao Designs is more than adornment; it’s medicine. Every piece is crafted with intention, inspired by nature, ancestry, and transformation. I want people to feel seen, powerful, and connected when they wear my work , as if they’re carrying a piece of their own story back to their roots.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Cacao Designs began in 2020 as a reflection of my roots, my love for natural materials, and my belief that art can heal. I had no idea then how essential it would become to my life. A few years later, I faced one of my most painful experiences, losing a job I had poured my heart into after standing up for myself in an environment that no longer aligned with my values.

That moment could have broken me, but instead it clarified everything. I turned back to Cacao Designs, not as a side project but as a lifeline. Through each piece I crafted, I transformed anger into art and disappointment into empowerment. It reminded me that resilience isn’t about never falling, it’s about how you rise and what you create from the fall.

Today, every design carries that story. It represents courage, self-worth, and the power of turning pain into purpose. Cacao Designs is more than jewelry; it’s a testament that beauty can grow even in the aftermath of loss.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I have conflicting feelings about NFTs. I love that they give artists ownership and new opportunities, but I’m also aware of the environmental and ethical impact they carry. As someone guided by nature and ancestry, I can’t separate creativity from responsibility. I believe innovation is beautiful, but only when it respects the Earth and the communities it touches.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacao_dsigns?igsh=dDMyM2E0b2d5dG01
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17U2capzEt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-a-velasquez-24118860

Image Credits

Personal photo : Miguel Dorta- Malamen Media

Gaby Velasquez Photography