We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MONSE Rivera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi MONSE, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Being successful is what’s keeping many of us entrepreneurs confused in all industries. Success must be defined by the state of mind, not by the traditional standards.

For me has been very clear that making beautiful things every day, connecting with people I don’t know, exchanging energy with visionaries and feeling the gratitude of simply being alive for me that’s success.

Finding success where we are right now in this precise moment is key to longevity, wealth and everything that makes you feel on the right track.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My brands are all parallel to my overall vision: to uplift people’s lives through experiences, paper goods and premium catering services.

NIDOS BY MÒNSE @nidosbymonse
is my company where we focus in curating one of a kind experiences for our clients so they can enjoy all celebrations stress free. We offer from full hosting services to private chef catering around the globe in private environments.

MŌNGĪL @mongilpr
is the new division under NIDOS where my brother and I are the curators of all private catering services provided in Puerto Rico and the West Indies.

JUST B CUZ @justbcuzwestindies
one of a kind paper and stationery goods for busy people who like human made goods.
Collaborations with Tiffany & Co, Ritz Carlton Hotels and selected celebrities.

GIRLBOSS PUERTO RICO @girlbosspuertorico
I’m the founder of this female growing community based in Puerto Rico impacting women worldwide to support them create balance for professional and personal growth.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of those times where I had to make drastic moves in life was when I had to move back to Puerto Rico from Sweden after realizing I was involved in a marriage that couldn’t be fixed.

My entire world flipped upside down for the best!

Only looked back to see how far I’ve grown from that moment in time.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

For JUST B CUZ which is my product based brand I manufacture all of it. I do have my distributors but one of the aspects of my brand is that all is manufactured in the West Indies, Puerto Rico.

Many people have told me you should order in gigantic quantities in China but knowing the quality control my brand requires to serve my existing and new clients, I need to be able to see, touch and feel the materials in person, not virtually.

Now stepping into the commercial grounds with Walmart and Target I must find the best balance to keep my brand’s assets and story alive alongside my team.

I started JUST B CUZ as the main source of communication between my mother and I when I decided to depart from Puerto Rico to discover the big cities like New York, Los Angeles and Sweden. I understood back then the importance of tangible connection regardless the distance.
My products are mainly used to elevate shopping experience in stores, vip client recognition, to repair communication between couples, clients…

JUST B CUZ we don’t need a holiday to express love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JustBCuzWestIndies.com
• Instagram: @JUST B CUZ West Indies