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

Hi Veronica, thanks for joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

When the year 2020 brought the challenges of the pandemic, I embarked on a journey as an entrepreneur, selling women’s self-defense and custom products under the name OhVeecal. Incorporating my name, Vee, into the business was important to me because I wanted people to recognize the person behind the brand, rather than just a small business. OhVeecal emerged as a playful and memorable title, inspired by the expression “HOLY COW,” which I felt perfectly captured the fun and exciting vibe I wanted customers to experience when discovering my products.

However, as time went on, I began to realize that being a shop owner was no longer fueling my passion, but instead felt like a means to make quick money during difficult times. My true passion lay in content creation and influencing, which brought me immense joy. To ensure that people saw more of the real me and my aspirations, I made the decision to rebrand once again. which led me to change my business name to Blk. Unfiltered and Unapologetically Vee, a business name that speaks volumes about who I am and what I stand for.

This new identity serves as a constant reminder to myself, and others, that amidst the overwhelming “aesthetic” pressures of social media, I should never compromise my authentic self or my values to please others. Blk. Unfiltered and Unapologetically Vee captures the essence of embracing individuality and staying true to oneself. To make the name more concise yet meaningful I chose to shorten it to BUUVee, derived from “Be You Vee.” While not everyone may immediately grasp the meaning behind it, that’s precisely the beauty of it all—it’s a personal reminder to me to remain true to who I am, regardless of external influences.

BUUVee represents my journey from a shop owner to a full-time content creator and influencer. Through my unique perspective and unapologetic approach, I aim to inspire others to embrace their true selves and stand firm in their beliefs. BUUVee is more than just a shop—it’s a symbol of authenticity and a reminder to never lose sight of who we are and constant call to remain unfiltered and unapologetically true to oneself.

Veronica, 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?

As someone who may not be familiar with my work, I’m thrilled to tell you about my journey into the world of content creation and how it has shaped my brand and offerings. It all began with my admiration for inspiring creators who motivated and pushed me to explore this industry more. Witnessing their dedication and success, I realized that content creation could be more than just a hobby—it had the potential to become a fulfilling full-time career, even for a stay-at-home mom like myself. Their influence fueled my desire to embark on this exciting journey.

I immersed myself in the craft, from creating captivating videos to honing my editing skills. I fell in love with the ability to evoke emotions and connect with people through my creations. However, my determination led me to extensive research and a quest for answers. I was determined to be where these creators stood, making a meaningful contribution while still staying true to my passion for the love of content creation.

As a creator, my pride lies not only in the content I create for myself but also in the services I offer to businesses, both big and small. I curate ads and engaging videos that can potentially lead these companies to success. By promoting them on various platforms, I provide exposure to my audience, helping these businesses reach new heights.

Amidst the oversaturated field of content creation and influencing, I am proud of myself for not giving up. It can be all too easy to compare oneself to others and feel inadequate, but I have made a conscious effort to avoid falling into that trap. While scrolling and observing the work of others, I always remind myself not to measure my own journey against theirs because everyones journey is and will be different . This resilience and dedication are accomplishments I am truly proud of.

Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of my favorite brands, such as Ghetto Gastro, Versed, Tatcha, and Brown girl Jane, and many small businesses as well. These collaborations have been significant milestones for me, showcasing the progress and impact I’ve made in my content creation career, not only boosting my confidence but reaffirming my dedication to this path.

My work as a creative goes beyond personal expression. It represents authenticity, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact to others who may also be trying to make an impact. I take pride in my ability to contribute to the success of others while pursuing my passion. Despite the challenges that may come in this field, I remain committed to my journey, always striving to create meaningful and engaging content for both myself and the businesses I collaborate with.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind my creative journey is to transform it into a full-time career. As a stay-at-home mom and an active duty military spouse, nothing would bring me more fulfillment than being able to pursue my passion while being with my loved ones. While I am still working towards my goals and dreams of establishing a constant flow of income through content creation, I firmly believe that with discipline and consistency, I will reach that point. It’s important to remember that success isn’t solely about the timing of achieving our goals; what truly matters is the ultimate realization of our dreams. As long as I reach my destination, the journey itself becomes a significant accomplishment.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, for me, is witnessing the growth of a small business through the traffic I generate for them. I derive immense satisfaction from seeing businesses, especially those owned by individuals from marginalized communities or small-scale enterprises, thrive and expand their customer base as a result of the videos I create. It feels like I am making a meaningful difference by providing them with a platform to showcase their products or services. I understand firsthand the challenges involved in growing a small business, having had one myself, and I believe that sometimes all it takes is the right platform to help them succeed.

Just as my little sister and husband served as a platform for my own business when I first started, my partnership with ohveecal provided me with the opportunity to not only develop as a small business but also to flourish as a creative individual. Which I am forever grateful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: buuvee.org
• Instagram: blk.uuvee
• Facebook: Vee Heard
• Youtube: BUUVee
• Other: TikTok: Ohveecal