Meet Hannah Rodriguez | Founder + Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have worked as an artist for Anthropologie for the last 8 years creating window/interior displays and building fixtures. I would have customers come in and inquire about purchase the displays for an event they were having at the end of the season. That got me thinking there didn’t seem to be a ton of wedding vendors doing these types of display for events and I wanted to bridge the gap between the two industries. So when I started Vim + Venture the idea was to still create window displays for boutiques and other retail spaces but also bring over those handmade, handcrafted installations for weddings and parties. Whether that be a backdrop for a ceremony, or reception head table. Or some over the top escort wall that shows the guests where they’ll be seated in an interesting way creating special discovery moments for the guests.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been interested in many different medium of art and could never just pick one. That’s how I became a multimedia artist with Anthropologie. I learned alot of my skills from the company but wanted to eventually branch off to start my own business and have my own creative freedom. What sets Vim + Venture apart from other companies is you’re going to see things made out of materials you would never think of. That could be paper leaves made out of tags, flowers made out of tyvek paper. Walls built from foam, textures molded from concrete or joint compound. The ideas and materials are ever changing.
I didn’t get where I am today without tears and setbacks. Over the years there would be a project or two where I didn’t trust my gut and would use an alternative material or weight of something that didn’t end up working out and created more time to have to fix it and go back and have to push a deadline. I wouldn’t take back any of those moments back though. They taught me so many life lessons and gave me more confidence on how to handle certain situations and grow from them.

I want people to know that first of Vim + Venture came from the phrase ‘vim and vigor’ which means strength and energy. This brand was built from the lessons and and trials I have experienced. Without them I wouldn’t have the strength to start and carry on Vim + Venture today. Being a woman in a field where I am building a ton of displays, it is very empowering to see men and other women’s reaction to all that I can create and do. Which again just gives me more strength and confidence to continue on pursuing what I am doing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an introvert I doing go out a ton. But when I do it’s usually to brunch at Brewed off Magnolia in Fort Worth. Probably look at @fortworthlovelist instagram for any events or fun things to do that weekend. Theyre always posting about bars and restaurants. I would want to take them shopping around the Fort Worth University Park Shopping Center. It’s outdoors with a ton of good spots to shop and eat. For dinner, I’d drive over to the Bishop Arts District in Dallas where they have more cute local shops, restaurants and bars for all ages.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The book Mind your Business by Ilana Griffo motivated me to get up and make it happen! As well as my close family and friends.

Website: https://www.vimandventure.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vim.and.venture/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vim.and.venture

Image Credits
Sara Boyd Photography (First photo with myself and palm leaves) On the Times Photography, Florals by Billie Ball & Co -Fan and floral photo Silent Tea Studio -Moon Photo Stefani Kovacevic Photography -Triangle and hanging swags from the ladder photos