Rooted in Resilience: How a Dominican Dreamer Built a Media Empire in the U.S.

I was born in the Dominican Republic—an island of rhythm, flavor, and complexity. I grew up wrapped in the warmth of my family, immersed in vibrant traditions, and anchored by a community that shaped my soul. From a young age, I was drawn to stories, words, and the beauty in the details of everyday life. But like many Dominican girls, I was also taught to value stability: earn a degree, find a good job, start a family, live a “respectable” life.

So that’s what I did. My journey began in education. I became a teacher and spent nearly thirteen years at Comunidad Educativa Lux Mundi, a school I still hold dear. I found joy in the classroom, but something inside me kept whispering there was more. I dreamed of the editorial world—of crafting narratives, shaping culture, and creating platforms where women like me could be seen. And that dream always led me to one place: New York City.

In 2006, everything changed. I moved to the United States with my husband, leaving behind family, familiarity, and a sense of certainty. It was a leap of faith. I never struggled with the language—I speak English and Spanish fluently—but adjusting emotionally was an entirely different challenge. I had to carve out space for myself in a country that doesn’t always see us—or worse, only sees us as “the help.”

Over time, I’ve heard the same surprised reactions from people who couldn’t quite place me in their expectations. “You’re so well-spoken!” “You have a master’s?” “You run a magazine?” As if leadership, intellect, and ambition are exceptions for someone like me. But still, I rise.

I earned my teaching certification in New York and briefly returned to the classroom. But after giving birth to my first son, I struggled with postpartum depression—far from my mother, far from my roots, far from the community I had always known. That darkness pushed me to speak up. I launched a blog, VCoppes.com, where I wrote honestly about motherhood, identity, fashion, and healing. That blog became a turning point.

While shopping at Aldo, I met Logan Moody, an executive who offered me a managerial role. I said yes. And there, surrounded by shoes and stories, I rediscovered my creativity. I launched a jewelry line, which was featured in BELLA Magazine in 2009. Seeing my name in print brought tears to my eyes—not because I had “made it,” but because I knew it was only the beginning.

I later joined BELLA as Marketing Director and Digital Strategist, learning everything I could about media, branding, and publishing. I didn’t have a journalism degree—but I had grit, vision, and a story to tell. In 2019, when the chance to acquire BELLA presented itself, I took it. I was scared. But I was ready.

Today, BELLA Magazine is BELLA Media + Co., a dynamic, international multimedia company with offices in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. We publish five magazines in both English and Spanish, including BELLA LATINA, which proudly uplifts the stories, voices, and beauty of our community.

I’ve built more than a brand—I’ve built a company that pays taxes, creates jobs, and gives creatives the opportunity to pursue their own dreams. I’ve learned that real leadership isn’t about control—it’s about community.

I now host the Real Talk with BELLA podcast, where I amplify inspiring voices and explore the realities of entrepreneurship, mental health, reinvention, and cultural identity. I also co-founded ETTWomen, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault—because I am one, too. And I know that our pasts don’t define us; they equip us.

My love for the Dominican Republic is woven into everything I do. I go back as often as I can. I bring my sazón, my music, and the incomparable joy that only a Dominican heart can hold. My story is made of merengue and plantains, blackout nights and my family’s tales—and the fire that drives those of us who dare to cross oceans chasing something more.

My name is Vanessa Coppes. I’m a mother, a wife, an immigrant, a media executive, Dominicana hasta la tambora—and a dreamer who turned her story into a platform for others.

This is not the end. It’s only a chapter in what continues to be an extraordinary journey.