My Story
Discover my journey through creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Award-Winning Designer, Entrepreneur, and Industry Leader
I am a creative entrepreneur and the founder of The Artisan Group®, with a passion for connecting female artisans with meaningful and unique opportunities.
Through Valerie Guerrero Designs and The Artisan Group®, I have spent more than twenty-eight years helping artisans, designers, and creative entrepreneurs gain visibility through entertainment marketing, celebrity gifting, and strategic brand promotion.
Corporate Experience
Before launching Valerie Guerrero Designs in 2008 and founding The Artisan Group® in 2011, I built my career in leadership and design.
Leading With Creativity
I worked as a Senior Production Artist at Cisco in San Jose, California, following nearly a decade of leadership roles at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, where I managed the Creative Services operations and creative teams across multiple locations nationwide.
The Beginning of an Entrepreneurial Journey
A simple request from a friend to create a custom T-shirt in 2008 introduced me to the world of print-on-demand design and set me on an unexpected creative journey.
What began as one small project soon grew into BeezKneez Designs, followed by seven additional boutique shops featuring designer invitations, wedding stationery, baby announcements, and personalized paper goods. Creating products that help people celebrate life's most meaningful moments continues to be one of my greatest inspirations.
In 2010, my success on Zazzle earned me a promotion to the prestigious Platinum ProSeller level—an achievement made even more exciting because I skipped the Gold level entirely.
Read more about how Valerie got started in the entertainment industry, and what her passions are.
Creating Opportunities
Through The Artisan Group®, I have helped hundreds of artisans gain national exposure through celebrity gifting and television product placements. Featured opportunities have included collaborations connected to:
I have also partnered with prestigious gifting events surrounding major entertainment awards, creating opportunities for artisans to showcase their products and gain valuable celebrity exposure.
Hollywood Connections
As the founder of The Artisan Group®, I have created opportunities for artisan brands to gain exposure through:
Pre-award show red-carpet gift lounges
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Academy Awards gifting events
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Golden Globe gifting events
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MTV Movie Awards gifting events
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Celebrity gifting experiences
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Professional celebrity product photography
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Entertainment industry collaborations
Giving Back to the Community
Beyond my professional work, I am passionate about giving back and supporting causes that make a difference. My community involvement includes:
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Matching seniors with volunteer drivers for essential appointments
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Women's rights initiatives
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Local dog rescue organizations
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Teen voter registration efforts
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
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BoobieQ for Project Chemo Crochet
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The Joyful Child Foundation
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National Multiple Sclerosis Society
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Charitable initiatives through The Artisan Group®
Featured in
In 2012, I was recognized in Launch Her's Top 40 Under 40 list of women-owned brands and have been featured in national business publications for my entrepreneurial vision and innovative approach to artisan marketing.
Life Beyond Work
Today, I continue to discover, mentor, and support emerging creative talent while building opportunities that help artisans and designers thrive.
Outside my work, I enjoy life in sunny Santa Cruz, California, with my husband, Mario, and our two rescue pups, Marisol and Penelope.
Experience That Inspires
My resume highlights decades of experience in graphic design, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and entertainment industry collaborations.