VANESSA MITERA ENTERPRENEURSHIP MENTORING FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN

Vanessa Mitera, a former employee at PayPal, is the founder of Eden and Empire, a platform designed to assist Christian women in establishing businesses while keeping their faith a priority. She provides guidance in branding and business strategy grounded in biblical values, helping women find harmony between their faith, career, and family. Vanessa shared her personal journey in an interview with *Authority Magazine*.

Motivation for Her New Journey

Vanessa draws inspiration from individuals who reinvent themselves later in life. Notable examples include Jeff Bezos, who transitioned from Wall Street to founding Amazon; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who evolved from a WWE wrestler to a successful actor; Arnold Schwarzenegger, who switched from bodybuilding to becoming a governor; and Ray Kroc, who began as a milkshake machine salesman before establishing McDonald's at age 50.

As the founder of Eden & Empire, Vanessa aims to empower Christian entrepreneurs through mentorship, fostering growth while remaining faithful to core values. She emphasizes that achieving significant goals doesn't mean compromising one’s sacred beliefs.

Influences from Her Childhood

Vanessa's upbringing instilled in her a sense of duty, perseverance, and the belief that anyone can start from any position to create something meaningful without abandoning their values

**Inspiration for Her Second Chapter*

As the creator of Eden & Empire, Vanessa’s mission is to empower Christian entrepreneurs through mentorship, promoting growth while staying true to core values. She believes you don’t have to sacrifice your sacred values to achieve something Influencia

She once thought enduring tough times was a sign of strong leadership. Balance she learned that challenges only go away when we learn the lessons they bring us. For her, this has shown up as burnout, perfectionism, and the need for validation.

Vanessa realized that ignoring problems only causes them to come back stronger. This understanding encouraged her to face discomfort, heal, and be a true leader in her business and personal life.

Key Qualities Contributing to Success

Reflecting on her achievements, Vanessa highlights three key qualities that have driven her success:

1. Discernment

Vanessa learned to pause before making commitments and to let go of opportunities that do not align with her values. This applies to clients, partnerships, and ideas that seem good but don’t fit with her calling.

2. Conviction

She builds her brand with intention. Speaking openly about faith may have cost her some followers, but she prioritizes being authentic over pleasing societal expectations.

3. Follow-through

Vanessa may not be the loudest person, but she is dependable. She keeps her promises and follows through on her commitments, even when it’s easier to back out.

Career Journey: The Road to the Second Chapter

Before launching her second chapter, Vanessa spent 11 years in corporate investigations at a global fintech firm. This fast-paced job sharpened her analytical thinking and people-first approach, helping her develop effective systems. During this time, she balanced motherhood while building her business in photography, branding, and marketing.

When her youngest son lost his daycare spot, she faced a choice. After praying for guidance, she decided to leave her corporate job to fully engage in entrepreneurship and motherhood, allowing her to be present at home while following her calling. As she managed Mitera Branding, she shifted her focus to supporting women in building businesses that reflect their faith and personal lives, leading to the creation of Eden & Empire.