Hi! I’m Amanda, the heart and soul behind Velvet Zen. This isn’t just a brand, it’s the story of a girl who was once told her creativity was wrong, a woman who found strength through her struggles, and a dreamer who decided to create a space where everyone could embrace who they truly are and have fun creating their style.

Where it All Began

When I was little, all I ever wanted was to create. My world was filled with art, drawing, painting, crafting, dancing- anything that allowed me to express my heart and mind. But somewhere in my teenage years, that totally carefree and confident little artist became something she wasn’t. I struggled deeply with ADHD, which made everything harder. I was placed in special education because my brain just didn’t work the way other’s did. I fought to keep up, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t fit in. My art teachers told me I didn’t have what it takes, and that only deepened the pain.

I sank into severe depression. I rebelled. I acted out. And when I did, I was punished and isolated even further. Getting grounded meant no friends, no social life, just hours alone in my room. And that’s when I did what I always did to survive, I created. I turned my small space into an art sanctuary.

One day, I painted my desk, covered it with poetry, colors, and scrapbook magazines. It was beautiful- a little nook full of art where I could be my creative self.

When my dad came home and saw the mess I made, his reaction shattered me. He screamed at me, destroyed my art, smashed it to pieces, and dragged it out to the curb with the trash. In that moment, I felt like I was being told that the very thing that made me who I was, my creativity, was wrong. That my heart’s expression was something to be ashamed of.

Finding Strength Through Seniors

For years, I tried to bury that little girl. I did my best to fight my brain, to be like everyone else. After high school, I found my way into healthcare as a nursing assistant in New York. I loved it but my first hospital job, working in the emergency room and trauma center was exhausting.

A few years in, I began traveling the east coast, exploring different careers in the healthcare system. During interviews, I convinced myself that if I walked in with confidence, I could do anything. And it totally worked. I worked my way through the ranks, learning from some of the most incredible mentors, completeing tasks that only registered nurses and social workers were qualified to do. Before I knew it, I had built a pretty impressive resume with no college experience.

Throughout my healthcare career, I fell in love with caring for the elderly and traded the hospital life for nursing homes and assisted livings. Hearing their stories, learning their wisdom, and holding their hands in their final days really meant the world to me.

I didn’t just work for a paycheck, I found so much joy in it. The seniors I’d meet became like family to me, especially because I moved away from home in my early 20’s. Having 100 grandmas and grandpas adopt you was something so special and heartwarming.

In my last role, I became the Activities Director at a local nursing home, where I had the privilege of leading a team and bringing creativity to life every day. Now that was when the magic happened!

Bringing Creativity Back

Being surrounded by seniors who had lived so many lives, some filled with hardship, loss, and resilience, inspired me to bring a little fun and light into their world. But, it was now my responsibility to get 80-90 year olds out of bed after they’ve lost their homes, spouses, and felt like they were just waiting to be next in line to pass away. Absolutely heartbreaking. Try getting those seniors gathered together to do anything but Bingo. I promise, it’s really freaking hard!

In an attempt to get the women engaged in the home, I started a “Fashion Club” where we dressed up in vintage clothes from their past. I’d even dress up myself, though I was often the one they laughed at, but i didn’t matter because I got to make them laugh. I could see the spark in their eyes, the joy in their faces, and the stories that flowed out with each outfit.

They taught me about the designers, the heels, the big hats they wore in their youth, and I learned from them in ways I never expected. They told me I was giving them their lives back. But deep down, I was giving myself something too. I was finally allowing creativity to flow freely again.

The Struggles Behind the Scenes

But behind the scenes, things weren’t so easy in my personal life. I was struggling financially living alone as a divorced woman, trying to make ends meet. There were days I didn’t have enough to eat, and I’d even resort to stealing groceries to get by. It was dark, but every day, I woke up and went to work with the seniors, and they made everything worth it.

Then one day, I decided to start selling some of the vintage items I found. What began as a way to make extra money to afford my bills, turned into something much bigger. People loved the items I had, and I had a gift for curating them without even realizing it. Soon, I was posting on Instagram, and my posts were going viral! I couldn’t figure out why, but it felt surreal. People started showing up to meet me at local markets, and the world opened up in a way I had never imagined.

Healing and Embracing My Inner Child

Around this time, I began therapy. My therapist helped me see my ADHD for what it truly was- my superpower. When my therapist said this, I sobbed. It was the first time anyone had ever spoken positively about it. It changed everything. I realized I had to heal my inner child, and she healed through creativity. She healed through dressing up, expressing herself, and helping other women do the same.

That’s when Velvet Zen was born.

Velvet Zen Today

Velvet Zen is a place where there are no rules. A space where you can dress up, express yourself, heal your inner child, and be your most authentic self. It’s a place for those of us who feel different, who’ve been told we’re too much, or not enough. Here, we celebrate all of it- the mess, the beauty, the flaws, and the triumphs.

I created Velvet Zen for the little girl who was told her creativity was wrong. For the woman who still struggles to believe in herself. For the soul who needs to reconnect with the art of self-expression and joy. Velvet Zen is a reminder that you are enough, exactly as you are, and your creativity is your superpower.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to heal, create, and sparkle together.

XO