Meet Tina van der Ven | CEO, vdV Consulting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tina van der Ven and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started a brand-new company, vdV Consulting, which specializes in business development, marketing, strategy, community relations and legal recruiting. After some time and deep introspection, I decided to pursue my passions and build something new, meaningful and impactful. I have worked in the corporate world, at renowned companies including Greenberg Traurig and Ernst & Young. Then, I co-founded a marketing-communications company and obtained invaluable industry, agency and business experience. After almost 20 years of being in the marketing profession, I was finally ready for this next chapter in my life. I believe in the power of effective and strategic marketing to drive business success and enjoy working with a wide range of clients and industries. We are not just a company focused on being “marketing consultants,” but we are also trusted advisors who genuinely care about every facet of our client’s business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
vdV Consulting focuses on helping clients develop and implement effective marketing and communication strategies to increase their brand awareness and grow their businesses.

What sets the company apart from others is our deep understanding of the various industries we represent, our extensive marketing experience working both the client and corporate sides, and our personalized and tailored approach to each client. We believe that every business or individual is unique, and therefore, we tailor our strategies to meet the specific needs and goals of each client. We are accountable, reliable, and passionate about the work that we do. We genuinely care about the quality of our deliverables and the clients we serve.

I am most proud of the results that we have been able to achieve for clients. Seeing them attain ongoing success and watching their businesses grow and thrive is incredibly rewarding, and it is what drives us to continue to provide the best possible service.

The lessons I learned along the way are many, but perhaps the most important one is that success does not happen overnight. It comes with “blood, sweat and tears” – with years of hard work, commitment, optimism and passion, a proven track record, and a willingness to listen, adapt and learn. I also recognize the importance of building strong relationships with our clients, as this is what enables us to earn their trust and truly understand their core needs and deliver the results they are looking for.

What I want the world to know about our brand and story is that we are passionate about helping clients grow and shine. We see the incredible potential in everyone we represent and believe in each of our clients and their goals.

I am forever grateful for the incredible outpouring of genuine love and support from clients, colleagues, friends and family with the establishment of vdV Consulting. They make life better just by being in it! I will continue “to do what I love, and love what I do,” while also giving back to this incredible community that has rallied by my side.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Miami for five days, and I wanted to show them an exceptional time, I would follow the following curated itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Miami
• Kickstart the day off with breakfast at B Bistro + Bakery in Coconut Grove. Their avocado toast is delicious.
• Uber to Miami Beach and spend the afternoon relaxing on the sand and dipping into the turquoise waters.
• For lunch, keep it simple and grab a sandwich or salad at La Sandwicherie – don’t forget to get a double order of their delicious French Vinaigrette sauce.
• Take a stroll through the Art Deco Historic District and get inspired by the vibrant buildings and architecture.
• Head to Little Havana for dinner at Versailles – a Miami staple.
• Top off the tropical vibes with drinks and dancing at Ball & Chain.

Day 2: Yoga, Arts and Shopping
• Awaken the mind, body, and soul with a morning yoga class with Mimi Ghandour at Mimi Yoga located in Wynwood. You will love the sheer magic of Mimi!
• Head over to Zak the Baker for delicious post-workout fuel.
• Walk around the Wynwood Arts District to see the colorful street art murals and stop by the Wynwood Walls to muse among a curated collection of graffiti.
• Spend the afternoon shopping at the Design District, an incredible shopping destination with fabulous designers, design, art, architecture, and dining. Grab coffee and a snack at OTL or Pura Vida.
• Cap the day with a culinary tour de force at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink – the food, drinks and service are excellent!

Day 3: Bike Riding, The Grove and The Miami Heat
• Embark on a morning bike ride through the picturesque streets of Coconut Grove and explore the hidden gems and the waterfront.
• Check out the incredible stores in the area, including Books & Books, Aesop, The Showroom and The Bazaar Project.
• Fuel up with a delicious modern Lebanese meal at Amal and order the fattoush salad, the dip sampler, truffle rakakat and essentially everything on the menu!
• Treat ourselves to gelato at Bianco Gelato and head over to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a stunning Italian Renaissance-style villa and gardens on Biscayne Bay.
• End the day in true Heat Nation style with tickets to a Miami Heat game. Go Heat!

Day 4: SoulCycle, Art and Joe’s
• Get energized with a morning SoulCycle spinning class with Allison Santini in their Coral Gables location. Allison has the best vibes and great music.
• Enjoy a wonderful lunch outside at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus. Their popovers with strawberry butter and chicken broth starter are to die for!
• Drive to the Perez Art Museum Miami and walk around and enjoy the incredible modern and contemporary art.
• Enjoy an unforgettable dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab, a seafood institution in Miami Beach. Don’t forget to order the key lime pie!

Day 5: Water Sports, Italian Food and a Toast to Miami
• Set sail by chartering a boat at the marina in Miami Beach and check out the stunning homes of South Beach while indulging in water sports, jet skiing and fishing.
• Can’t leave Miami without a farewell dinner at Fiola, one of my favorite restaurants in Miami. I know Tom Angelo will provide a memorable dining experience for us.
• Raise a glass to the week at La Terraza, a private rooftop restaurant and lounge, and reflect on the amazing five days we had together!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a HUGE shout out to my two beautiful kids and my husband, Alex. My son and daughter give me unconditional strength, love, and support. They are kind, wise, empathetic, and the epitome of love and light. They inspire me and challenge me to always be my best. They are incredibly excited about the launch of vdV Consulting and are so proud of it! Their encouragement and belief in me have been instrumental in helping me pursue my dreams and turn my passion into a reality.

My husband, Alex, has been by my side for 22 years and I am grateful for his unwavering love and support throughout my professional and personal journey. He has been there every step of the way, encouraging me to pursue my dreams, cheering me on when I succeeded, and comforting me when I faced setbacks. Without his belief in me, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve all that I have so far. He is truly my rock, and I feel blessed to have him by my side.

Lastly, I want to give a special thanks to my parents, my mother, Mary and my late father, Tom. My parents fled the war in Iran in 1979 when I was three months old and eventually arrived in Florida and had to figure out a way to support a family of five (and eventually six). They ended up purchasing the oldest body shop in Fort Lauderdale – it was the only work that my dad could find in South Florida at the time. For the next 40 years of my life, I watched my father work six days a week at the shop, along with my mother who helped him run the business. My parents embody the American Dream. Through their hard work, sacrifices and efforts, they were able to send my siblings and I to great schools and they pushed us to work hard to attain a bright and successful future in this country. My strong work ethic and dedication to clients, my love for marketing and business development, my entrepreneurial spirit, and my commitment to philanthropy — all of this comes from shadowing and learning from my parents. Their life story is a testament that success comes through perseverance, sacrifices, and sweat equity.

Instagram: @vdvconsulting

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-van-der-ven-1521136/

Image Credits
Credit: Melissa Guerrero