Meet Aranzy Castillo | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aranzy Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aranzy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Viva Lavanda is run by Aranzy and Vilma; a couple of best friends who took the biggest risk of their life in order to follow their dreams of becoming business owners. They lived comfortably in their 9-5 lives but always knew something was missing, so they left their jobs and worked hard to open up their own shop in Mission, Texas. Unfortunately, everything ended before it even began. So they had to go back to their hometown in Brownsville, Texas and continue to work in order to save up money, attend local small business markets, and they began hosting candle making workshops in art galleries that would give them the opportunity to do so. This was how they met Shelly Losee, owner of The Art Lounge in South Padre Island, Texas. They were given the opportunity to work on manufactoring their candles from there, sell their candles, and continue to host candle making workshops at the gallery. They believe that without taking risks for their business, Viva Lavanda would not be where it is today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Vilma and Aranzy have known each other since they were ten years old, but strengthened their friendship all through high school during their years in art class. Vilma is an artist and creative that focuses on experimenting with mixed media apart from candle making. Aranzy is also an artist and creative that focuses on photography and media apart from candle making. It is an understatement to say that focusing on starting their own business has been difficult but it has all been worth it. Being able to share with South Padre’s locals and tourists all about candle making is what makes everything so excited and what sets Viva Lavanda apart from other candle making businesses. As many of you may know, working on a business can become expensive so apart from living their business owner dreams, Vilma and Aranzy also work part time. Vilma works at a local Children’s Museum in Brownsville, Texas and Aranzy is a personal trainer also in Brownsville. Knowing that some day they will be able to do what they love as a full time career gives them comfort.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
During their time in South Padre Island, Texas Shelly has taken the girls out to several hot spots which includes F&B fine dinning, The Art Business Incubator, Dolphin watch tours, and of course The Art Lounge. The hottest spots to visit fine art include The Art Lounge and the Art Business Incubator. Both galleries host many art classes and events which make time at the Island so much fun. F&B fine dinning has the most amazing cocktails and savory dishes! We often go after an art event at the Island. The dolphin watch tours during sunset are the most beautiful experiences ever! We highly recommend for visitors to enjoy these places in South Padre Island during their time here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shelly Losee, owner of The Art Lounge in South Padre Island, Texas is a huge part of our small business journey. She always encourages Vilma and I (Aranzy) to find the positive side of everything we do; wether business is slow or we may feel burnt out, Shelly always has an inspiring word for us. She is the person who has opened many opportunities for Viva Lavanda, a candle and spaline small business.

Website: theartloungespi.com

Instagram: vivalavanda.candles

Facebook: Viva Lavanda

Other: Find us on tiktok! @vivalavanda.candles

Image Credits
Credits: By.aranzyc Photography