Amelia Vega Exclusive Interview- Gets Down to Business | Entrevista Exclusiva con Lili Gil

Amelia Vega, Gets Down to Business
"From Miss Universe to Entrepreneur and Performing Artist"
With Lili Gil, Business Strategist, Media Contributor and co-Founder XL Alliance
Who said beauty and brains couldn't co-exist? According to former Miss Universe, entrepreneur, artist and proud Latina Amelia Vega, "yes you can be beautiful and smart...no one said it was easy [but] it is possible".
While most tend to stereotype the world of pageants as superficial, when you look the contestants embody discipline, preparation and tenacity that in many cases lead them to successful paths in life and businesses after the pageant. Many of the traits that make them winners are the same traits that turn them into successful business women and entrepreneurs. For Amelia Vega winning Miss Universe not only gave her a tremendous platform to amplify her reach and goals, but also brought her into the inner circle of one of America's most recognized business icons Donald Trump. She observed and learned from his professionalism, which combined with her ambition has resulted in a very successful life after the crown.
In a personal encounter just hours before performing at the Miss Dominican Republic U.S. pageant in New York city, Amelia Vega got down to business in an exclusive interview. With her memorable warm spirit and charisma, the beautiful Dominican shared facets of her life that have shaped her and talked about life-elements that have made her stronger like her faith, family and the inspiration of her grandma.

While the outer world sees her on stages, on red carpets, on glamorous pictures and even Donald Trump calls her one of his "favorite Miss Universes", deep inside lays a humble woman full of passion and dreams.
When it comes to the many stereotypes around beauty pageants, she challenged the true meaning of the word beauty. "Beauty is such a huge word" said Amelia, "it's not just external beauty...you have to work deep into it. Thankfully my grandma tough me how to cultivate it and really made me think about things and search what makes [me] you happy"
But of course, while her own definition of beauty may be clear it is evident that most under-mind potential or business savvy of a beauty queens. When asked about her biggest barriers as a woman, Latina and former beauty queen, she was quick to articulate that "you plan those barriers yourself". In her case, her aspirations to become a performing music artist date back to her teenage years when she recorded her first demo at the age of 15. "No one was going to come and knock on my door [to recod my album]... so, I have to do it myself", said Amelia. This is why two years ago she created her own label SuperNova Entertainment and kicked-off her project. Her album "Agua Dulce" just released last August 30th, 2011 making her dream come true. Amelia's ultimate goal was singing, and although her uncle, Juan Luis Guerra, had always been and is her musical guide and inspiration, she was determined to achieve this on her own merit. So waiting this long was not a delay but an intentional path and trampoline that worked best at the end. She calls is "the beautiful mysteries that God brings". "He planted those seeds there...I am a woman now, I know what I am talking about, I am passionate about it, I have reasons and I am in love with this project. He did it perfectly. It is the right experience at the right moment now. Meanwhile the distractions were great!" said Amelia.
Besides her artistic career, Amelia is also the owner of the boutique Essence by Amelia Vega with stores in Miami which she opened when she was 23. She is planning to open more locations in New York and the Dominican Republic in the near future.
In closing, her advice to young women and Latinas to win in life and business is to "trust in yourself...you have to plant those seeds every morning. It's not something that you are born with...start trusting and following your gut feeling...dream everyday in life, but also wake up and work hard to make those dreams become a reality. Get good people around you and work hard because it pays off, it really does" said Amelia.
For more information about Amelia Vega and her new album visit www.ameliavega.net.