Member Stories
resetreality
resetreality is an art-focused brand located in the Bronx that honors the curious life through a wide variety of greeting cards, original art, and art prints for home decor. The company is owned by artist Vanessa Lee, who started the business after realizing she didn’t see herself approaching galleries and the traditional art world for an audience. “I figured starting my own business was the next best thing and I’ve been at it for fifteen years!” Vanessa says. Starting so young meant making many mistakes along the way, but Vanessa is grateful for organizations like Made in NYC that connect her to other small businesses for support and guidance.
What makes resetreality unique is Vanessa’s determination to stay true to herself and remain open to what comes her way as a small business owner. “My refusal to niche down and to bring my whole self to my small business has always been my strength. I think more examples of people making stuff for other people is a hopeful act in a market so obsessed with prioritizing profit over humanity.”
Vanessa values courage and authenticity in her journey as an AAPI business owner. “For me, it’s been about being brave enough to blaze the trail and staying true to my core values. I’m always happy to see other AAPI business owners pursuing something creative and fulfilling.”
Vanessa hopes to make a significant impact in the AAPI community by encouraging others to explore their emotions through art. “It’s okay to explore your emotions through creative endeavors to heal generational trauma, and to have fun and find ways to love the people and things you love as much as possible.”
Looking to the future, Vanessa is excited about the potential of her newly launched website, shopresetreality.com. “It’s exciting to finally have my own platform for my business and I’m excited to see how it helps me find new avenues of business.”
Vanessa’s advice for other AAPI-owned businesses is to remember that building a business is an ongoing journey. “It’s an infinite game—it takes time to build something from the ground up.”