About

Caroline Colom Vásquez has built her expertise over nearly three decades as a creative entrepreneur, mental health counselor, educator, and designer. Her professional career began as the founder and CEO of Paloma's Nest, one of the most widely recognized brands and shops in the handmade world. What started as a tiny solo venture at the kitchen table, Paloma's Nest quickly grew to be one of the top selling leaders in the handmade movement, growing into a bustling studio and showroom employing six full time artisans and staff members.

As a product designer, Caroline's creative work has been featured in numerous design and lifestyle publications, including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Elle Decor, Vogue, Magnolia Journal, and Better Homes and Gardens magazines, to name a few. Her pieces have been featured on Good Morning America and The Today Show, and have graced the pages of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. InStyle Magazine named Paloma's Nest one of the "Best Online Shops on the Web" and Huffington Post named the shop one of the "Top Sites for Unique Gifts." Fast Company Magazine used the term "Handmade Mogul" (blushing!) in their 2010 article titled "Next Decade Dream Jobs."

While running Paloma’s Nest, Caroline continued to explore her definition of “creative entrepreneur,” and identified and named a need for education and consulting services specific to business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, and designers who lacked the foundation, support, and community essential to grow their business and become confident professionals. She recognized that the support they needed was not just leadership or management training— but rather support that empowered and encouraged them, and addressed the personal struggles most common in creatives and solo start-ups. In 2009, she formed Handcrafted Consulting as a place to connect with and support those on this journey, and worked with CEOs and founders from all corners of the design, event, education, and e-commerce fields. Caroline returned to school and earned a Masters in Mental Health Counseling and a Masters in Education to broaden her areas of expertise, and in doing so, her career trajectory changed from “CEO and business owner” to “helping professional and marketing expert.” She retired Paloma’s Nest in 2022, after 15 successful years, to focus on bringing her marketing, communications, and consulting skills to even more clients and brands ranging from non-profits to educational institutions and practitioners in the wellness and mental health sectors.

Caroline has been quoted in Inc. Magazine, The New York Times, and in business books including The Solopreneur by Larry Keltto, 21st Century Careers by Scholastic Publishing, and Spark and Hustle by Tory Johnson. She served as an editor for the most recent editions of the book Starting an Etsy Business in the "For Dummies" series, and was a regular contributor for the popular business blog PoppyTalk. Caroline has been invited to speak at a variety of entrepreneurial events, including ALTsummit, MakerMentors, and The Simple Plan, and previously served as the in-house marketing consultant for the renowned web design firm, Aeolidia. After many years of working at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Caroline now serves as a Senior Director of Strategic Communications for a non-profit educational institute that focuses on the neuroscience of trauma, Polyvagal Theory, and nervous system health. She continues to work with select private clients (like you!) to build brand identities, develop brand voices, and support business goals with innovative content and design.

With this professional experience in graphic and web design, product design and e-commerce, marketing, public relations, and the fields of mental health, wellness, and education, Caroline can coach you through the beginning basics of starting your business, marketing your services, or determining what comes next for you, your business, or your non-profit. Her entrepreneurial background, coupled with her knowledge and understanding of counseling (and the empathy that goes along with it!), enables Caroline to provide comprehensive and personalized mentoring and support for any professional looking to take their business to the next level.

Contact Caroline today and begin embodying the business and brand you've imagined!