Meet Caroline Vassiliades | Experience Designer & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Caroline, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I felt called to do something bigger than myself. It was definitely a gut feeling. I needed to do something in service of others that created space for vulnerability. From my own past experiences, trauma, and the resulting mind-body disconnection, I wanted to do anything in the realm of helping others feel seen and like their stories matter.

When I went through my own struggles, I realized there wasn’t a place for our personal stories that was easily accessible in person or even online. I wanted to create a space for these stories to breed inspiration and hope for anyone who might need the reminder that others are in this human experience with you. I also wanted a way to connect humans on a vulnerable, honest level – I think in our digital age we’re really missing that!

So with Stories On, it has started as a physical event but I want it to spread to the digital space so people all over the world can access stories when they want to feel like someone can relate, find hope, or see examples of people experiencing huge wins in life that they too can have!

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.
I’ve been so fortunate to have a very non-linear, fun career so far. Out of college, I moved directly to New York to pursue a career in production and found a home in commercial production in advertising. It was a wild ride filled with some of the funniest, coolest, smartest people I’d only dream of knowing. I miss them (shoutout to them). After a handful of years in New York, I moved into a hybrid production role at an ad agency in San Francisco learning a little about digital production (building websites, apps, etc) and a lot about live event production. It was an exciting, always-on job with so much creativity flowing through it, but I felt a draw to work more directly with humans and their experiences.

I thrived on the energy of live events, but wanted to create impactful improvements in people’s everyday lives. After lots of research and having an affinity for business, I found user experience design. UX had the combination of business, psychology, and creativity that I was looking for. In 2019, I quit my ad job in SF and enrolled in a 3-month UX design boot camp. I was lucky to have savings to help me through those few months. I also walked a lot of dogs which I’d recommend to anyone! Extra cash and the serotonin from a furry friend? Easy win! After the boot camp, I scoured for side gigs to build up a portfolio. There were many tears, many rejection emails, and many, many thoughts of moving home. However, I never let the rejection emails surpass the number of cold emails, LinkedIn messages, and follow-ups. In my book, I was putting in the work!

Finally, two weeks before COVID hit, it paid off. I landed a job at a startup based in Atlanta and this new chapter as a UX designer began. I was very fortunate to have been employed through COVID regardless of the timing. I’ve been in UX design for 3 years now and it’s been quite the journey! I’ve discovered so much about my strengths and weaknesses in tech. I’ve discovered how my former career as a producer has given me a robust set of skills to excel in this job. And more than anything, I realized that the main purpose of my work is to help others live easy, peaceful lives.

With that purpose in mind, the idea for Stories On just clicked. I know there is no version of losing or failure in the act of helping others feel like they matter and find their own version of peace. I hope to grow my professional career to continue impacting people in a positive way. If Stories On brings connection and joy into just one person’s life, I’ll feel like I’ve done the work I was meant to do.

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.
I’m still relatively new to Denver so these may not be that unique BUT first, we’d get drinks at El Five for the view, followed by Safta for the food… *chef’s kiss*. Depending on the season, we’d hit Copper Mountain for a ski day because the vibes are always right OR Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. I feel like RMNP is one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Just has to be said. Ideally, we’d go in spring so they can experience hiking in the snow when it’s warm. I love how Colorado loves to play around with all the seasons at once. Do your thing, CO! Obviously, we’d hit up RiNo for a beer at Ratio and some light to heavy shopping at the market next door. Because I like to include my pup Ruby in most things, we’d go to Wash Park to people-watch and just be out in the sun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My coach Margo Fosbery has been my personal archaeologist! She’s helped me uncover my hidden talents and face the fears that have now allowed me to do the things that are meant for me. She is beyond gifted with her wisdom and guidance. Margo, you are truuuly the best.

My family. My siblings and parents show up for me in the most incredible ways even when though we all are scattered all over the country. I feel the love from afar!

Instagram: @ourstorieson, @carolinevassiliades