Vanessa Marie Herrera
Vanessa (Ness) Herrera is an accomplished retail leader based in Del Rio, Texas, with over 16 years of experience in customer service and retail management. She currently serves as a Store Manager at Bath & Body Works, where she leads store operations with a strong focus on customer experience, team development, and operational excellence. Vanessa’s career reflects a steady progression from entry-level roles into leadership, built on consistency, ambition, and a deep commitment to growth. Vanessa began working at the age of 16 in customer service at a movie theater, where she discovered her passion for working with people. She initially pursued a path in healthcare, attending trade school and earning certifications as a medical assistant and pharmacy technician. However, after becoming a mother while still in high school, she pivoted her career path and entered retail. What began as a cashier role quickly evolved into a long-term career, as she recognized her natural ability to connect with people, learn quickly, and lead others. Over time, she advanced through supervisory and assistant store manager roles before stepping into her current leadership position. Throughout her career, Vanessa has been driven by a strong desire to grow, lead, and give back to those who inspired her. She is passionate about developing her teams and creating a supportive, people-first culture where employees feel valued and cared for, especially during high-demand seasons such as holidays and peak retail periods. In her current role, she oversees connections with her consumers, and giving the the most exceptional retail experience. Along with other factors such as labor management while prioritizing the well-being of her team through daily check-ins and consistent support. Vanessa is also been apart of a four-time Selling Excellence Summit award recipient, recognized among 192 stores nationwide, a reflection of her leadership, drive, and commitment to excellence.
• Medical Assistant Certification
• Pharmacy Technician Certification
• Trade School - Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician programs
• Selling Excellent Summit (SES) Winner - 4 times in 6 years
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my kids and my drive.I've always been a person that wanted more. I'm very curious - I always want to know the why, and the how. I want to show my kids that whatever they do and choose in life, ill be proud. I have expressed to them you don't have to put yourself in debt to be great at something. You could do it -Im living proof. I started with a thought and drive. If you put in the work, your passion,and your drive, you will succeed.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Strive for higher. Why put a limit on how high you can go.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell you - don't give up. Mess up over and over again. That's what you're supposed to do. Keep trying. If you fail, it's okay. Get up and do it again. Do everything you can. If you have the opportunity, seize it. Don't let it go by, don't let it go to waste.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is staying on top. It's asking, how high is high? And that's one of the challenges - when you get there, do you feel like you're at your peak? And if you're there, how do you keep yourself motivated, and how do you keep your team motivated to stay at the top. My opportunity is to pause and reflect, and let's look at the big picture. Let's ask the whys. Retail is not for the weak. In retail you need to always be ready for whats to come. Have those plans. Retail is evolving, we are putting our consumers front and center. So, how do you show up?
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that I connect with most is what we call Be United. It talks about the diversity and inclusion. The company that I work for, it doesn't matter - your background, or what you look like. Its what type of culture can you bring to life .Can you make this customer smile at the end of the day? Can you relate to them? Can you connect with them?