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

Hi Caterine, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is necessary to grow and run a successful business. Without taking risks, you end up playing it safe and wondering what you could’ve accomplished if you stepped outside of your comfort zone. I don’t ever want to look back one day and think, ‘ Maybe if I had taken more risks I’d be in a better place.’ The unexpected trajectory of my career is defined by my commitment to take risks and follow my heart. When you pursue your passions and make bold, risky decisions you feel more accomplished and can achieve tremendous professional success. Following my successful career in law, I took a huge risk by moving to the United States and pursuing a career in fashion. Starting my business was a huge risk but it has proven to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I am endlessly grateful for the experiences and opportunities I have gained since starting my own fashion company! 

What should our readers know about your business?
I am extremely excited and proud to announce that my company, Way Forward, will be achieving its first anniversary in its first-ever, permanent West Village location in New York City. It has been a long-time coming and business has never been better. I am also thrilled to announce the official launch of my new jewelry line: My Secret Indulgence which is made of handcrafted, authentic emeralds sourced in Colombia. I have committed to creating a gorgeous jewelry line made up of stunning stones that give people the confidence to rock their jewelry no matter the occasion.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my career is that it’s important to be patient and consistent. There are various (and unforeseen) challenges within all sectors of my business. One example of this is the feeling of not accomplishing enough, feeling as though your business is not moving forward and growing in the way that you expected it to. However, everything you do, no matter how big or small, contributes to progress being made. One day you’re going to look back and see how far you’ve come and feel a deep sense of gratitude for all that you have accomplished. This is one of my many sources of motivation that pushes me to keep going and achieve more success within my company.

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.
Although it seems impossible to pick all of my favorite spots for the perfect day in New York given how many amazing things there are to do in the city, I would probably start by renting Citi bikes to ride around Central Park. While this could be considered cliché, biking in New York is one of the best ways to escape the hectic and fast-paced nature of the city and enjoy the outdoors. After that, we’d grab lunch at Mamo, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I recommend the truffle pizza or the veal, which are both delicious options. Next, we’d walk around the Highline which is a fantastic public park that offers amazing views of the city. Following that, we’d walk throughout the West Village and check out some of the many amazing stores that neighborhood has to offer, like Way Forward! While I would consider the West Village to be my favorite neighborhood in the city, the Lower East Side is home to one of my favorite bars; Double Chicken. A drink and some small bites to eat at this place is the perfect end to my day in the city!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Since the start of my company Way Forward, I have been blessed with an immense amount of love and support from various different people. Due to the fact that so many have contributed to my career’s success, it is nearly impossible for me to name just one specific person. While my mom has influenced and inspired me in so many ways, I am indebted to every single person who has been involved in the development of my brand. I hold an immense amount of gratitude and respect for these people, and they know who they are!

Website: https://wayfrwrd.com/pages/press

Instagram: wayfrwrd

Image Credits
Riccardo Piazza

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