Today we’d like to introduce you to Yely Romero.
Yely, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Starting [Acceso VIP Media & Promotions has been a journey built on passion, relationships, and a deep love for my community. We are a proud Hispanic family-owned business based in Grand Rapids, and what began in 2014 as a local radio show eventually grew into a full bilingual marketing and promotions company serving businesses across West Michigan.
My husband (Jesus Gomez) and I started as radio hosts for a local station, where we connected with many small businesses that sponsored our show. As we promoted these businesses through interviews, event hosting, emceeing, and community involvement, we realized how much we loved helping businesses grow and connecting people with resources, events, and opportunities. That passion inspired us to create Acceso VIP.
Over the years, Acceso VIP evolved from event promotion into a full-service bilingual marketing agency offering social media management, branding, video production, business consulting, advertising, and event coordination. Today, we have worked with more than 100 businesses and organizations, helping them reach diverse audiences in authentic and culturally relevant ways.
One thing that makes our company unique is that we truly understand the importance of representation and communication within multicultural communities, especially the Latino community. Many businesses want to connect with bilingual audiences but don’t always know how to do it effectively. Our mission is to bridge that gap with professionalism, creativity, and authenticity.
I’m very proud of how far we’ve come. Along the way, I’ve also had the opportunity to work in television at WKTV and radio WYCE 88.1 FM, collaborate with organizations like Downtown Grand Rapids Inc, YMCA, ArtPrize, Independent Bank, Celebration Cinema, and many others, and continue building relationships throughout the community. Receiving recognition as Hispanic Businessperson of the Year was also a very meaningful milestone for me personally and professionally.
What started as a simple idea and a microphone became a platform to uplift businesses, celebrate culture, and create opportunities for others. My journey has taught me that consistency, community relationships, and believing in your vision can truly open doors.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who I am today and what [Acceso VIP Media & Promotions has become.
Like many small business owners, one of the biggest struggles in the beginning was building credibility and getting people to believe in our vision. We started with very limited resources, and there were moments when we had to wear multiple hats at once from hosting events and creating content to managing clients, filming videos, editing, networking, and handling the business side ourselves.
Another challenge was balancing growth while staying authentic to our mission. As a bilingual and multicultural marketing company, we sometimes had to educate businesses on the importance of connecting genuinely with diverse communities rather than treating bilingual marketing as simply translating words. We worked hard to show the value of culturally relevant marketing and relationship-building.
There were also personal sacrifices along the way. Building a business while balancing family, school, media work, and community involvement has required a lot of discipline, long hours, and perseverance. There were times of uncertainty, financial pressure, and moments where opportunities did not go as planned. However, those experiences pushed me to grow stronger, become more creative, and continue learning.
One thing I’ve learned is that entrepreneurship is not only about business it’s also about resilience. Every obstacle taught me something valuable about leadership, communication, and believing in myself even during difficult moments.
Today, I look back and feel grateful for those struggles because they helped build the foundation of the company and strengthened my passion for helping others succeed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I am the Founder and CEO of [Acceso VIP Media & Promotions a bilingual marketing and media company based in Grand Rapids that specializes in helping businesses, nonprofits, and organizations connect authentically with diverse and multicultural audiences. Through marketing, television, radio, event promotion, social media management, branding, and community engagement, my mission has always been bigger than advertising it is about creating visibility, giving people a voice, and helping others feel represented.
What many people may not know is that part of my journey has also been deeply personal. One of the biggest challenges in my life was accepting my alopecia diagnosis. Losing my hair was emotionally difficult and affected my confidence for a long time. As a woman working in media, television, and public events, there were moments when I felt insecure and questioned whether people would still see me the same way.
Over time, I realized that my condition was not something to hide, but something that could help inspire others. Today, I feel free. I have learned to embrace myself fully, and one of the things I am most proud of is becoming a voice and source of encouragement for other women facing alopecia, insecurity, or personal struggles. I want women to know they are still beautiful, powerful, capable, and worthy of pursuing their dreams.
My business and media platforms have allowed me to transform pain into purpose. Through television interviews, radio, social media, and community work, I now have the opportunity to educate, motivate, and uplift others. I truly believe God gave me these tools and this platform for a reason not only to grow a business, but to connect with people, share stories, and remind others that their struggles do not define their future.
What sets me apart is that I lead with authenticity and heart. I do not simply market businesses; I build relationships and create meaningful connections within the community. Whether I am interviewing someone on television, emceeing an event, promoting a small business, or encouraging women through my personal story, I always try to make people feel seen, valued, and empowered.
I am most proud of the impact we have made through Acceso VIP supporting over 100 businesses, collaborating with major organizations throughout West Michigan, and building a platform that combines professionalism, culture, media, and purpose. For me, success is not only measured by growth, but by how many people you inspire along the way. In addition to my work in media and marketing, I am also a Certified Zumba instructor, and that has become another meaningful way for me to connect with people and inspire confidence. I truly love teaching my students, motivating them during classes, and creating an environment where they can feel happy, strong, and empowered. Seeing people smile, enjoy themselves, and forget about their stress for a moment is one of the most rewarding feelings for me. Fitness, like my business, is another platform where I can uplift others, encourage self-confidence, and remind people to become the best version of themselves mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that networking is not just about exchanging business cards it’s about building genuine relationships. The connections that have helped me grow professionally came from consistently showing up, supporting others, being authentic, and staying involved in the community.
What worked well for me was stepping outside of my comfort zone and saying “yes” to opportunities, even when I felt nervous or unprepared. I attended community events, volunteered, hosted interviews, collaborated with organizations, and focused on creating real connections instead of only looking for business opportunities. Over time, people began to trust my work, recommend my services, and open new doors for me.
I also believe mentorship can come in many forms. Some mentors may guide you directly, while others inspire you simply through their example, advice, or leadership. My advice is to find people whose values, work ethic, and integrity you admire — not just their success. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek guidance, and stay curious. Most importantly, be willing to learn continuously.
Another important thing is consistency. Relationships and opportunities are built over time, not overnight. I always try to support others first, celebrate other people’s success, and stay humble throughout the process. I believe that when you genuinely care about people and your community, networking becomes much more meaningful and natural.
Faith, perseverance, and authenticity have also played a huge role in my journey. I’ve learned that being yourself and leading with heart can open doors you never imagined possible.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on the scope of the project and client needs
- Customized bilingual marketing packages available for businesses, nonprofits, and events
- Free consultations offered to create personalized marketing strategies
- Flexible options available for social media management, branding, event promotion, and video production
- Collaborative long-term partnership options available for businesses looking to grow their brand visibility and community engagement through bilingual marketing and media exposure
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.acceso-vip.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accesovipgr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17G3NDt2k9/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/94790454/admin/dashboard/
- TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@acceso.vip.media
