Vesna Deljosevic, an extraordinary entrepreneur who has traveled from a life growing up in the former Yugoslavia to CEO of Reforma Group, a thriving manufacturing company in the United States, is sharing her insights to energize aspiring entrepreneurs. Vesna’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and perseverance.
Reforma Group pioneers innovative skincare solutions, blending cutting-edge formulations with meticulous attention to quality.
Raised in a remote village, Vesna immigrated to the U.S. at age 15, facing cultural and linguistic barriers that many would find challenging.
“I started as a driven, impressionable young girl who arrived in the U.S. and was smitten with the American dream,” Vesna recalls. “Through years of hard work, experience, and drive, along with the knowledge I gained during my career, I was able to purchase a company and expand from a 3,000 sq ft manufacturing facility to a 100,000 sq ft facility.”
After acquiring her biology degree (minoring in Chemistry and political science) at Rutgers University in New Jersey, she worked on projects from household to health and beauty products while raising her son and supporting her family. She learned formulation working for global companies such as Playtex (now Edge), Reckitt Benkiser (Lysol), and Kao brands, Cincinnati Ohio.
“My strength in science was a gift. Science transcended language and allowed me to grow and find my love of chemistry and later my calling in life,” she explains. “I continued with my studies and earned a degree, married at the early age of 22, had a child, and divorced. After my divorce, I had to start over. I picked up and moved across the country to take a job so that I could give my son a better life. “This would be one of my best career moves.” Cultivating her creative and technical side, she also obtained her first patent.
Vesna moved to Michigan as a single mother and utilized her vast network of connections, which led to her breakthrough opportunity. “The owner of a manufacturing brand was looking for a partner, so I went back and offered to buy him out.” During the recession, Vesna created a business plan and gathered recommendation letters, but was turned down for an SBA loan. She liquidated her 401k and borrowed family money. Eight months later she was able to secure the SBA loan.
“I purchased my company in 2010 and went to work-doing everything. Finances, sales, operations, you name it, I did it,” she said. “I learned on the job, working as the CEO by day and at night filling bottles. When I bought my company, I had two vessels for making products
and a machine that filled two bottles at a time. My production employee would make products during the day, and I would fill them at night until the early morning hours. Another important lesson is that “entrepreneurs must do it all and work harder than anyone to succeed.”
Starting with limited resources, she wore many hats—CEO by day and production worker by night—to rebuild and grow her business. Today, her company serves national retailers with a diverse product line.
Reforma Group now has 70 full-time employees and supplies innovative hair, body, and skincare formulations for women, men, babies, and pets, as private labels for two 100 billion-to-300-billion-dollar companies, several independently owned brands, and drug, mass, and retail companies.
Through her love of science and relentless determination, she transformed roadblocks into stepping stones, building a career that spans chemistry, consumer goods, and business ownership.
Vesna’s Entrepreneurial Tips for Success:
- Start, Even if it’s Scary
“The hardest step is to begin,” says Vesna. Leaping into entrepreneurship often feels daunting, but courage is the first step toward success. - Believe in Yourself
Confidence is key. Vesna emphasizes, “No one will believe in you unless you do first.” - Love What You Do
Passion fuels perseverance. “To be an entrepreneur, you must love what you do,” she advises. - Embrace the Hard Work
Vesna’s journey underscores the importance of effort. “Expect to give your blood, sweat, and tears. You’ll work harder than you ever have.” - Learn from Every Experience
“Everything in life prepares you for what’s next,” Vesna reflects, citing Steve Jobs: “You cannot connect the dots looking forward, but you can always connect them looking back.”
An Inspiring Legacy
Vesna Deljosevic, the founder of Reforma Group, is more than an entrepreneur—she’s a mentor, role model, and source of hope for those facing adversity. From working with limited resources to growing her company 100% year over year, she exemplifies the power of vision, determination, and hard work.
For those dreaming of creating something bigger than themselves, Vesna’s story reminds them that success is within reach for those willing to fight for it.
To learn more about Reforma Group, visit its official website.
