Vanessa Fukunaga, Ocean Blue World Owner, Publisher | CEO: ‘We Go that Extra Mile to Help our Clients Achieve their Goals and Take Pride in the Organization with regards to Professionalism, Honesty, Integrity, and Dependability’

“We always keep our eye on the prize and look ahead; the only time we look back is to reflect.”

 Ocean Blue World is a global, luxury networking platform where brands, partners, collaborators, and discerning readers experience 360-degree signature services directed for and by the emerging luxury lifestyle market. The company is committed to delivering premium lifestyle opportunities and leveraging game-changing results; it delivers only the best of the best: magazine, events, experiences, social media, digital, luxury toys, productions and sponsorships.

Vanessa Fukunaga: Interview Highlights

Why was the company set up? And how did you expand your company and its offerings over the years?

It all began in 2013 with just the magazine – Ocean Blue Magazine – with the high-end destination of Los Cabos, Mexico being the inspiration behind it all. I used my experiences of traveling around the world to highlight and promote a variety of luxury lifestyle experiences and product services, with a touch of Mexico sprinkled throughout. The setting up stage was the perfect example that echoed a message of aligning a personal passion with how that same passion can serve a purpose in the world of business.

Over the years, Ocean Blue Magazine expanded into Ocean Blue World, with the heart of the platform being the magazine. From the beginning, strategic initiatives were put into play to ensure we always stay leading edge and at the forefront of the industry. We are consistently searching for new ways to promote the luxury goods and services found on the platform through innovative means – including a heavy digital aspect, tailored high-profile #OceanBlueEvents and #OceanBlueExperiences, special alliances, and collaborations with the best of the best in the industry – targeting all demographics.

How successful was your first project roll on? Share the experience.

It was highly successful! Our very first magazine with Enrique Iglesias #OnTheCover (23 editions ago) truly raised the bar as a collection of must-read stories of fashion, art, entertainment, travel, health, dining, real estate, and more. Our international readership was (and is) taken around the globe on a journey to discover modern-day luxuries and the inspirational moments and people of the time. It was this initial issue that really set the scene as our first print magazine, and over the years, the magazine itself and Ocean Blue World in its entirety, have expanded into a leading and global PR/media/ branding luxury platform.

What challenges did you face in your initial years? What can your peers learn from it?

Introducing the brand, starting the brand from scratch, and getting the brand awareness out. We are now in a fortunate position where the brand has grown and really created a life of its own. The learning opportunities that were brought about over this time revolved around always driving the brand forward with initiative and to be constantly seeking out ¨that next big move¨.

“Earning trust and respect of consumers all around the world is through consistent focus on delivering high quality in all of our actions.” How do you interpret this statement?

This statement resonates so much with us – this is a part of our company´s vision and mission statement and is paramount. We represent our clients in a fully professional manner providing honest, dependable, and accommodating premium services, reaching to exceed client expectations. We go that extra mile to help our clients achieve their goals and take pride in the organization with regards to professionalism, honesty, integrity, and dependability.

Fostering a culture of feedback is crucial to the success of every organization. How is this true with your company?

Very much so. Our culture is a collaborative one – there is a constant circulation of feedback, brainstorming, and opportunities for creativity. This open-style forum for collaboration certainly furthers the success of our organization. I feel a responsibility as a leader — to not only enable my teams to know their own strengths, but also to have a voice in our organizations and to work in unity.

How do you stay relevant to the consumer interests and needs in this highly volatile market?

With my experience in global product management, we are able to leverage tech offerings providing leading-edge solutions for our clients, all the while marrying the sales and promotional aspect of tech services. Additionally, we work hard to ensure a focus on the new communication generation, adopting trend setting messages that create impact and social influence.

Customer service varies, but companies can still be successful. How do you maintain your customers’ trust and loyalty?

We are a genuine company and really do live by the golden rule of professionalism, honesty, integrity, and dependability. If we say we are going to do it, we do it. For example, in early 2019, we hosted the renowned Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat – a world-wide event for top real estate professionals belonging to the exclusive Who´s Who in Luxury Real Estate network. This created a host of exciting opportunities that we committed to with our Ocean Blue World clientele. We used this one-of-a-kind opportunity to leverage every possible client through strategic marketing and events – everything from private dinners to touring events, to tequila tasting sessions, company booths, and giveaways/gift bags.

What factors make your company lead the current market?

We always keep our eye on the prize and look ahead. The only time we look back is to reflect. We look ahead to examine what can we be doing that´s bigger, better, and more efficient. We ask ourselves — what is the next tech solution, who is our next client, and what are the ways in which we can better service our clients.

How does your company contribute to the global IT platform?

Having identified very early on that we were more than a magazine, there was a significant need to grow our digital aspect and this really pushed us in terms of expansion of the website, video and photo productions, social media, and the likes.

Do you have any new products ready to be launched?

All the time – stay tuned for all the moves set to take the luxury brand to the next level!

With regard to corporate social responsibility, what has Ocean Blue World’s role been like?

In terms of sustainability, we have expanded our digital platforms, thereby positively impacting the environment. Furthermore, in every edition we highlight sustainable goods, products, companies and services, focusing on the long-term ecological balance that includes the way people build their homes, in addition to development projects. We believe in our corporate social responsibility for the sustained development of Los Cabos and the protection of natural resources worldwide.

The Woman Behind Ocean Blue World: Vanessa Fukunaga

Vanessa Fukunaga is the Owner, Publisher | CEO of Ocean Blue World and the Owner, President | CEO of Engel & Völkers Snell Real Estate. She has tremendously elevated the level of professionalism in the publishing, media and branding sectors, as well as the luxury real estate industry performing with innovation and mastery every step of the way. Having cornered the market on differentiation, Fukunaga is actively at the helm of her companies, empowering change, and leading with unrivalled talent, passion, and strength.

Opening a window to elegance and style, it is Ms. Fukunaga´s vision and creativity that have shaped Ocean Blue World into the platform that it is today offering 360-degree signature services.

“With my experience in global product management, we are able to leverage tech offerings providing leading-edge solutions for our clients, all the while marrying the sales and promotional aspect of tech services.”