We ignite the 6 senses to elevate them beyond reality.

Life truly comes full circle.

When I received a failing grade on an electrical circuit assignment in Grade 2 (yes, Grade 2), my mechanical engineer mother absolutely lost it. Despite my perfect electrical connections, the issue was that I hadn’t used a ruler for the lines in my drawing. Who knew? I swore then and there that I would never become an engineer, a profession that runs deep in my family. I’ve always been a creative at heart, Known as a "triple threat" for my talents in writing, acting, dancing, and singing, I assumed I was destined for a completely different path.

Fast forward, I ventured into business, and then VISO happened. I spent years educating myself through one course after another and one school after another. I gained a wealth of experience and, surprisingly, I kept finding myself drawn back to circuits.

I am proud to be a woman leader in a highly technical industry, and yes, I now use a ruler. While formal education was invaluable, nothing compares to the deep learning that comes from real-world challenges, creative problem-solving, and the rewards that follow. These experiences continue to shape me in my role as President of VISO Lighting.

With this role comes great responsibility to our clients, who trust us with their vision and projects, to our peers, who challenge us to grow, to our team, who brings those visions to life, and to our vendors, who help us deliver dreams. It is also a responsibility to the next generation of talented professionals looking up to leaders like us. Most importantly, it is a responsibility for me to remain authentic. That, I have learned, is both the hardest task and the most necessary one.

This journey, this adventure called VISO Lighting, was meant for me from the very beginning. Here, I have found truth, purpose, and even beauty in those Grade 2 circuit drawings. Best of all, I still get to be creative, blending logic with artistry every single day.

Born for Hospitality.

I’ve always hustled. My journey began in Portugal, where I designed, fabricated, and developed Tippy Toes, a children’s shoe company inspired by my two young daughters, something fit for little princesses. That venture was eventually acquired by a conglomerate. Shortly after, I found myself doing something completely different: making lights.

In 1999, I founded VISO. I was fascinated by the beauty of combining different materials to enhance an atmosphere. Creating with my hands, blending materials, shaping ideas into tangible products has always been second nature. From decorative lighting to furniture, I’ve broken and built it all. I’ve worked with metals, acrylics, natural stone, and onyx, gaining deep knowledge of how each material behaves. That hands-on experience now has me consulting on complex projects, because at my core, my true passion is construction.

My curiosity for solving problems and figuring out how things fit together earned me a reputation in the hospitality and commercial design industry. People often say, “You need a solution for your project? Ask Filipe.” It’s a phrase I hear regularly. When I’m not on the phone or in the factory, you’ll usually find me on a construction site advising general contractors, electricians, laborers, and stakeholders on everything from electrical and structural challenges to financial requirements.

But I never stay in one place too long. Just like my mind, I’m constantly moving and always hustling. Catch me if you can… and if you can’t, just call Tzetzy.