60 Seconds with Juliana Germinio Aguiar

Monday 3 August 2026

Tell us about your role and your organisation

I am the founder of Yellow Zest, a creative agency based in East Belfast specialising in branding, web design, social media, and PR. We are a small but mighty team, working with businesses across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, and internationally.

My role covers everything from creative direction and client relationships to the day-to-day running of the business. At the heart of it all, my job is helping business owners build brands that people genuinely remember.

Career Journey

Originally from Brazil, I moved to Northern Ireland and began my career in a completely different field, working in production management. Wanting to build something of my own, I took the leap into entrepreneurship and started my first business.

In May 2024, I founded Yellow Zest. Since then, it has been a whirlwind journey, growing from a one-woman operation working from home into a thriving agency with its own studio, a growing team, and clients across the globe.

Along the way, Yellow Zest has received the Eastside Award for Best Start-Up and has been featured in publications including The Times, The Irish News, Industry Leaders, and TechRound.

Beyond running the agency, I have had the privilege of mentoring fellow founders through Go Succeed and The Centre of Learning, and I am also the founder of the East Belfast Business Meet Up.

One Skill That Helps Me Most

The skill that helps me most is the ability to listen.

So much of branding is not really about colours, fonts, or logos. It is about understanding what a business owner truly wants to communicate, even when they have not quite found the words themselves.

Being able to listen closely, identify those insights, and help articulate them clearly is what allows us to create brands that feel authentic and memorable.

That skill developed out of necessity. Moving to Northern Ireland without an established network meant I had to learn quickly how to understand people, build trust, and create meaningful connections.

Advice for other Women in Business

Done is better than perfect.

Inspiration surrounds you every day and everywhere, so stay curious and open to new ideas.

And above all:

Upwards and onwards.

Progress matters more than perfection. Take the opportunity, trust yourself, and keep moving forward.

Exciting Plans Ahead

We're looking forward to launching The Zesty Mill, a podcast celebrating Northern Ireland's vibrant business community. The podcast will be recorded at The Spinners Mill Podcast Studio inside Banana Block and will shine a spotlight on the stories, insights, and experiences of local business leaders.

We're also continuing to grow the East Belfast Business Meet Up, which goes from strength to strength each month and has become a valuable space for local businesses to connect, collaborate, and support one another.

Biggest Career Inspiration

My biggest career inspiration is Melanie Perkins, the co-founder and CEO of Canva.

Before Canva became one of the world's most recognised brands, Melanie was rejected by investors more than a hundred times. Her story is a powerful reminder that persistence is often far more important than perfection.

She inspires me because she demonstrates that success is not about avoiding setbacks. It is about continuing to move forward despite them and recognising that the people who eventually believe in your vision matter far more than those who initially said no.

Connect With Me

The best ways to connect with me are:

📧 hello@yellowzest.co.uk

📱 Instagram: @yellowzest

I always enjoy connecting with fellow business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs.

How Women in Business Has Helped My Career

Women in Business has been part of my journey almost since I arrived in Northern Ireland.

Moving to a new country without a professional network can be daunting, but being part of a community of women who genuinely want to see each other succeed has made a huge difference, both personally and professionally.

The support, connections, and opportunities available through Women in Business have helped build my confidence and contributed to the growth of Yellow Zest. Through mentoring, I have also had the opportunity to give back some of the support that was given to me, and that full-circle experience has been one of the most rewarding parts of my entrepreneurial journey.

I would recommend Women in Business to any woman starting out who feels like she is doing it alone.

Monday 3 August 2026