Vicente Tepedino’s Unusual Business Ventures in Costa Rica: From TV Heartthrob to Content Writer in Venezuela

The Venezuelan actor Vicente Tepedino He is in one of the stages furthest from the cameras since he arrived in Costa Rica, in 2006. However, today he dedicates himself to a job like “filmmaking”, which is not only his livelihood, but also that vital drive that keeps him active and in contact with people.

For decades, showing off on stage and on television, he even became a priest, but—despite the fact that his work is a Hollywood archetype—Life was the only screenwriter who thought that the role of real estate agent would fit Tepedino perfectly.

The former presenter of programs like Spins y TV destinationsis currently fully in the real estate business with TuCasaCR, an agency in which he and two partners act as intermediaries between owners and people looking to rent or buy a home.

According to what he told The Nationthis agency was born in January of this year, when two friends and compatriots living in Costa Rica came to him with a project to which he now puts all his efforts.

“One of them tells me: ‘Let’s make a company the three of us and let’s start with real estate. It never hurts and it is a very flexible job, you have your time.’ AND I said, ‘Hey, look, why not? It is a good income apart from what you do‘. They tell me that this is how they take advantage of my image, there is credibility and people, seeing me in the videos, will feel safer,” he commented.

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In this new facet, the former heartthrob of the small screen has put the prestige and recognition that he built for years as a guarantee of trust for his clients. In return, he has had the reward of exploring a new world, full of challenges and learning.

“People say: ‘I know him, although I don’t know him’because they have seen me in turns, in soap operas, in videos and now they are getting to know me personally. So now one establishes more of a friend relationship with the client. That doesn’t guarantee that you’ll close the business, but you already create a bond,” explained the 60-year-old actor.

“You tell the client: ‘Look, if you have friends who are interested in buying or renting, we are available.’ And so you grow, you expand, what we call the snail spiral,” he added.

One of Vicente Tepedino’s most memorable roles was as a priest in the novel ‘Pura sangre’ (1994). (RCTV)

Curiously, between 2008 and 2009, when Tepedino was still moving through the uncertainty of the first years in his new homeland, he had a brief acquaintance with the real estate world.

This was one of “the many jobs” he dabbled in after migrating from Venezuela, a land where acting overwhelmed him with job opportunities; reality that changed abruptly when he left his homeland and forced him to be versatile to bring bread to the table.

“Yo I started making soap operas in 1982 and never stopped until 2006.. Even that year, I finished a soap opera and came to Costa Rica. I had never worked in real estate in Venezuela, nor had I seen the need to resort to another source of work.. When I emigrate for the reasons that everyone already knows, I face a new world, a new life; to a new change,” he explained.

In 2006, Tepedino and his wife made the decision to leave Venezuela, which was accelerated when the actor, after speaking out against the government of Hugo Chávez, received death threats from members of “the Bolivarian Circles” (citizens related to Chávez), according to what he told The Nation in 2014. Initially, he arrived only on Tico soil to spend 15 days on vacation; period after which he decided that Costa Rica would be the destination for his family.

“The decision to emigrate had already been raised a few months before in my family. My wife, Mariola, became very depressed when three children who were brothers were killed in Venezuela and that was the trigger. In 2006 I was writing the novel Looking for a prince charming and participated in a play. When I finished the two projects, my wife gave me a plane ticket to come to Costa Rica and visit a friend,” he said at the time.

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While in Costa Rica, he received an offer to film a soap opera in Panama and put aside his brief foray into the real estate world. However, more than 15 years later and with roots planted in Costa Rica, he came across real estate again.

“When you have to emigrate, you have a moment where you say: ‘Wow, take out and not put in, that’s the end of the pile’. But hey, you have to be prepared in life. You have to have a good social and academic education, that is, be a good citizen. Because when you are well prepared and you lose your company or things go badly for you, you get ahead again,” he said.

“Obviously, I tell my children and everyone else: ‘Look, you have to save, invest and have economic stability for the future.’ But, in case you don’t have it, then look, you have to work, work and keep working,” he added.

Tepedino says he feels fulfilled and assures that the emergence of this project is another of the reasons that make him and his wife more than convinced that they were not wrong in choosing to migrate to Costa Rica almost 20 years ago.

“We believe we did well, especially for my children. Our concern was their education and I believe that Costa Rica is a country that has given us excellent academics. It is a very educated country; it is really worth living here in Costa Rica,” he declared.

A ‘movie’ job

Vicente Tepedino was the presenter of ‘Giros’ between 2015 and 2019.
(Alexánder Otárola)

Although most have in their imagination the figure of a real estate broker as presented in gringo productions; the experience that Tepedino has had as realtor (name of this profession) has been very different from fiction.

According to the actor, in these months he has not encountered envy and that voracious competition like the wolf of Wall Street. On the contrary, Tepedino highlights, as one of the most fascinating aspects of his profession, the large union of real estate workers that he found in the country and the collaboration networks that they weave among themselves.

During his foray with the agency he has learned what hard work is like in the rental flow and also the climax of closing a big sale. Along the way, he has been sharpening his sense of smell with that segment of clients who ask questions and want to see all the properties, but, deep down, he knows that he will not take the step.

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Given this, the most effective solution, he says, is sincerity.

“I think that’s the most polite way; let’s not waste time, neither you nor I. Let’s be honest, you’re going to buy or you’re going to rent, but without any shame. Life has also taught me that: the things you say upfront, it’s better for you, always with sincerity,” he commented.

And of course, among so many people, houses and apartments, anecdotes are the order of the day. Among the comical moments, Tepedino remembers with a laugh when he gave a tour of a house to a family whose son found it necessary to use the toilet… without knowing that the owner of the home had turned off the water supply.

“The boy left me that little gift, that present. I had to talk to the owner afterwards, so he could tell me what to do, what key to turn on… what button to press to turn the water back on (laughs). But nothing, even, made the owner of the house laugh a lot,” he narrated with humor.

Vicente Tepedino says that choosing Costa Rica as his second homeland, after migrating from Venezuela, was the best thing for his family. (Courtesy Vicente Tepedino)

Of course, Tepedino has not closed the doors to the artistic world. He is still linked to the theater and, from a distance, advises acting students from his alma mater in Venezuela.

In addition, he is a master of ceremonies and occasionally lends his voice or image to commercials. And, although lately he has not been stealing a sigh in a dramatic romance, nor saying good morning in a morning magazine, this is one of the moments that has been closest to human warmth.

“It’s a very nice job, it’s meeting new people, people who do everything. We’ve met people who work in hardware stores, who have their own warehouse, lawyers, doctors, engineers… It’s a very nice world, a very wide range of working people,” the actor expressed with joy.

So now you know, don’t be surprised if the next line you hear from someone who for years shone on Radio Caracas Televisión and as a presenter on TV is: “welcome to your new home.”

How did Vicente Tepedino leverage his celebrity status and existing skills when transitioning from a telenovela actor to a content writer?

The Shift from Screen to Script: Tepedino’s Early Career

Vicente Tepedino, a name once synonymous with Venezuelan telenovelas, experienced a significant career pivot. Initially gaining recognition as a leading man – a telenovela actor – Tepedino’s appeal stemmed from roles in popular series like “Amor Secreto” and “La Mujer de Judas.” This period established him as a Venezuelan celebrity and a familiar face in Latin American households. Though, the changing landscape of Venezuelan television, coupled with personal ambition, led him to explore choice avenues.This transition wasn’t simply about finding new work; it was about leveraging existing skills – storytelling, communication, and a strong work ethic – in a different capacity. The early 2010s saw Tepedino begin to quietly explore opportunities beyond acting, recognizing the need for career diversification.

Costa Rica: A Hub for Entrepreneurial Ventures

Around 2015,Tepedino began focusing on business opportunities in Costa Rica. This wasn’t a random choice. Costa Rica’s stable economy, pro-business environment, and growing digital nomad community made it an attractive location for international entrepreneurs. His initial ventures were surprisingly diverse, moving away from the entertainment industry entirely.

* Real Estate Investment: Tepedino reportedly invested in several small-scale real estate projects, focusing on vacation rentals in popular tourist destinations like Tamarindo and Jacó. This demonstrated an early interest in passive income streams and capitalizing on Costa Rica’s tourism boom.

* Lasting Agriculture: A lesser-known venture involved a small organic coffee farm in the Central Valley.This foray into sustainable farming aligned with costa Rica’s commitment to eco-tourism and environmentally friendly practices. While not a large-scale operation, it showcased Tepedino’s willingness to experiment with different business models.

* Digital Marketing Consultancy (Early Stages): Even during this period, Tepedino was beginning to recognize the power of digital marketing. He offered basic consultancy services to local businesses, focusing on social media management and online advertising – a precursor to his later, more focused career path.

The Return to Content Creation: A Venezuelan Focus

While Costa Rica provided a fertile ground for experimentation,Tepedino’s eventual return to content creation was rooted in his Venezuelan heritage. Recognizing a gap in the market for high-quality, engaging content specifically targeted at the Venezuelan diaspora, he established himself as a content writer and copywriter.

Leveraging a Unique Skillset

Tepedino’s acting background proved surprisingly valuable in this new role. His understanding of narrative structure, character development, and audience engagement translated seamlessly into crafting compelling written content. He specialized in:

1. Blog Posts & Articles: Focusing on topics relevant to Venezuelan expatriates – immigration,cultural adaptation,financial planning,and maintaining connections with home.Venezuelan diaspora content became his niche.
2. Website Copy: Creating persuasive and informative website copy for businesses targeting the Venezuelan market.
3. Social Media Content: Developing engaging social media campaigns for brands seeking to connect with Venezuelan audiences. Social media marketing for Venezuelans became a key service offering.
4. Scriptwriting (limited): Occasionally taking on small scriptwriting projects for online videos and short films, allowing him to utilize his original acting skills.

The Rise of Remote Work & Venezuela’s Digital Talent

This shift coincided with the increasing prevalence of remote work and the growing recognition of Venezuela’s talented pool of digital professionals. Despite the economic challenges facing Venezuela, many skilled individuals were seeking opportunities to work remotely for international clients. Tepedino positioned himself as a bridge between this talent and businesses seeking high-quality, affordable content creation services.He began collaborating with other Venezuelan writers, editors, and designers, effectively building a small, distributed team.

Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned

Tepedino’s journey highlights several important lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and those considering career changes:

* Adaptability is Crucial: the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace new opportunities is essential for long-term success.

* Leverage Existing Skills: Don’t underestimate the value of your existing skills and experience. they can be surprisingly transferable to new fields.

* niche Down: Focusing on a specific niche market can help you stand out from the competition and attract a loyal customer base.Niche marketing is a powerful strategy.

* Embrace Remote Work: Remote work offers adaptability and access to a global talent pool.

* Understand Your Target Audience: Deeply understanding the needs and preferences of your target audience is critical for creating effective content and building strong relationships.