Q and A with Valencia D. fromCapitol Heights, Maryland
“There’s a risk of losing ourselves in the fast-paced nature of life if we fail to pay attention and stay true to our core values.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I have a deep passion for empowering individuals to achieve healing and become their healthiest, most authentic selves by equipping them with the essential tools and support.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I matured quickly and encountered a myriad of challenges throughout my upbringing, including witnessing mental illness, a lack of self-love, low self-esteem, drug-related issues, violence, and abuse within my family. The early loss of my father at the age of six introduced me to trauma, which significantly influenced my life.
Motivated to heal my own heart, I embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery as I grew older. This process ignited a passion within me to assist others in their own healing journeys. Fast forward to today, where I am a mother to seven children (four boys and three girls) and a wife to an amazing man. Recognizing the importance of being the support I lacked in my youth for my own children, I became determined to offer the same guidance and care to them. Through this experience, I realized others also need this kind of support, prompting me to extend my passion for healing to a broader community.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I’ve embraced the principle of trusting the process and resisting external pressures to conform to someone else’s expectations. Early on, I recognized that I may not resonate with everyone, and I’ve come to accept that as a natural part of life. Embracing my authentic self has become a paramount aspect of my identity, and I navigate life with the unwavering confidence to be true to who I am without hesitation.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Though we’ve made significant progress from our past, affording us greater capabilities and opportunities, it’s crucial to stay mindful and authentic. Even with the advancements, there’s a risk of losing ourselves in the fast-paced nature of life if we fail to pay attention and stay true to our core values.
MORE ABOUT VALENCIA: In my practice, I provide a diverse array of services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals. These offerings include personalized one-on-one sessions, enriching family sessions, dynamic workshops, and impactful speaking engagements, all aimed at fostering personal and relational growth. A particular source of pride is my signature program, the “Always Win” workshop, which stands out as a distinctive and transformative experience within the spectrum of services I offer.
“Happy employees make for a more enjoyable work environment.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My name is Suzanne Aubin, I am the owner of the Trek Jewellers, a small family business located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. We specialize in making people’s vision for their engagement become reality.
Technology has changed so much throughout the decades, that designing your own ring is something that anyone can do both online and in person. I love envisioning my clients’ concept of their dream ring and making it come true for them. The smile I see on their faces when they receive their piece of jewelry is absolutely priceless.
Before any work day starts, I always take care of myself first. I do wake up quite early, and get straight to my workout. It helps get me in a positive state of mind, and into creative mode. Currently, we are expanding our services and products online at https://trekjewellers.com/ with free same-day delivery locally for any in-stock items. Delivery services are something we will be adding shortly for those who can’t come in due to their work schedules or are housebound.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: Growing up, we were the standard family with our father working and our mother being at home to care for us. My dad was the one who taught me everything I know about the jewelry business. I must be honest, it was the newer technology, such as the laser machine, and CAD programs that really sparked my interest in learning more.
I always thought I would end up being a professional accountant at some point. I loved playing around with numbers. Although my career didn’t head in that direction, I still had to learn about simple bookkeeping and balancing the books. My love of numbers didn’t stop there over the years. I also studied how to trade currencies.
Currency trading takes up a good portion of my time. Proprietary traders trade with reputable firms and must keep up with world news. Some news has a major impact on the currencies, which also affects gold. This trickles down into gold prices fluctuating for all businesses. All work and no play is never any fun. I enjoy spending time with my precious granddaughter. She is such a joy to have around. My dad absolutely loves her to bits. Anything that has to do with the outdoors I love. Kayaking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and of course going to the cottage or as we say it out here in the North, camping.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: If there’s anything I’d want others to know from owning your own business, is time management. It is very important to have a scheduled calendar to have everything in order. Even more important, is to have some downtime for yourself. I can’t stress this enough. Always support your team at work. Happy employees make for a more enjoyable work environment. I am very lucky to have wonderful people surrounding me every day.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Feminism in my eyes is having all of the same rights and opportunities as men. It’s about empowering ourselves and treating each other with dignity and respect. It is certainly not about oppressing men. Men have their role in society and are a huge blessing in our lives. It’s about getting that education, making decisions, being recognized as a person, having work opportunities, and working alongside our men. Feminism leaves no one behind. It’s about equality in the workforce, education, business opportunities etc. With that being said, Trek Jewellers is a proud sponsor of the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. It is a night to honor women who have inspired other women and girls by serving as mentors, role models, or by their own achievements in a variety of disciplines.
Q and A with Archie from Elisa D. from Northern Virginia, United States
“…life dealt me a tricky hand, but I reshuffled the deck. You can, too.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m about growing, sharing my knowledge, and helping folks ace their money game. Teaching people how to handle cash, invest smart, and hustle for extra income lights my fire. I kicked off a Facebook gang called WealthWave-Money Tips. We’re all about making that moolah work for us, learning savvy spending, and grabbing that sweet freedom. In this crew, we dish out tips on money moves, saving hacks, and time management to make a bank. We’re a bunch of money mavens cheering each other on. Whether you’re new or a money whiz, we’ve got your back on the road to financial freedom.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were far from easy. I grew up in a pretty unstable home, where my mom struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol. But that didn’t stop me from excelling in school. I was a total star student and attended every day possible, relishing learning opportunities.
But it wasn’t just about academics for me. I also discovered a passion for athletics. In high school, I joined the track team and found my calling. Running, jumping, and pushing myself to the limit was pure bliss.
Those formative experiences set me on a path of resilience and determination. I genuinely believe in the transformative power of education and personal growth. Despite the hardships I faced, I never gave up. And that perseverance has led me to where I am today.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Life’s thrown some severe curveballs at me, but here’s the lowdown: I turn those terrible moments into rocket fuel. If I play the victim, well, guess what? My life’s a rerun of that story. But if I snag a positive from a crummy situation, bam! It’s fuel for my success and growth and helps others, too.
Check this out: I could’ve been written off based on my past. I don’t play by those rules. I saw potential in myself and hustled hard daily to make my dreams happen. I’m still figuring out where I want to be, but I love where I am. So yeah, life dealt me a tricky hand, but I reshuffled the deck. You can, too.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Feminism? It’s about grabbing the mic when they say you don’t belong, owning your strength, and kicking butt in everything you do. It’s turning my struggles into a force for good and giving others the power to speak up, too. It’s all about leveling the playing field for more fairness.
MORE ABOUT ELISA D.: I’m a whole lot more than what’s behind me. I’m a child of God, an Army vet, a proud mom of five, a college grad, and now rocking it as a grad student and entrepreneur. I’ve got strength, power, honesty, and a work ethic that won’t quit. God’s been my game-changer, pulling me out of tough spots and being my rock-solid provider. I am grateful every single day for that.
“Every obstacle, every tough moment, is a chance to discover your inner strength and capabilities.”
Q: Hi! Tell us about yourself.
A: Hello, I’m Archie Gonzales, the proud owner of Create with Archie & Co. I’m also a proud mom, taking care of my beautiful 9-year-old daughter. Balancing the responsibilities of entrepreneurship with the joys and challenges of motherhood has added a unique dimension to my journey.
I’m deeply passionate about a few key aspects that have shaped both my personal and professional journey. Firstly, I’ve always been driven by a thirst for personal growth and learning. This passion led me to establish Create with Archie & Co., a freelance virtual assistance business. I noticed the challenges faced by start-ups and small to medium-sized business owners who often find themselves juggling multiple roles within their enterprises. My goal became clear: to provide comprehensive virtual assistance that allows these entrepreneurs to focus on their core competencies while I handle the rest. Creativity is another cornerstone of my passion. I believe in infusing every project with a touch of innovation and originality. This belief translates into the ethos of my business: going beyond the routine and mundane to deliver unique and impactful results.
Currently, I’m channeling my passion into a new venture, ‘SocialMedia Pro by Create with Archie & Co. Link is here: https://www.createwitharchie.com/socialmediapro.’ Recognizing the time constraints and creative challenges faced by business owners in creating their social media presence, I’m launching a subscription-based service. This service provides a monthly supply of carefully curated and engaging social media content. Business owners can opt for flexible packages, ranging from monthly subscriptions to 6-month or 1-year plans. The goal is to empower entrepreneurs with a hassle-free solution for maintaining a vibrant online presence with our content, allowing them to focus on what they do best. In essence, my passion for personal growth, learning, and creativity is the driving force behind Create with Archie & Co., and it’s my pleasure to extend this passion to fellow entrepreneurs through my business.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I’m from the beautiful Philippines, born and raised in a household characterized by strictness and conservatism. This upbringing significantly shaped my approach to life, instilling in me values of resilience, determination, and independence. Tragedy struck early in my life when my mother passed away when I was just 15. Growing up without her presence was undoubtedly a challenge, but it was during this time that I found strength and guidance in my father, who emerged as not only a parent but a great mentor. His lessons about life and perseverance continue to resonate with me today. Despite the difficulties, I excelled in academics during my younger years, demonstrating a determination to rise above the circumstances. Financial struggles were a constant companion, and I vividly recall moments of financial scarcity, eagerly anticipating birthdays for the joy of indulging in delicious meals and cake. Life’s challenges taught me the value of hard work and resourcefulness. I engaged in various jobs, from selling goods and street foods to working in a restaurant under minimum wage, experiencing the demanding graveyard shift in a call center, and even teaching English as a second language to Chinese kids. Reflecting on those experiences, I see them as a crucial chapter in my life—a period of growth, resilience, and the forging of an unyielding work ethic. Each of those roles contributed to my development, providing insights that now shape my entrepreneurial journey. Looking back, I appreciate the progress I’ve made, recognizing that the challenges of the past have played an instrumental role in shaping the person I am today.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most valuable lessons life has taught me is the transformative power of resilience. In the face of adversity, it’s our ability to bounce back, learn, and adapt that defines our journey. Growing up in challenging circumstances, facing financial hardships, and the loss of my mother at a young age, I learned firsthand the importance of resilience. It’s not about avoiding difficulties but about navigating through them with determination and a positive mindset. I’d like others to understand that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather opportunities for growth. Every obstacle, every tough moment, is a chance to discover your inner strength and capabilities. Embracing challenges, rather than fearing them, can lead to personal and professional breakthroughs.
I hope my story conveys the significance of hard work and perseverance. Life may not always be fair, and success may not come easily, but the journey itself is a profound teacher. Every experience and every job I undertook, contributed to my growth and shaped my entrepreneurial spirit. In essence, I want others to embrace resilience, view challenges as stepping stones, and recognize that their unique journey, no matter how difficult, has the potential to shape a remarkable future. Life’s hardships are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for resilience to shine and illuminate the path forward.
Q: What does feminism mean to you? A: Feminism, to me, is the belief in and the pursuit of a world where individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment. It isn’t about favoring one gender over another; it’s about dismantling the constraints that limit the potential of all individuals. It’s about recognizing and challenging ingrained stereotypes, biases, and systemic injustices that disproportionately affect women.
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