We had the good fortune of connecting with Valeria Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valeria, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
Budgets saved my life! Anxiety cripples my creative flow and peace of mind, not having a budget as a young adult taught me to value my earnings on a personal level. In dealing with and learning about my mental wellness and triggers, I realized I am an emotional shopper… I got in so much debt and when I needed funds I was stuck.

Through my life journey, I forced myself to heal my views and relationship with money. Paying off debt, saving, and developing budget plans on a personal level.

The work and discipline is real! These moves empowered me to become a full-time serial entrepreneur with my lessons and habits thanks to budgets.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Imposter syndrome forever haunted me to a point where I only used art as a healing tool for depression and hid it from everyone. Slowly I shared pieces, friends noticed my art and hired me for murals and creative work. Intentional pieces fueled me to create with healing, empowerment, and cultural representation in mind. Switching my vibes from negativity and depression took time and required me to do the work of getting out of my comfort zone (and being ok with being awkward). Sometimes you just have to ‘just do’ and refuse to stay in the pause of perfection.

As I kick anxiety and imposter syndrome’s ass daily, I am proud to call myself a multi-disciplined artist, sharing art in healing through Shine In All Shades Empowerment Coloring Series and creating digital branding + creative services for wellness-based brands. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To all the little girls and womxn that are too different, too dark-skinned, too light-skinned, not Latina enough, not black enough… you are my inspiration. I dedicate these words to you – as we are truly our ancestors’ wildest dreams. From our lips to our hips, from our varying coily curls to the rainbow of diversity that radiates from our stunning melanated skin… my success is never achieved alone nor for self.

Shine In All Shades is how we move, unapologetically… empowering, uplifting, and celebrating the queen in we.

Keep shining, sis!

Website: shineinallshades.com

Instagram: instagram.com/shineinallshades

Facebook: facebook.com/shineinallshades

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