Valencia Griffin-Wallace is an international speaker, bestselling author, and radio show host. She is passionate about helping women build unapologetic confidence and become goal getters. As a wife, mother, and a bonus mom who runs several businesses, she understands that it is easy for women to put themselves last. By giving women bite sized steps with realistic but challenging goals, she has helped women write books, start speaking, and more. She founded Define U Radio, Define U Movement and Define U Live where women get the strategies needed to change their life.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
Have you ever hit a brick wall so hard and so many times in life, you left a face print? That was me. About 10 years ago, I hit a brick wall called “disgusted and depressed.” I wasn’t happy with the way things were going in my life, had migraines, and a bad relationship to add to all of that. To add to all of that, I had grown up in less than ideal circumstances and that became a convenient excuse, until I got fed up.
I started doing “self” work, dropped 80 pounds, started empowering myself, but most of all work towards transforming myself. In the process, I learned true transformation and how to truly design the life I wanted and deserved both personally and professionally. I know it is easy to go on autopilot, being a mom and wife will do that to you. Being a woman, with our self less, nurturing self will do it to you. Women can have the life they want, but most of all they deserve it.
Tell us about your business.
I teach women how to unapologetically design the personal and professional life they want to live. Most are mothers that have let their goals collect dust, they no longer believe in themselves and don’t see where they have the time to fit in. Some are wives or single women who just want to achieve something but don’t know where to start.
We know what we want deep down, I work with them on confidence. Confidence is the root of everything. We work on building that with small challenges that lead up to big goals. When women come to me, they generally are at there wits end. They want to learn how to believe in their natural talents and the steps to get where they really want to be.
My radio show Define U Radio brings on guests who have overcome adversity big and small and have done IT. IT represents different things to different people. My IT was just to be happy and it turned into so much more than that.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
My annual event Define U Live:Crown Up Edition is about not only empowering women, or as I call them Queens, but giving them the steps they need to actually change things. It is taking place this year in Houston on November 11th. I also have a Facebook group called Define U Movement that I invite women to join. It is a place where class is in session and we focus on goal getting and more.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- Certificate of Excellence from the 5 Figure Speech Academy
- Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
- Best Selling Author
- International Speaker
Where is your business based?
The beautifully resilient state of Louisiana.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
- Building my tribe to see if the business was a necessity.
- Found mentors who guide me.
- The basics of course, incorporate, logo, etc.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Showing up and being transparent. Dominating the hashtag associated with my brand and of course attracting brand ambassadors who believe in it. They direct people to the show which has international reach. Of course, being willing to serve others. Most times we don’t realize the way to grow your brand is to support others. I am also involved in several book projects including my own which helps build brand awareness.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Running more than one business as a “one queen show” can wear you down mentally and physically. I had to learn to practice what I preach. Trust others to help me. At the end of the day, we don’t have to do it alone. Staying on top of things business wise because I am a mom and a wife – balance is something I have to work towards without letting the other suffer.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Recognized in what areas I felt overwhelmed or lacking in. Re-evaluated my performance and most of all TOOK my downtime when necessary. Sometimes, we have to be willing shut down and shut off to regroup. It will give you a new perspective on everything. Prioritizing is also a way to overcome challenges. Stick to deadlines, evaluate my schedule and work accordingly. You can only do so much in 24 hours.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I am not going to lie, videos and working out. There are a few “go to” people who give me that kick in the pants I sometimes need via videos. Working out and kickboxing is also a release for me. It really helps me show what I am made of and if you can get through that, everything else is easy. Having a great support system in my husband. He may not understand why I am frustrated but he listens. Sometimes, we need to talk it out. He reminds me who I am and what I have accomplished already.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Just being me. Southern, street savvy, diverse and authentic.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
You must cut yourself some slack. I have a perfectionist, go hard or go home, give it all you got mentality which is good and bad. I am hard on myself if I don’t feel like I gave it 150%.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
If your heart and head connect on something, that is the sign for you to do it.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
I love Hootsuite and Canva. It takes time to learn them, but once you do, you can save yourself time and money. A new favorite is a website that allows me to post my radio shows and lives automatically to YouTube. I love listening to videos on YouTube more than watching, so not being able to provide this bothered me. Now I can.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
Currently loving the book “Relentless” by Tim Grover. He breaks that whole “give it all you got” mentality.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Looking for help with social media management because when you are in so many social media spaces, it is hard to show up effectively and consistently without it feeling like a job.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
- Secure an international speaking engagement – currently in talks with an organizer
- Hire an assistant to help grow the brand – currently training a volunteer
- Planning 2018 conference
- Finishing out book projects – currently working with a publisher
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @valencia_gw
Twitter @valencia_gw
Facebook www.facebook.com/valenciagw
Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/boldmovement
Website www.valenciagwallace.com
Radio show: www.defineuradio.com
Email valencia@valenciagwallace.com
Hashtags #DefineU #DYL2017