Meet Julia Valldi | Founder & Creative Director at Jvalldi Styling

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

Hi Julia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own wedding makeup and hairstylist business in New York way back in xx for a number of reasons. I’ve always been quite a creative spirit with an entrepreneurial side, so when I spotted a gap in the market to provide luxury wedding hair and makeup in a completely inclusive way it lit a fire inside of me that has made my path a pleasure to walk. I enjoy being able to offer the best quality service I can, create my own schedule and of course, meet with hundreds of stunning clients all with their own story to tell. Client satisfaction will always be at the forefront for me which sometimes means joining my clients at their destination wedding or incorporating new styles and customs into my work. So, in a nutshell, I suppose you could say the thought process behind the business was being able to provide a reliable service that is inclusive to all and that will leave clients looking and feeling their best.

What is the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

Don’t compare yourself to others, don’t give up and believe in yourself. Early on in my career I had people telling me I would never make it or that I needed this, that or the other in order to be a success. If I had listened to them I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today because it takes time to evolve and for you to grow into the business person you want to be. People are quick to judge and try to clip your wings by saying you want too much, but with consistency and passion, anything really is possible.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career:

Risk has always been a part of my life, so taking risks in business has been second nature to me. I moved to the USA from Russia alone and it turned my life 360. Arriving here and having to navigate anything that was thrown at me such as language barriers, finding accommodation, and starting a whole new adventure in a different country alone was easily one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, so with that in mind, I feel confident in the challenges I face within the business.
I’ve definitely learned that you can never grow in life or achieve any goal without taking a risk and I think that mantra is part of the message I would like to leave behind for anyone stepping into the space of running their own business.
I went through college and got my degree here in the states, thinking it would give me all the stability I needed, so leaving that chapter of my life behind and jumping feet first into the beauty industry felt like another huge risk for me. Looking back I’m so pleased I had the courage to make that decision or I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

I will be honest, I don’t think I’ve found the right balance just yet! Sometimes I question if there even is such a thing when it comes to owning your own business. Over time I have started to pay more attention to creating that illusive work/ life balance, but am honest enough to admit I still work a lot without my schedule in mind. If something needs to be done and it’s the middle of the night, I still do it.
I used to have crazy burnouts, when I couldn’t move and felt like “I don’t want to do any of this ever again” But now, I make sure I take vacations, give myself time to relax and disconnect, as well as spend time with friends and loved ones, because without it, no matter how successful you are, it won’t make you happy.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The concept of bridal hair and makeup is not new, I just had the vision to take it to a different level of luxury and inclusion. I wanted to provide the highest quality service that puts the client at the forefront.
I am very passionate about inclusivity, so from the very inception of the idea, I wanted our clients to feel comfortable and welcomed no matter their ethnicity, race, age, or sexual orientation.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
I have always been a creative person. Creativity runs through my veins. At the same time, I love to be around people and bring positive energy to their life, so intertwine those two things and you get Jvalldi styling!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
https://instagram.com/mdubrovinamakeup?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

What is the most important factor behind your success/the success of your brand?

I don’t think there is one factor that makes any business a ‘success’. I think I am lucky in that I am a naturally disciplined person with a creative flair who has a genuine passion for making my clients look and feel great on one of the most important days of their lives. I think if I was missing any one of those qualities I wouldn’t be where I am today. One thing I will say is, that I think that always being open to new ideas and trends as well as being a ‘people person’ has helped me on my journey.

What habits do you feel helped you succeed?

This might sound like a really boring response to some, but it’s by being disciplined and consistent. period.
When you are your own boss, there is no one that is there to push you or tell you what to do. There is no ‘ I will do it tomorrow’ as a business owner, which is why I think people new to business can sometimes struggle to set their own deadlines and reach them on time. For me consistency is what keeps me disciplined, not the other way around

Website: https://jvalldi.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvalldistyling/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/jvalldi.styling/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Image Credits
Photo credits: https://instagram.com/zaniduwayne?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/ksushateterina?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/ericdhason?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/svetlana.zheltunova_photo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/adelaideinnewyork?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://instagram.com/foreverphotographyny?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=