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

Hi Valencia, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

Prayer has definitely helped me to succeed. From seeking guidance in what to do and where to do it, to needing to soak in encouragement when I am feeling discouraged or feel like giving up, to being thankful and expressing gratitude. Thankfulness and gratitude is also a habit that has helped me to succeed. I don’t take any opportunity for granted. Anytime my writing has touched someone, made them laugh or think or cry or feel, I am thankful. My gift is being used in the right way. Another habit that has lended to my success is that I try hard not to compare my journey to the journey of others. My path is my own and focusing on where I am going is essential. People say that comparison is the thief of JOY and that’s so true.

Lastly, surrounding myself with great people, who are honest with me and encouraging.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I create through words, and that is my art. I have been a storyteller since forever and writing has always been my vehicle to tell the story. From the moment I could hold a pencil, from the. moment I could formulate words, I have had the gift of moving people with humor and relatability. My first published book is “I Met a Guy…and Other Things You Can Only Discuss with Your Sistergirlfriends”. Its a nonfiction humor about all the things we talk about with each other when the men and children are not around. I call it a girls night out on paper. Its been rated 5 stars and is also an award winning finalist in the satire/comedy/humor category of the Best Book Awards. Its available everywhere or through my site!
Throughout my life, I had forgotten that was my gift, allowing negative comments to permeate my thoughts. As artists and creatives its so easy to forsake our gifts and instead play small, or stay quiet. And it can be difficult to share our gift. for a myriad of reasons. Erykah Badu said it best, I’m an artist, and Im sensitive about my s*@%!

In recent years tho, through consistent self work and soul work, I’m more clear on not only my gift but how it dances with my purpose. The more I use my gift, the more doors will open for me to share my gift. That’s why I am so thankful for opportunities like this.

I am a writer, an authoress. I speak to women, and encourage them on their journey, reminding them that their experiences are not unique, so no need to hide and become hard as they go through things.. We have all been there. I’ll make sure we chuckle about it. And to remind them to hope, embrace JOY, walk in love.

I do this through HeySIS, my women’s organization. I do this through HEYVEETV, my podcast show (YouTube). And I do this through every thing I write.
I often lend my pen to other blogs and speak at conferences/guests on podcasts geared toward women.

I am also working on getting my first series off the ground. I cowrote/produced/directed Live Love and Lies with Shawnee Idahosa. It was such a fun project…I felt like I was living out a dream I didn’t even know I had! Now we are looking for funding/sponsors etc. Our trailer can be found here: https://youtu.be/boCsHyK0FLw
I am your favorite Sistergirlfriend Authoress,..

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow this is such a cool question. And challenging for me because I don’t go a lot of places. I’m laughing as I type this, lets see what kind of activities can we get into. I would for sure take my best friend to a cool coffee shop. We would hit up all the museums.And there are a few cool restaurants and rooftops that we would go to. Who doesn’t like cocktails and apps? A trip to a winery is a must! As a music lover, I’d have to take her to here some live music. On a more intimate level, I take her by my mom’s house to visit, because they would have a lot to catch up on. I would take her to watch the sunset by the water, because its so serene. And of course we would go to a spa. I just treated myself to a spa day recently and it was heaven! Id always gotten massages here and there but a spa DAY is heavenly!!
The more I think about it, life with me is pretty chill and pampered.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutouts! To every woman who is hurting and unsure, who is sitting in a dark space or fighting for her happiness, I want you to know that JOY does come in the morning. I am proof! After facing a horrible divorce and navigating though single motherhood, I’m standing more JOYful and stronger than I’ve ever been. To my mom, who always told me to write the book.

And to my children who have stayed patient with me as I’ve figured things out, and also give some of the best business and marketing advice ever.
To the women of HEYSIS, you ladies rock.
And to my personal tribe of Sistergirlfriends, you never let my crown slip…and I promise to hold yours steady when you need me to.

Website: www.veejoyful.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/veejoyful and www.instagram.com/heyveetv

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/valencia-joy

Twitter: www.witter.com/queenveejoy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/valenciajoy

Youtube: www.youtube.com/heyveetv

Image Credits
Lamar Sykes

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