Meet Valentina Rodriguez-Zapata | Entrepreneur, Project Manager & Miss Wynwood USA

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

Hi Valentina, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Forever is composed of nows.”-Emily Dickinson
This past year has been a year of intention, every decision I have made has lead me to my personal growth to exponential lengths. By adopting the theory of “yes”, taking on new challenges and experiences will make one fantastic story when I reflect later in life.

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.
Born and raised in Miami, FL, I attended the Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH), where my focus was in fashion design, later leading me to pursue my BFA in Fashion Design and Minor in Theater at Parsons The New School of Design in New York City. During my time there, I recall making a capsule collection and telling my professor the muse was myself but 20 pounds lighter. In 10 seconds I corrected myself and said it was for me now, then realizing there was perhaps 2 plus size mannequins in the entire campus and later realized during this time (2017), the industry has a huge gap in what is attractive fashion for plus size women, inspiring me to pursue size inclusivity. This was a journey to self acceptance I wasn’t aware I needed and the beginning of a project I have carried on near since called The Lioness Corporation, a place for Body Positivity and Medical Advocacy. Today I bring those lessons in pageantry sharing my story of living with three pre-existing conditions, treating, losing 93 pounds and having two skin lifts while always remembering self love was key. Recently I have launched my first children’s book I wrote and illustrated for children learning positive affirmations call Tweet! Tweet! and started my series “Show Me Your Scars”, a new space for other advocates to bring awareness to their causes. Currently I bring my creative efforts with my family’s hospitality group, where we owned and operated the longest running bar in Wynwood, SHOTS. and later expanding to Orlando and New Orleans, we are currently working on a new concept in Little Havana, Bargean and coming back to Wynwood bringing you Willy’s, we can’t wait to share these new experiences to Miami!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop for any of my out of town friends is always and forever Islas Canarias. There is no way they have ever had a croqueta in their lives until they have one from Islas. Next we decide if we want to go North or South for the weekend. If we head over South we have a day full of Cauley Square at Esmeraldas Salty Air Retreat, a nice tasting at Schnebly Winery, and a fun Barbecue Dinner at Shivers. Next day we head northbound and explore of course, the Wynwood Walls, experience Skinny Louies and Midnight Owl, exploring galleries and what my great neighborhood has to offer, later going next door to the Design District to do some shopping and explore Edgewater for dinner, probably with a table at Casadonna for that real Miami Experience. Depending on the long weekend, brunch at the Bitmore is always a must and just because we are in Miami, a stroll along Lincoln Road is always in order.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have the biggest appreciation and recognition towards my success thanks to my mother Monica. That does not limit the love and support of my friends and family, My dad Raul, sister Mila Luna, grandparents Connie, Oscar, Raul, Julie and Elena. My family, Abraham, Dodo, Marce, Mia, Auggie, Steph, Ron, Kenia, Gabo, Nati. My chosen family Jules, Carlos M., Ali Lee, Carlos V., Jorge, Elizabeth, Ella, Deaudra, Monica, Lulu, Sergio, Kristian, Fernando, Delaney, Sabrina, Cristo, Courtney, Mia T., Coral, of course my pet duck Lola and so many more. This journey is made with an army, I am no one without my tribe.

Instagram: @sergeant_sparkle

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-rodriguez-186641a2

Other: https://a.co/d/08JjTlVU

Image Credits
Carlos Velez Studios