Meet Valaencia Thompson | Founder

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

Hi Valaencia, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I used to think that it was a sort of badge of honor to be able to boast about how much work I could handle at one time. I have always had to juggle a lot of different things at various points in my life, so the pride of doing so successfully used to feel really good (Hello, EGO…is that YOU?). However, I have learned that rest is just as important (if not more) than the constant grind. I realize that in order to be able to do my best work, I must prioritize my rest. It is on my list of non negotiables now.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The idea for Glittered in Goals came to be back in 2016, and I hosted my first live event in January 2017. Our Mission: To help women move from goals to growth in all areas of their lives. We do this by creating safe spaces, engaging in mindful conversations, and placing a strong emphasis on the importance of sustainable mental health practices. This mission is important to me, because I have faced some really heavy mental health challenges in my life. I struggled with an eating disorder from my teens to early college years. I am most proud of the fact that I was able to overcome that chapter in my life. Now the work that I do is dedicated to helping others overcome (and/or better manage) their own mental health challenges. It’s not easy. Maintaining a healthy mental space takes dedication and support. The Glittered in Goals community is meant to do just that, be a support system. I want people to know they are not alone, and they do not have to face their challenges in secret. I believe we should normalize vulnerability so that we can heal.

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?
I live on the west side of town, so one of my favorite places to go is City Centre. It’s a cool vibe, and not too far from home for me. I like to grab a table outside at Bellagreen, and enjoy their signature dish – the Brick Chicken. We also have some really great food trucks! One of my favorites is called Hermanas Taqueria (Saums Rd.). Me and my husband like to go there for late night tacos. If you’re into vegan food, then you should definitely check out Houston Sauce Co. (black owned) – and for dessert check out my cousin’s food truck, Cupcake and a Smile (black owned). If you’re in the mood for Sushi on the west side, I really like this spot called Sushi 9 (Mason Rd.). You really can’t beat buy one get one free specialty rolls! Ever since the pandemic, I really try to do my part to stay home as much as possible. However, to fight cabin fever, I like to get out and go to a park. I recently visited Levy Park, and ate outside at Woodshed Smokehouse. The brisket and Mexican street corn was so good! There are so many options!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My tribe is composed of so many amazing people. Some of them have been with me for my whole life (my mom, dad, and sisters), some have been with me since grade school (my besties), and some of them are friends I have made along the way through work and networking. I feel blessed to truly be surrounded by loving people in my life. Even during this crazy time we are living in, my loved ones have continued to show up for me in various ways. I have had cookies, cards, and candles sent to my house. I have been sent CashApps for me to grab some food. I have friends who will call me to pray with me over the phone. They say, “it takes a village to raise a child,” but I also think that it takes a village to sustain us for the rest of our lives too. I am thankful to have a strong village.

Website: https://www.glitteredingoals.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glitteredingoals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glitteredingoals
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FROREALDOE