We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valeria Simms. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valeria below.

Valeria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

When I was in high school, I remember being super excited about planning for college, especially meeting with my guidance counselor. I wanted help with applying to colleges, getting scholarships, selecting college, visiting colleges. That meeting lasted 15 minutes and I was disappointed. What I later realized is my counselor was overwhelmed and did not have the time to dedicate to me. Fast forward many years later, I realize my own children would face similar circumstances. I was their advocate and biggest cheerleader. I simply want to do the same for other young people. Help them make informed decisions about their college and/or career plans.

Valeria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

V Excellence Level Services, LLC provides college and career guidance services to high school students; I assist students with preparing and planning for their life after they graduate high school. This usually involves one on one information sessions for students/parents who may need more of a personal touch than is typically provided by high school counselors. College and/or Career planning can be overwhelming BUT with guidance, planning and organizing information, the student and parent(s), are better equipped to make informed decisions. It is my goal to assist students and try to put parents at ease with the college and/or career aspirations of their child. At the end of the day, students should be empowered to make a choice that can be rewarding for them as they plan the next steps in their future!

Have you ever had to pivot?

I have worked in corporate America for over 30 years. I have been laid off more than 3 times. The last time was over ten years ago. I have always loved working with young people and I decided I was going to pursue my passion of working with youth. I started out by teaching young people to ballroom dance (dance is my other passion!) I have mentored and worked with young people over the years and discovered a growing need to assist parents/students with college (and career) decisions. This lead to V Excellence Level Services, LLC.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The college or career/trade/military choice a child makes is THEIR decision. It’s THEIR life! As a parent you try to help, you try to guide your child(ren). I had to unlearn that I can make my child choose a college or career based on my experiences. As a mother of four children it was instinctive to try to protect them and not let them make mistakes BUT in actuality, every child has to make his/her own mistakes and learn their own lessons. This builds character! Today I am most proud of having four well rounded, productive children! They are all happy with the college and/or career choices they have made and are making!

Contact Info:

• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Valeria Simms, photographer