We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Gaskin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Valerie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I believe I’ve always wanted to pursue a creative artistic path. I recall as a young girl always writing poetry, creating songs, and writing small plays. I like to say I’ve always been on a flight of fancy in my head, yet I’ve always hidden behind closed doors. Fear stopped me from doing a lot of things. It wasn’t until college that I discovered spoken word and started performing at events. I knew for sure this was something that I could do forever. Not only was I finding my voice, but I was finding myself.
Valerie, 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?
My name is Valerie Gaskin, and I am a native of St. Louis, Missouri. I am a spoken word artist who recently released an album entitled Road to Recovery, part 1 & 2, which can be found on all music streaming outlets. I am the owner of Miss Vee’s Kitchen, which is a small catering business that specializes in providing high-quality catering services for corporate and social events. I operate out of a commercial kitchen and offer delivery and setup services. I am also the founder of Phlab2fitt, which stands for promoting healthy lifestyles and bodies. My mission for PHLAB2FITT is for each person to set and meet their own fitness goals as we test our boundaries, creating new ones by redefining our bodies and minds. I truly believe each business tells a piece of my story and how they all play an important role in my social service background. I love to help people by nourishing the mind, body, and spirit. I am most proud because each business was created or crafted out of what would be considered the pitfalls of my life, yet as the biblical text states: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). It is my goal to continue to build each company up to not only serve others but myself.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to sharpen each skill that I have to the best of my knowledge and not waste any of my gifts. I want to sit back one day and say that despite the obstacles that stood in my way, I was able to be the author of my story and write it beautifully while being a part of others. My mission is to not only do what I do but watch it evolve which I know will happen. This phase of my life is currently about me listening and trusting the journey, and being a student of my gifts to allow them to be edified and sharpened.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I believe the lessons that I had to unlearn are that no one is responsible for your craft or gifts but you, and most importantly, fear will rise up. Pull up a chair and allow yourself to have a conversation with it, then move on. Failure has been an option for me several times. But how do I challenge myself to find the lessons in those failures without making them a habit and letting them determine my lifestyle? I recall five years ago, losing everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. I had an unfortunate miscarriage, ended a long-term relationship, had to relocate abruptly from my home and family that I was not only familiar with but defined my identity. All while God was telling me to go back and finish my degree. It sounds like an oxymoron or just poor timing. Yet, what I’ve learned is to trust the process in the midst of chaos. Keep swimming in the midst of life storms and don’t be afraid to put on your life jacket, which is your support system that can come from unexpected sources. These may sound like silly clichés, but I’m here today because those who truly loved me didn’t let me wallow in my sadness but forced me to focus on what was lied dormant inside of me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Marissa.g2023 and missveeskitchen
- Facebook: MISSVEE’SKITCHEN
- Youtube: Road to Recovery part 1&2 by Marissa G
- Other: Tiktok. Marissa.g2023
Image Credits
Jeremy Watson
Reginald Hatton