Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Valerie Quinones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Valerie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

I feel like I’m starting over all the time. I say that in the sense that as technology evolves and people evolve, so do our business’ and the way we go about doing business.

I’m learning to 1. Ask for more help. Trusting someone with my ideas and strategies just wasn’t a thing for me. So being vulnerable enough to ask for help or to collaborate with others didn’t come easy. However, just because it seems you can do all the work on your own doesn’t mean you should. My health and amount of happiness is teaching me to invite others in to help. Let them do what they do best and I’ll do what I do best, together we create something fresh.

2. Have more fun if it’s possible. That’s where creativity can flow. New ideas spark up and you enter the zone of endless possibilities.

Valerie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a native of Ohio, born of two New yorican parents. My mother and grandmother decided to raise me in Cleveland Ohio and send me to New York with my father for the summers. I grew up dancing salsa and Hip hop at the house parties and family gatherings. At the age of 13 I started started training in Contemporary Dance at Cleveland Contemporary Dance theater as a consort member.

There trained in Modern, Jazz, African and some ballet for conditioning and technique. Through the school I was able to diversify my style of movement. At the age of 18 I started teaching classes around the city of Cleveland and auditioned for the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team. I worked on contract from 2005-2007. The team would perform at halftime for the basketball games.

I eventually left the team to teach at studios and go to school to get a license for Massage therapy. My goal was to become a Dance therapist. At the time I wanted to work on artists and performers who needed help recovering from injuries.

In 2011 I got into car accident that left me in a coma for a week. I had broken my ribs and punctured lungs. I was told that I might not be able to stand up straight again due to the injuries in my spinal chord. It took several years to regain strength and endurance. I put my dance career on the shelf for a while. I took a little detour for some serious healing and worked on creating a business plan for massage therapy.

In the 13 years I’ve practiced massage, I wound up falling in love with the holistic health practice. It’s done so much for my recovery, It’s been rewarding to share the benefits of alternative medicine with everyone I meet. From healing injuries, stabilizing your mood, to pain relief. I now contract out of several spaces including chiropractic offices. I work with sports athletes, dancers and victims of car accidents. I like to see my clients live, work and perform at their best, Feeling good about themselves again.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think what helps build my reputation in my market is that I can relate to my clients. They know I’m not just serving text book knowledge but real life experience. I understand what they are going through during their recovery. Emotionally and physically.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After focusing on my career in alternative medicine, I have been able to use the same practices to help me get back into the art of dance. Which is my first love. I can implement movement as a form of medicine along with massage, not only for myself but for others who are looking to heal.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zensoulution.com
• Instagram: Zen_soulution, Valquin360

Image Credits
Photo credits @Djcvision on Instagram.