We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Valerie Wade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Valerie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

It has been rightly said that necessity is the mother of invention. When the need for something becomes essential or when the hunger for success eats you up, you would definitely be forced to take certain life-changing risks to turn things around.

Back then, I hated having to go do the work I do just to earn a living or have a steady income. I’ll rather work full-time on my craft, honing my entrepreneurship skills. I kept going, I continued pushing, and I never gave up even when it seemed there was no way out. There was no help, and I was semi-homeless. I was broken, and in the midst of it all, people were advising me to consider borrowing money. Funny, right?

This is perhaps one of the reasons I dislike for people asking me for money or when they feel entitled to my money because I strongly believe everyone can take risks that would ultimately increase their chances of achieving their financial or life goals. This doesn’t mean I don’t give though. If God or the universe touches my heart to give, then yes, and you wouldn’t even have to ask if that’s the case.

Back to my story. I took a big risk by quitting my main source of income to pursue my dreams full-time.

The backstory is that; I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. My job was draining me, that negative feeling of being uninspired envelopes me often, and I just knew I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose in life. I wake up daily at 4 am, head straight to the gym, and then proceed to give my time to a job I was completely tired of doing. What about the regular traffic and the incompetence of customers? They sap my energy daily.
I had to sit down and ask myself certain questions.

Do I continue to put my dreams on hold for a job and continue to struggle? Am I ready to take the risk and escape the American Nightmare? Do I take the risk, close the work chapter in my life, and focus on my craft? Is it not better to take the bull by the horn, and focus on my writing and trading skills? Do I need to keep worrying about my bills or just go after my dreams, knowing that the risk shall pay off at the end of the day?
I answered the questions, and took my destiny into my hands, knowing fully well that success must happen. It has NO choice but to happen, especially now that I am ready and able to dedicate time and attention to all my entrepreneurial endeavors.

How did it turn out?
Life is not getting longer; time is swiftly moving. Nothing beats a failure than trying. I am indeed proud of the decisions I took because life hasn’t remained the same for me. I am boldly living my dreams, doing the ultimate; trading, traveling, and writing.

My counsel to the readers.
Please accept that the world is dirty, and you alone can’t make it clean. We would be damned if we are ignorant of this fact. It’s time to take the personal risk that would catapult you into success. The American dream (reality) awaits, your dreams are valid, and they are achievable.

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?

First and foremost, it is important to state that human beings are emotional creatures by nature. We are compelled, motivated, moved, and activated by our emotions. Irrespective of the system of government that is being practiced all over the world, they all have an element of democracy, where we all have a right to say what we think without fear or threat.

Emotions are the drivers of our behaviors, killing people for what they think is right or for freely expressing themselves can be crossing the line. You must be willing to accept that people may not be persuaded by what you have to say, and you can’t go around throwing a temper tantrum and be ready to kill.

“I think too much, and I hope I don’t die. I have a family that needs me, we got to survive…”

So, I write. I write sarcastically with a spice of exoticness. My aim is to leave those that read my books flabbergasted on what’s the eloquence flavor of the read – non-fiction or fiction.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning Religion. (Jay Z said it best in SORRY NOT SORRY- DJ Khaled “America’s disrespect for me, you killed Christ, created religion, unexpectedly”) In my twenties, I had the money, but I didn’t have the right tools, knowledge, and books. Instead, I had the Holy Bible, religion, and church, which taught me how to be submissive! The suicidal thoughts were relentless. Once I chose to leave religion and seek Therapy my suicidal thoughts decreased… I’m sick and tired of being sick and f*cking tired of goddamn struggling, hoping for the best.

Two books that stirred my soul:

•The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
•The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires by Dennis Kimbro

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Reading those two books mentioned, I was disgusted with religion. Also, few other great books, however, the results are in the actions.

•The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
•Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
•The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
•What Makes the Great Great by Dennis Kimbro

Also, the 50th Law by rapper 50 Cent and author Robert Greene is good, too. A New York Times bestselling book on strategy and fearlessness, the book is a semi-autobiographical account detailing 50 Cent’s rise as both a young urban hustler and as an up-and-coming musician with lessons and anecdotes from historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Sun Tzu, Socrates, Napoleon, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. It’s powerful information. Use it wisely, though.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wadevs.com
• Instagram: val_dmmc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vswdmmc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadevalerie
• Twitter: val_dmmc

Image Credits
Laughter is good for the soul! Great comedy show with some poetry! Me enjoying picture time after the show! @ryandaviscomedy @tspringscomedian @austinhallcomedy and @camille.denine Jogging suit is ryandavis with the hat is tsprings brown sweater is austinhall and last is camille