How Valeria Hernandez built a mindful health coaching business and avoided burnout from creative work |

Find out how the wellness expert and Creator Fellowship winner Valeria Hernandez is creating an online business that is successful and encouraging women to adopt plants-based diets that honor their traditions.

When Valeria Hernandez faced obstacles with her physical health, she discovered the benefits of intuitive eating as well as plant-based nutrition. Determined to incorporate this wisdom to recipes that were based on traditional methods, Valeria started crafting authentic Mexican meals using ingredients that are vegan.

Today, Valeria shares those discoveries via VegiVale  which is a wellness business that is based on plants that aids clients in eating more tasty fruit and vegetables, savor the cultural foods they love, and live energized lives.

But Valeria's creator journey was not always easy.

Along the way, Valeria faced a toxic rush culture that was prevalent in the internet market and was pressured to join the crowd even though her intuition pulled her in a different direction. Valeria also learned to shift her perspective of an employee and become a decision-making business owner and balancing her growing enterprise with the traditional 9-5 work timetable.

By tackling these issues, Valeria could create her ideal business, establish an environment that is sustainable for her work and life, and carve her own path.

Here's how Valeria is inspiring women to eat plant-based meals that celebrate their heritage -- while also building the business of coaching based on authenticity along the way.

Starting out in the wellness space

At the time, she lived in a town in which she had no friends. When she graduated from college, and settling into full-time employment, Valeria was lonely. She was physically not feeling well either. Valeria had been following the vegan lifestyle for a couple of years, but was unable to find satisfying and satisfying meals.

"I sort of fumbled into it when I started my vegan path. I went the route of having french fries with salad in the dining halls at my college and it was not allowing me to get my nutrients. So it was no wonder that I wasn't feeling great."

Realizing there was a way to address both issues all at once, Valeria found connections within the vegan community. She hired a health coach who was a specialist in veganism and learned about the types of foods she needed to take in order to remain active, meet the nutritional requirements of her body, and feel better throughout the day. .

Utilizing the lessons that her coach instructed her led to a 180deg transformation. Inspired, Valeria become a health coach to help other people live their best lives.

Valeria began coaching through an organization that was a part of a network marketing However, she was not happy with how the program focused heavily on weight loss and dieting. She felt limited by the one-to-many coaching approach and stressed by being constantly pressured to acquire many more clients.

Valeria wanted to create an experience that was personalized and hands-on for her clients that gave the client more flexibility. Then, 2020 happened.

Amidst worldwide chaos, Valeria determined that she was finally ready to tackle things in her own style.

Finding the first few clients

But then Valeria realized she could turn on her connections from the past for experience, and then help her develop the business idea.

First, Valeria used contacts she'd built in networking marketing. They already knew about her coaching style and wanted an experience that was intimate and personal.

Following that, Valeria reached out to her friends from the group she knew through the school system, in her community families, connections to family members, and also to friends from the same circle.

It was initially a little nerve-racking when she discussed her business idea to "real-life" family members and friends ones, but these people proved to be the biggest supporters of her.

The business blossomed. "I started one-on one coaching, and I really liked it" she tells us.

"I've pivoted a couple of various ways within my company, but my main goal is to help people consume more vegetables. It's not my intention to force people to change to a vegan diet. A majority of my clients don't even consider themselves vegetarians, but I focus on helping them eat healthier vegetables and to listen to their bodies."

The decision to niche down

With her first few clients under her belt, Valeria had a better idea of how she wanted her business to appear like. Her next step was to identify her audience. But the thought of narrowing her audience -- - and the potential pool of customers -- seemed daunting initially.

"It's tempting to to make something for everybody and assist as many as you can."

Now, Valeria believes that serving an area of expertise is what is what makes her company stand out. She chose to specialize in serving women of color because she noticed these clients often faced the same issues she'd had to face in her own experience.

"I thought this might be a really cool subset of my clients as a Latina I know what they're experiencing. I'm able to address certain issues that they're having difficulty with, that other individuals wouldn't."

Valeria designed her program in order to aid women of color to integrate their ethnic cuisines in their food choices.

"I assist people in reconnecting with their cultural foods because we're often taught that our food choices aren't healthy however this isn't always accurate," Valeria elaborates. "That mindset comes from the diet culture and white supremacy. eliminating all that is based on providing people with a healthy lifestyle is the goal I'm pursuing."

"There are seven billion people in the world. When you try to help everybody and speak to everybody it's really talking to no one. It's a lot more powerful in the event that you concentrate on a small group of people that you've developed a relationship with... because they understand that you're talking exclusively to the people they are talking to."

Making use of a simplified and simplified company

After solidifying her business concept and deciphering the target market, Valeria turned to to establish her online home base. She currently sells health coaching sessions and an online cookbook that features vegan Mexican recipes on her website.

Being a customer, Valeria knew making different accounts for different platforms to access one creator's material was not ideal. She was not willing to put her customers through the same experience.

" helps on the entrepreneur's side and on the client's part. "Customers have one login, and they can access everything they purchased directly from me."

Valeria insists that you do not need to employ the same equipment as entrepreneurs earning six or seven figures when you're first starting out. Utilizing these expensive programs won't guarantee that you'll have similar results. Likewise, having to pay for huge bill payments can create an unnecessary burden.

" really helps streamline things. I'm all about simplicity, especially at this stage within my company."

Tips for other entrepreneurs and creators!

In response to a question about what advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs, Valeria said that it is to listen to your gut, discover your balance in life and work, take a stand, and prioritize the health of your body and mind.

Listen to your inner voice and go with what you feel is natural

In her time at the helm of the VegiVale , Valeria learned that being your own person is what makes your company unique.

"Put your blinders in since it's tempting to take a look at what everybody else is doing. If you spot a hundred people who are doing the same thing then you're likely to want to do that too," she remarks. "It's absolutely natural to compare .... However, the beauty of being an artist is that you're one of a one of a kind. No one can do your work the way you do it."

"The amazing aspect of being a creative is the fact that you're unique of a one of a kind. No one can do what you do, in the manner you approach it."

"Even even though there are millions of health professionals available, I am aware that what I am saying that it is going to be received differently than when someone else says the same thing. Our words will be heard by different individuals. When you try to follow the norm, you'll are losing that distinctive voice."

What this, Valeria explains, is the secret sauce you have for being a creator.

Valeria advises entrepreneurs to embrace what feels good, even if that means doing things differently from others within your industry. "Everyone's connected to TikTok today," she points out, "There are so many health coaches there, and I felt as if I was not being seen. After I joined the platform, I felt like I was missing out, and it was not my kind of vibe."

For Valeria, this format felt more genuine and enjoyable.

"I am unable to say everything that I have to say in fifteen to 60 seconds. But newsletters have stood the test of time. I'd like something that is lasting if I'm willing spend time and energy on it. If I followed the crowds and did TikTok and ignore the fact that I find it difficult and that I'm not enjoying it."

This doesn't mean you should brush aside anychallenge that you face in your work however, if there's something that makes you slack consider alternative options.

Create a balanced work-life balance

Nevertheless, many entrepreneurs fall into the easy trap of overworking.

    Sometimes, the toxic hustle culture is at fault.    

In the days of network marketing, Valeria always felt pressured to grind and get clients. Her schedule was full of work in the evenings after her work hours and miss out on quality time with her family and friends.

The constant hustle didn't produce the desired results and Valeria's mental condition deteriorated due to her absence from her family and friends.

    Sometimes, the creators work too much because they're passionate.    

"Creators are more at risk due to the fact that we are passionate about our work. We tend to blur the lines between work and passion, life and content creation. When you're really enthusiastic in what you do and the vision you have will be difficult to turn off."

Valeria's solution: Take control of your work schedule and plan your company to ensure you have your work/life balance that you desire.

"I observe numerous entrepreneurs and creatives who have quit their day jobs just to duplicate that model in their business," Valeria says. "Why would you do that? What is the reason you would only have two days off a week on Saturday and Sunday? Doesn't this defeat the point?"

The power is yours, and you can:

Use your days off as needed.

Reduce your hours and not feel guilty.

Decide to take the time to handle fewer clients and are able to have more time.

Set attainable goals for yourself with a reasonable timeframe.

Don't follow the rules simply because you're familiar with it.

"Don't ignore what's important," Valeria reminds fellow creators. "You have a whole life that isn't just online."

Make sure you are confident in making major decision

At the beginning of her venture, Valeria struggled to make crucial decisions. She now realizes that listening to her gut and committing is critical to moving forward.

"The way you function at work differs from the way you operate as an entrepreneur" she explains.

"In an ordinary job, there are deadlines, tasks as well as steps. But you have someone guiding you. When you're an entrepreneur, it's just yours. You're calling the shots and making decisions, and you need to be confident in these decisions."

It's quite a burden for someone who is a novice creator. When she's struggling with indecision, Valeria reminds herself that "not making a choice is inherently a choice." This can help her to make her mind and execute the strategy.

It is important to prioritize your physical and mental well-being

In the end, Valeria emphasizes how important it is to take care of yourself. Through her entire journey, Valeria noticed that when she didn't feel well physically or mentally, her business suffered. When she felt good the business thrived.

To ensure that wellness is on the top of the list, Valeria follows the same tips she provides clients she coaches. "How could I tell my clients to rest for 8 hours every night, drink their water and eat their vegetables when I'm not?" she asks.

"I always ask myself, "If I was my own customer, what would I tell me to do in this situation What would I tell myself to do?"

What's coming up for VegiVale?

Valeria has helped numerous women from diverse backgrounds live better lives by utilizing her VegiVale's products  program, publications as well as her newsletter , and we know it's only the beginning.

"With the help by my virtual assistant we're working on a course which will launch in the coming months. It's in the baby phase right now, but I wouldn't be able to work on it without her assistance," Valeria notes.

In embracing her distinct voice, ensuring an appropriate balance between work and life taking tough choices, and prioritizing wellness, Valeria built a freeing and enjoyable online company. By establishing a solid foundation and a strong foundation, there's no limit. We're eager for what else she creates in the future!