Meet Valeria Trevino | CEO of The Nour Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valeria Trevino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valeria, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When the idea for The Nour Company first sprouted, it was a beautiful blend of my passions and experiences. I’m an outgoing and creative soul, and I have always loved the joy of being part of a close-knit community, celebrating with friends and family, and making people feel special through thoughtful gifts.

It all began with an online Islamic gift shop that I ran as a side-hustle. With as little as my iPad, I started designing greeting cards and tote bags with a faith-inspired touch for my Muslim friends. I just didn’t know that this spark of creativity would evolve into something bigger. With the help of social media and e-commerce platforms, my idea blossomed into a real business, and I realized there was a real gap in the market for the Muslim community.

Drawing from my professional background as a project manager and consultant, I took my business to the next level, always reflecting the values of community and inclusivity. While attending pop-up events at local vendor fairs in Los Angeles and Orange County area, I noticed a common thread among fellow Muslim women entrepreneurs – the need for support and guidance. It was then that a new project unfolded, and I kicked off monthly workshops to share essential business skills with muslim women entrepreneurs.

Through these experiences, The Nour Company was born – a company with a mission to foster a vibrant community through faith-inspired products and services that cater to the needs of the Muslim market. From our online Islamic gift shop, known as Nour Emporium, to empowering Muslim women entrepreneurs with the Nour Consortium project, we’re on a mission to make a difference.

The driving force behind The Nour Company is to create a platform that not only fills the gaps in the market but also nurtures the success of Muslim entrepreneurs in the business world. By combining my passions, skills, and experiences, we aim to strengthen the fabric of our community, one gift, one connection, and one successful business at a time.

The beauty of the broad mission of The Nour Company is that it can expand in many ways. I am currently working on a new project, Nour Modest Apparel, using my ipad and design skills to create a modest plus size fashion clothing brand, filling a gap in the modest fashion market. If you think finding regular plus size clothes is a challenge, you have no idea when it comes to modest fashion!

So you see, The Nour Company is a company founded with the intention of service. It’s more than just a business; it’s a labor of love, a way to give back to the community that has inspired and supported me from the beginning. It’s all about spreading positivity, celebrating diversity, and creating meaningful connections. Whether it’s through faith-inspired products at Nour Emporium, our empowering workshops and consulting services at Nour Consortium, or the inclusivity of Nour Modest Apparel, I strive to make a lasting impact. The joy of seeing customers and fellow entrepreneurs thrive is what keeps me going, and I’m excited to continue growing and fostering a community of love, faith, and success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart is that at our core, we’re all about fostering a sense of community through faith-inspired products and services that cater to the needs of the Muslim market. What makes us unique is our commitment to inclusivity, celebrating diversity, and empowering the Muslim community.

What am I most proud of? It’s definitely an incredible journey I’ve embarked on, starting as a small online Islamic gift shop and growing into a dynamic umbrella company with multiple ventures. The support and love we’ve received from our Muslim community have been nothing short of heartwarming.

Getting to where we are today wasn’t all smooth sailing. It had its fair share of challenges and bumps along the way. The first year with my gift shop, I only had four sales, and when I started Nour Consortium, only six ladies showed up. There were sleepless nights, financial risks, and times when self-doubt and imposter syndrome crept in. But, I overcame these hurdles by staying resilient, surrounding myself with a strong support system, and keeping my eyes on the mission that fueled my passion.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons. First and foremost, collaboration is key! Joining forces with a group of amazing Muslim women entrepreneurs, has been a game-changer. We share ideas, lift each other up, and create a thriving ecosystem where everyone can flourish.

Another lesson is to embrace failure as an opportunity to grow. Not every idea was a hit, but learning from my mistakes and adapting has been instrumental in my progress.

Lastly, this brand is all about bringing people together. We want the world to know that The Nour Company is more than just a business – it’s a movement. It’s about spreading love, positivity, and faith. It’s about supporting each other, empowering women, and fostering a sense of belonging. Through our products, workshops, and community-building efforts, we’re on a mission to create a world where muslims feel seen, loved, and celebrated.

So, to all the dreamers and hustlers out there, I want you to know that building a business may not be easy, but it’s worth every ounce of effort. If you have a vision, believe in it fiercely, and surround yourself with people who lift you higher. The Nour Company is proof that with faith and community, anything is possible!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For an epic week, we need to go from north to south, and start off with the classic touristy spots in LA – a trip to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, catching the breathtaking views from Griffith Observatory, and of course, a stroll on Santa Monica Pier.

But since we’re all about celebrating our Muslim culture, I’d take my bestie on a culinary adventure they’ll never forget. We’d have to check out the Instagram page @socalhalalfoodies, because they know all the trendiest halal spots in Southern California. From mouthwatering Middle Eastern delights to South Asian cuisine and everything in between, we have to taste our way through the diverse halal food scene in the area.

Of course, we can’t miss Little Arabia in Anaheim, a cultural hotspot for the Arab-American community. If we follow @socalfoodis, we will probably end there anyways but we’d indulge in some scrumptious shawarma and falafel, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, and perhaps even do some shopping at the Muslim shops.

When we’re ready for some downtime, a day at the beach is a must. Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are my favorite spots.

That’s probably the best Muslim-friendly itinerary of LA I can think of.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh, absolutely! I have a list of incredible people and groups who have played a pivotal role in my journey with The Nour Company. First and foremost, I want to give a massive shoutout to my amazing husband. He’s been my rock, cheering me on through all my crazy ideas, those sleepless nights, and even when I took financial risks. His unwavering support and encouragement have been the driving force behind my success.

I can’t thank my Muslim community enough. They welcomed me with open arms after my conversion, showering me with love and support. Their belief in me and my vision for The Nour Company gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward, even during challenging times.

And of course, a big heartfelt shoutout goes to the incredible ladies of Nour Consortium. These Muslim women entrepreneurs are a force to be reckoned with! Together, we share, collaborate, and uplift one another, fostering an environment of empowerment and growth. Their sisterhood has been instrumental in shaping The Nour Company into what it is today.

To all these wonderful individuals and groups who have believed in me, encouraged me, and been by my side, I owe a debt of gratitude. It’s because of their unwavering support that I stand where I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful. This success story is not just mine; it’s a testament to the power of love, mentorship, and community, and I’m excited to continue making them proud with every step forward!

Website: www.thenourcompany.com

Instagram: @valeriathehijabi

Image Credits
The large group picture was taken by Samreen Khan, LAMM The small group picture was taken by Allison Greenlea.