We had the good fortune of connecting with Vida Valdes BIPOC Spiritual Advisor, Minister & Elder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vida Valdes, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My authenticity, my vulnerability and my transparency. I don’t pretend to be polished, well put together or content creator material. I am just me which can be totally sophisticated, calm and collected. Or I can be a hot mess, vulgar and loud. It is okay because my truth always aligns me with the success in my brand. I am consistent with my community even when I take a break from social media. I have several outlets for my community to reach me in multiple ways.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of my work with the community. There are several spiritual advisors, life coaches, shamans out in the world but we are not the same. I am not better than anyone else but I am different. I specialize in many different modalities because I have been in many stages of this human life. I got where I am right because of my faith, if I didn’t believe in myself more than anything else I would not be the woman I am today. I know that sounds cliche but it is the truth. Ummm, hell no this was not easy, I hustled my ass off to be who I am. The lessons that taught me the most over time is my consistent “failure” I failed time and time again but I am so thankful for it! Crazy right? But without failure there is no success. I don’t look at it as failure it is actually learning lessons. They were definitely needed to get to my success. I overcame them with the support of my family, my community & within myself. I had to do alot of shadow work, ugh healing is so ghetto & ratchet when it wants to be. I learned it’s okay to messed up, flawed, & even broken in this life. It’s in those spaces that you get to see the light in your truth even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to Philadelphia and show them all of the city, it is truly gorgeous downtown but also the orchards in Hammonton, NJ. It is amazing to see nature in its rawest forms. I love to cook so a lot of intimate dinners at home and on my property. Art museums is a must as well going to the boardwalk in Atlantic City. The most amazing places are able to happen due to the company you keep even if the company is just yourself. I always try to have an open mind to new places and spaces. That curiosity makes anything adventurous.

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?
My shoutout first and foremost is to my Creator, Guardian Angels, Ancestors, Orishas, Saints, Elementals & Deities that I work with & walk with me regardless of the stage in my life. For my mother because she is finally seeing that my truth is as important as hers & our family history. I love you Mami! My children who inspire me to be me & let my inner child to play as often as I want & need. To my husband, who pushed me to do my work full time & not hesitate in my abilities & my service to my community. To my godmother, Omo Remi, thank you for never walking away from me. To my Padrino & jubon, Oloju Irawo, thank you for holding my hand no matter. To my godchildren, y’all are amazing & to my community thank you. Without all of you there would be no me!!!

Website: https://www.thealmightypineapple.com/

Instagram: @readingsbyvida

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vida-valdes-585022222/

Twitter: @readingsbyvida

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQaBYrSMcAEhz486hBgtr3A

Other: Tiktok @readingsbyvida VidaValdes.com

Image Credits
Denisse Myrick

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