How Valeria Hernandez set up a mindful health coaching company while avoiding exhaustion

Discover how health trainer as well as Creator Fellowship Winner Valeria Hernandez is creating a successful online business inspiring women to embrace plant-based foods that celebrate their culture.

In the time that Valeria Hernandez faced obstacles with her body, she discovered the power of intuitive eating and plants-based nutrition. Eager to apply this knowledge to the traditional cooking methods, Valeria started crafting authentic Mexican recipes using vegan ingredients.

Today, Valeria shares those discoveries via the VegiVale , a plant-based health coaching business that helps clients eat more delicious fruit and vegetables, savor their favorite foods from the culture they love, and live energized lives.

However, Valeria's journey as a creator was not always easy.

Through the course of her journey, Valeria faced a toxic hustle culture in the online space and felt pressured to join the crowd regardless of her own instincts that was pulling her in a different direction. She also learned how to transform her thinking as an employee into a decision-making entrepreneur and balancing her growing enterprise with the regular 9-5 timetable.

By tackling these issues, Valeria managed to create her dream business, create an environment that is sustainable for her work and life, and create her own unique path.

Here's how Valeria has inspired women to embrace the plant-based diet that honor their culture -- and building the business of coaching based on authentic values along the way.

Starting out with wellness

At the time she was living in a town in which she had no friends. Following her graduation from college and transitioning into full-time employment, Valeria was lonely. Her physical health was not great either. Valeria had been following an all-vegan diet for few years but struggled to come up with satisfying and nutritious meal options.

"I sort of fumbled into it when I started my vegan path. I went the route of eating french fries and salads at the dining hall at college, which often didn't allow me to get my nutritional needs. Therefore, it wasn't surprising I was not feeling well."

Realizing there was a way to tackle both problems simultaneously, Valeria found connections within the vegan community. The health coach she hired was that specialized in eating plant-based and learned about the types of things she required to consume to keep her active, meet her nutritional needs as well as feel better across the board .

Applying what her coach had instructed her led to making a 180deg shift. Inspired, Valeria become a health coach in order to help people live their best lives.

Valeria was a coach with an organization that was a part of a network marketing however she wasn't a fan of the fact that the focus of the program was on weight loss and dieting. She felt limited by the one-to-many coaching approach and was stressed due to the pressure of constantly acquiring many more clients.

Valeria dreamed of creating the perfect, personalized experience for clients, which would allow the client more flexibility. Then, 2020 happened.

With the world in chaos Valeria thought she was finally ready to tackle things the way she wanted to.

First few clients to be found

But then Valeria realized she could turn upon her network of contacts for experience, and then develop her idea for a business.

The first step was to Valeria utilized contacts she'd established via network marketing. These individuals already knew and appreciated Valeria's style of coaching and were interested in an experience that was intimate and personal.

Following that, Valeria reached out to her circle of friends she had met through the school system, in her community as well as family connections and mutual friends.

Initially, it was nerve-wracking to talk about the business plan she had in mind in front of "real-life" acquaintances and beloved ones. But, they turned out to be some of her biggest fans.

The company grew. "I began doing one-on-one coaching and really, really loved that," she tells us.

"I've switched around a few various ways within my company, but my main passion is still helping people to eat more plant-based foods. It's not my intention to force people to go vegan. A majority of my clients are not even vegetarian However, my focus is on helping them eat healthier vegetables and to listen to their bodies."

The decision to niche down

Once she had her first clients to her credit, Valeria had a better understanding of what she wanted her company to look like. The next thing she had to do was determine her ideal client. The thought of narrowing her target audience- - and the potential pool of clients -- was intimidating initially.

"It's tempting to to create something that will benefit everyone and assist as many as is possible."

In the present, Valeria believes that serving an area of expertise is part of what is what makes her company stand out. She decided to focus on servicing women of color as she observed that these customers often faced the same issues she'd had to face on her own.

"I realized this could be an extremely cool group of my clients, and being Latina I know what is going on for them. I can speak to specific things they would be experiencing that many people don't."

Valeria designed her program to assist women from different backgrounds to incorporate their cultural cuisines in their food choices.

"I help them reconnect with their food traditions because it is often believed that cultural foods are not healthy, which is not necessarily accurate," Valeria elaborates. "That mindset comes from diet culture and white supremacy. dismantling all of that by helping people with their health is the goal I'm pursuing."

"There are seven billion people on the planet. When you try to help everybody and speak to everybody but you're actually speaking to nobody. This is a lot stronger in the event that you concentrate on a small segment of people with whom you've built a community around... since they are aware that you're communicating specifically to the people they are talking to."

Utilizing for a more efficient and simplified company

After solidifying her business concept and identifying her target audience, Valeria turned to to create her virtual home base. Her current offerings include wellness coaching sessions along with the digital cookbook of vegan Mexican recipes through her website.

As a user, Valeria knew making different accounts for different platforms to access one creator's content was frustrating. Valeria didn't want to force her clients through the same experience.

" helps for the business owner and on the client's aspect. Customers only need one login and can use it to access everything they purchased through me."

Valeria also emphasizes the fact that you don't have to use the same expensive tools as six-or seven-figure entrepreneurs as you begin your career. Utilizing these expensive programs won't guarantee that you'll have the same results, and having to pay for huge monthly bills can add excessive pressure.

" really helps streamline things. I'm all for simplicity in particular at this time within my company."

Advice for other creators and entrepreneurs!

When asked what tips she would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Valeria said that that you listen to your gut, discover the balance between work and life, make a decision, and prioritize the health of your body and mind.

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

After building the VegiVale , Valeria learned that doing your own thing creates a unique business.

"Put your blinders on because it's easy to take a look at what everybody other people are doing. If you spot a hundred people doing this one thing, you're going to desire to join in too," she remarks. "It's completely normal to make comparisons. .... But the beautiful thing about being a creator is that you are one of a kind. There is no one else who can achieve what you do in the way you do it."

"The wonderful aspect of being a creative is that you are one of one of a kind. There is no one else who can achieve what you do, in the manner you approach it."

"Even although there are thousands of health coaches on the market, I'm sure when I say something the message will be different than when someone else says similar things. The messages we share will resonate with diverse individuals. If you are trying to be part of the mainstream, you are losing that distinctive voice."

The reason for this, Valeria explains, is your special sauce when you are a writer.

Valeria is also adamant that entrepreneurs accept what they feel comfortable with regardless of making your own choices within your field. "Everyone's on TikTok at the moment," she points out, "There are so many health professionals on the platform, and I thought I was not being seen. After I joined the platform, I felt like I was missing out however, it didn't match my kind of vibe."

For Valeria, this format felt more authentic and enjoyable.

"I am unable to say everything that I have to say in 15 to 60 seconds. But newsletters have stood up to the years. I'm looking for something lasting if I'm willing spend time and energy on it. If I listened to the people I'd do TikTok and forget that I find it difficult and that I'm not enjoying the experience."

This doesn't mean you shouldn't ignore eachchallenge in your business, but if something makes you slack you should think about alternative options.

Find a balance between work and life.

However, many entrepreneurs fall into the easy mistake of working too hard.

    Sometimes, the toxic hustle culture can be the cause.    

In her network marketing days, Valeria always felt pressured to work hard and gain more customers. It was her job to work till late each night after working a regular job, and then miss precious time with family members.

The constant hustle didn't produce results, and Valeria's mental condition deteriorated due to her absence from the people she loved and her family.

    Sometimes, the creators are able to work for hours because they're enthused.    

"Creators are more at risk since we enjoy the work we do. We tend to blur the line between passion and overworking or life, and also content creation. When you're really enthusiastic in what you do and what you want to achieve will be difficult to let go."

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

"I see so many entrepreneurs and creators who have quit their day jobs and then re-create that same structure in their business," Valeria says. "Why why would you want to do this? Why would you only take two days off in a week, on Sunday and Saturday? Isn't that defeating the purpose?"

You're the boss, therefore you're able to:

Take days off when needed.

Work fewer hours without feeling shameful.

Decide to take less clients, so that you can are able to have more time.

Set attainable goals for yourself on a realistic timeline.

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

"Don't lose sight of what's important," Valeria reminds fellow creators. "You are a person outside of the internet."

Be confident when you make big decisions

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

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

"In the traditional work environment you have deadlines, assignments and procedures, however, it's a team that guides you. When you're an entrepreneur, it's just you. The only person who can make decisions is you. making the decisions. You must be confident about the decisions you make."

It's an enormous amount of stress on a brand-new creator. When she's struggling with indecision, Valeria reminds herself that "not making a choice is inherently a decision." This allows her to form her mind , and then execute an action strategy.

Prioritize your physical and mental well-being

Finally, Valeria emphasizes how important it is to take good care of your health. Throughout her journey, Valeria noticed that when she was not feeling well emotionally or physically the business was affected. When she felt great and her business flourished, it was a success.

In order to keep health at the forefront, Valeria follows the same advice she gives her clients who she coaches. "How can I instruct my clients to rest for 8 hours every evening, drink plenty of water, and eat their vegetables when I'm not doing that?" she asks.

"I often think about if I were my own client, what would I tell myself to say in this circumstance What would I tell myself to do?"

What's next for VeviVale?

Valeria has already assisted many women of color lead more healthy lives with her VegiVale's content  program, publications and newsletter  as well as through her newsletter, and we are sure it's only the beginning.

"With the assistance of my virtual assistant, we're currently developing a course which will launch later this year. It's in the baby stages right now, but I'd be unable to develop it without her assistance," Valeria notes.

Through embracing her distinctive voice, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, making tough decisions, as well as putting wellness first, Valeria built a freeing and enjoyable online venture. With solid foundations there is no limit to what she can do. We're eager to find out what the artist does next!