Restoring Hope with Deborah Bigda
Deborah is a passionate entrepreneur who is committed to igniting women with hope to live a life full of passion. She believes that every women is destined for greatness and just needs the right community to help achieve it. As a mother of 4, married for over 27 years, she has experienced both the highs and the lows of life. She knows all too well what it feels like to be thrown into a trench, through no fault of her own, and the challenges of finding the treasure when all hope seems to have disappeared. While facing years of unemployment, she and her husband also endured skin cancer, a tornado, loss of a parent and a depression so dark that no light ever seemed possible.
After climbing out of this trench, Deborah finally found relief for herself and her family through a holistic approach. As a holistic health coach, Deborah is committed to teaching women how to restore health for both themselves and their families, as well as restoring hope to those who feel like all is lost .
Join her each week as she and her guest speakers share from their hearts so that you may have your hope restored and live life to its fullest being the person that God has designed you to be.
Restoring Hope with Deborah Bigda
Your Predicament Does NOT Determine Your Destiny!! From Homeless to 100 million Homes
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
From homeless to 100 million homes. Raised in very humble beginnings in a super-impoverished neighborhood of Philadelphia, Lia Valencia Key lived in a homeless shelter with her mother, sister, and brother. Even in such dark times her mom told her, "Your predicament does not determine your destiny." She encouraged Lia to never leave the house without wearing her sparkling earrings, because they would serve as reminders of the light within.
Shattering glass ceilings obtaining a bachelor's degree in business, master's degree in education, a cosmetology instructor's license, becoming a global hair & makeup artist, and receiving a United States patent. Lia continued to listen to the light within creating VALENCIA KEY JEWELRY company. “Wearable JOY” that symbolizes ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, If You Can BELIEVE IT, You Can Achieve It!
Created to inspire and unlock the bravery and light within. Lia's VALENCIA KEY JEWELRY, launched on QVC, one of the largest television shopping networks in the World. With the Power of Believing Lia went From homelessness to inspiring through jewelry in over 100 Million homes.
Big Dreams continue to come true; VALENCIA KEY Jewelry has been featured in OPRAH Magazine 2020 Favorite Things Issue, A Keynote speaker to over 216k attendees at Jamie Kern Lima’s BECOMING UNSTOPPABLE “BELIEVE IT” event- sharing the stage with life changing GREATS such as Robin Roberts, Ed Mylett, Brendon Burchard, Dean Graziosi, and Tony Robbins, & VALENCIA KEY featured PBS national network show Startup episode .
Lia reaches back to where she comes from donating & educating women in homeless shelters on the Keys to Light, how to rise up out of ruff environments. Lia is a living example that all things are possible by rooting into the power of Choosing Joy, Believing and Radiating Light. In Lia’s Loving words “If I Can, YOU Definitely Can”!
Connect with Lia!!
www.valenciakey.com
IG - https://www.instagram.com/liavalenciakey/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/valenciakeydesign/
Download your free workbook on the 5 Pillars to Your Overall Well-being. Click link https://deborahbigda.com/downloadable-5-pillars-to-well-being
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From Poverty to Hope
Speaker 1My beginning is what makes me who I am today . I was born in poverty . There was a moment we went from poverty to destitute . My mother , my sister , brother and I are pulled up on this one cot . There's moaning and sorrow and crying and profanity and hopelessness just filling this room . I can see it so clear and hear it .
Speaker 1But what I love to share in that moment was it was the first seed that was planted in my life and it was from my mother . She looked down in the midst of all this darkness and she spoke life and said your predicament does not determine it . There's this power in speaking life into your life and into other people's life , and it's like how do you choose to use your words ? And I feel that was so beautiful because in that moment of trauma , not knowing what was going to happen to us , my mother chose to speak life .
Speaker 1Because it's not my story that I want to share , it's the tools of this human being that was handed a deck of cards . I don't know if anybody plays cards . I had to hand it a deck and decide it and looked at it and none of the cards looked like a winner . But turn those cards around sideways , look through them , look and found the goodness within that deck and said I don't care how small it is , I'm going to use what I can see that can be a possible glimmer of goodness Maybe not for me , but as a hope and a prayer .
Speaker 2I'm Deborah Big Day , and this is the Restoring Hope podcast , where you can come to discover that , no matter how bleak your situation may seem , you can experience true hope and ultimate health . And I'm not referring to just your physical health . I'm talking about a holistic approach to your health , including your mental , emotional , spiritual and financial health . Join me as I share inspiring stories , incredible guests and tangible actions that will transform you into the healthiest version of you , that version of you that is fully restored and hopeful for all that is possible . Welcome everybody . I am so thrilled to have today with me Leah Valencia Key . She is such an amazing , amazing person . As you know , I am the Queen of Hope and I love to encourage people that there is treasure to be found , no matter how dark your journey is Now . I met Leah in January at an event and what attracted me to her was just her genuine joy and her hope and the light that just literally radiated out from her . She was like a magnet to people and she made you feel like you were the only person in the room and she was thrilled to be there with you , right ? Because sometimes people might be the only one in the room with you and they're not thrilled , but she genuinely wants you to be seen , heard and feel the love . I asked her to join me today because I love stories of hope and all of you know that and I never want us to compare one story to another , because every story is different and one person's struggle does not mean that they struggled harder or they're you know whatever like they're a better person because they had a harder trial . But I really genuinely feel that everybody would benefit from hearing Leah's story and also I want to be able to let you know about her incredible jewelry line . We are not on video so you cannot see my jewelry , but I am going to be taking pictures . In just a second . I'm going to be posting so you can see the two of us and this absolutely gorgeous necklace and earrings that I have on . So , without further ado , I'm going to give the formal introduction of Leah .
From Homelessness to Inspiring Millions
Speaker 2Leah is from homeless to 100 million homes . Raised in humble beginnings in an impoverished neighborhood of Philadelphia , leah Valencia Key lived in a homeless shelter with her mother , sister and brother . Even in such dark times , her mom told her Leah , your predicament does not determine your destiny , shattering glass ceilings . Leah has a master's degree in education , a cosmetology instructor's license , is a global hair and makeup artist , holds a US cotton and continued to listen to the light by creating Valencia Key jewelry company Wearable jewelry that symbolizes all things are possible . If you can believe it , you can achieve it . Created to inspire and unlock the bravery and light within Valencia Key jewelry , launched on QVC With the power of believing , leah went from homelessness to inspiring through jewelry in over 100 million homes . But her big dreams continue to come true .
Speaker 2Valencia Key jewelry has been featured in Oprah Magazine's favorite things issue . Leah was a keynote speaker for Jamie Kern-Limas Believing or Becoming Unstoppable event with over 216,000 attendees sharing the stage with greats such as Ed Milette , brenna Bruchard , dean Gracios and Tony Robbins . But Leah does not forget where she came from . She reaches back by donating and educating women in homeless shelters on the keys to light , how to rise up out of rough environments . Leah is a living example that all things are possible by rooting into the power of choosing joy , believing and radiating light . And Leah's loving words . If I can , you definitely can . Leah . Thank you so much for being here .
Speaker 1Thank you , Deborah . This is just like such an honor to actually share hearts together with you and everyone that's listening . It's joy from our spirit .
Speaker 2Yes , yes . So I know I don't like dwelling on like the past , right , because we don't want to make ourselves like , feel like the victim , but I also feel like there's just , there's facts to where we come from and there's nothing wrong with , you know , remembering the facts . And I would love for you to kind of just if you will take us back , since I love , I am the Queen of Hope and I am all about restoring hope , I would love for you just to start by taking us back , if you don't mind , to like your beginnings , and then obviously I want to hear everything , but if you don't mind , just take us back to the beginning and paint us a picture .
Speaker 1Yes , oh , I love starting at the beginning , because I feel like my beginning is what makes me who I am today . Like when you shared thank you for sharing such beautiful words in the open , I was like , oh , who's that person ? I want to be in the room with her . And when you shared about , like really enjoying being in the space with every heart that's with you , it all comes from understanding the power , gratitude and appreciation for things around you . And that started from me , from a youth , because I was born in poverty and lack and I equated to darkness . I was born to a single , amazing one of the most intelligent women that I know , my mother . She's no longer with us , but through generational curses and being physically paralyzed by fear , my mother couldn't break out of these society norms of poverty . But what was beautiful is my mother used her voice to speak life and to her children's heart .
Speaker 1My sister , my brother and I there was a moment we went from poverty to destitute . So when I say poverty , I'm talking about . We lived in a small one bedroom apartment in the roughest neighborhood of Philadelphia , under someone's home , where there's violence , drug transactions , just so many trash riddling the streets . That's what I was born into . And then there was a moment where we went from poverty to destitute , when my mother broke her leg in several places and she couldn't even afford to do the little work that she was trying to do to pay the apartment . And that day she stands out in my head all the time my mother's trying to get her children home from school and get to the door and there's a pet life on the door and now that's a mother with three children standing there with no place to go , no place to take her children , all our little belongings locked inside of this door . That immediately took us to a woman's homeless shelter . That I'd like to describe for visual because even current time .
Speaker 1But things get very challenging . I'm like what does that feel like ? Well , when we landed I kind of tried to black out tragedy , but I remember that room so vivid . It was like a gym size room , if you can imagine , a cot which is these hard pull out beds . One mother gets a cot to the entire family and there's cuts one foot apart filling the whole entire gym room . So my mother , my sister , brother and I are all up on this one cot . There's moaning and sorrow and crying and profanity and hopelessness just filling this room . I can see it so clear and hear it .
Speaker 1But what I love to share in that moment was it was the first seed that was planted in my life and it was from my mother . She looked down in the midst of all this darkness and she spoke life and said your predicament does not determine you and I know it was red in my bio , thank you . But I always love sharing that because there's so many parts to that . Now I'm 44 . I was about age eight , third grade , so super young , just to give you that understanding .
Speaker 1But there's this power in speaking life into your life and into other people's life and it's like how do you choose to use your words ? And I feel that was so beautiful because in that moment of trauma and not knowing what was going to happen to us , my mother chose to speak life . Yes , isn't that cool . So I just love anyone that's listening to hopefully encourage you in the most beautiful times . Of course we speak life Right . I love taking the oxymoron of that because sometimes , when great things happen , we damn it . I mean , okay , it's not that I mean , but I need to do and I can't wait to do , and we don't celebrate that greatness . So , even in the most beautiful times , I'd love to encourage you to celebrate and speak the beauty of what it is and then , in the darkest times , we still have the power to speak truth that we may not see at that moment . And that truth that my mother spoke to me was a seed , because at that time I was so young I didn't get it . I'm here , 44 , speaking it today , which is amazing . So that means that later in my heart it's grow , until later to believe , because I became my environment . We stayed in the homeless shelter and I started to become very everything that I saw failing , speaking , bad , like all the things and I love to share , like the true light that I remember .
Speaker 1The first actual light that was turned on in my life was me coming home from school and I see my mother at the homeless shelter door and I'm looking like , oh , doesn't look good to me . What in the world is about to go down ? What is she going to find me doing wrong ? And I get to in front of her and she says Leah , do you want to be a follower or leader ? That was interesting , I'm like , and she says right now you're following and , leah , everything I see you doing is exactly what you're going to become , or Leah ? You have the power . You have the power to choose . You have the power to lead your life . There's a light inside of you , there's a destiny whispering within , and all you have to do is choose to follow the light towards your destiny . And now , leah , you choose to lead it . And she walked away . Wow , so beautiful , I love you , I love you .
Speaker 2I think there were several things I just definitely remember coming back to you in the back of the room and just saying , like , what a hero your mother was Right because to be able to see the light in all that darkness , and how easy it would have been to allow herself to Like , just have the like , the self pity , the , the victim Hood , and just be like there is no way out of this .
Speaker 2You know , we are all going to become exactly what we are surrounded by , but I was just in total awe of the hero that your mom was , even though you sat at the event . Like you know , my mom was a prisoner , physically , of her environment and it was interesting I did not hear . I know every time you speak , like you know , you have just a certain amount of time , so different parts of the story come out . So I've actually listened to a couple of your other podcasts on it , really enjoyed it because I've heard different pieces and parts . But you hear like the story of how you , how your mother or you know , broke her leg , yeah , and then having to go . That's how you ended up in the homeless shelter . But I just I think what an amazing human your mother was yeah .
Speaker 2And when she had that mama bear , look on her face like as you're walking back , and you're like , oh gosh , I know I'm in trouble because I know that , look , he didn't yell at you , no , gave you basically a choice . That's what I love .
Speaker 1Like I love I feel there's so many symbols that I use and tools that I use .
The Power of Millimeter Movements
Speaker 1That's why I love sharing them , because it's not my story that I want to share , it's the tools of this human being that was Handed a deck of cards I don't know if anybody plays cards but handed a deck and Decided and looked at it and none of the cards looked like a winner . But turn those cards around sideways , look through them , look and found the goodness within that deck and said I don't care how small it is , I'm gonna use what I can see that can be a possible glimmer of goodness . Maybe not for me , but as a hope and a prayer , I'm gonna use the card . I don't even know if it was a hope . I think it was as a , as a effort to Put out the truth that she knew . Like she knew the truth , she just kind of get a little line for herself . So if , who are we now like ? Do we know the truth for us or for others ? And Maybe it doesn't look that great .
Speaker 1That's why I love you , the queen of hope , because it's like If you keep looking at something in different angles and you look for the light , you will find it and you will be able to Do the , the actions which I love . Maybe she can do physical actions , but her actions were spoken word , yes , and her spoken word , literally , is why I'm able to speak to you today . We know that the reason , because there's so many of the young hearts that I was in the homeless shelter with and in school in that environment with that did not have a parent that was speaking life and say there , you know , and and the trajectory that that turned out . So I'm so grateful . Do something , whatever it is . Do something like I told you before I'm saying whatever it is .
Speaker 1Do something like I talked about the millimeter movements , because it's the smallest , it's the smallest Hection a millimeter when I got into creating jewelry will talk about that , but the millimeter is the smallest measurement on a ruler , mm-hmm . And some may say , oh , what is speaking something out gonna do ? If it's not a physical action , what does it do ? I feel that speaking Plants seeds . Yes and .
Speaker 1I believe that when you consistently speak something out , it has to grow , it has to go into a physical action and I'm a living byproduct of it .
Speaker 2Yeah , no , I love that . I mean , I've heard many times things like you know what you focus on ? Grows .
Speaker 2Yes right and so if we're going to focus on the negative and focus on the you know , the tragedy of the environment that you're around , then that is like literally all you can ever think about . But , like you said , if you just find that teeny , tiny , like the littlest of seed right , like the mustard seeds , the smallest seed in the world For the largest tree right tiniest speck of light that she gave you and you kind of started to focus on that and then , by focusing on that , you let it grow , so I'd love to hear , like what is it when she said do you want to be a follower or a leader ? What millimeter choice or decision or action did you take ?
Speaker 1So I'm preventing Lee , it was so clear . I went back to school the next day . I can't remember many of my school days , but I remember that school day . I went back to school and I start to just share where I Knew I wanted to be . And so the first thing is I went to my teacher and I was like I don't want to get bad grades anymore . Hmm , how can I get better grades ? And then I asked how do I see beyond what I live in ? Wow , and those beautiful shares ? Like I don't want to do that . I don't want this for me . How and why ? And I I love encouraging , like two things when you talk about millimeter movements .
Speaker 1One is pray up . If you believe in a higher power . I believe in God . Whatever your connection is there , I believe there's something bigger than you . And now the one thing is when you see your destiny and you see your life , don't deny it it will seem crazy because it'll seem so unrealistic . Realistic , like what . I can't do that , like I can't get better grades . I've been failing for how many years . It's impossible . But the light said you can and and that's the truth . So the first thing is to come from outside of you , come from seeking these external approvals and guidance , from what you see other people do and using that as a barometer of your truth . And Because that's what I was doing , I was seeing other people's actions and now became my truth and so I became that and then when my mother gave me that blessing to shift inward , so I'd say the first millimeter movement now I'm actually dissecting a little better for you .
Speaker 1I think the first leader movement is to shift inward right , because I became a young child that was looking outside of her to immediately when she said oh , you can choose within a what it didn't whisper in all the time . I didn't want to be that . It never felt . It felt very uncomfortable for me . I knew it wasn't my truth , but I didn't know anything different . Right , and so I'm .
Speaker 1One is today like I know this isn't my truth . Whatever it is , and it could be a really good situation . I don't like just putting this like dark challenge . You know really gave praise and you could be like but this isn't my truth , there's something else . So then I'd ask you to shift with them and then really listen and and look with them like maybe it is getting quiet with yourself .
Speaker 1For me , I just saw it , like I feel like my mother trying to light song for me . I immediately saw that Doing well and better in school was my destiny in that moment . Right , I saw that and and then I immediately saw , seeing beyond what I was in . There was something in that for me . And so what is within , what is your whisper within , what is your light calling you ? See that first , and Then pray up what you need . So then I prayed for grades .
Speaker 1My grandmother would tell me about prayer and I was young , I didn't really get it , but I'm like let's try it . So then pray up I want to get better grades , I want to , I don't want to be this . And then the next thing is share out mm-hmm . And that sharing is not literally to ask someone specifically for their direct help , because you cannot put your destiny on others right , but I think sharing just puts your dreams and your light in the world so that it moves beyond you and it has wings to fly and grow .
Sharing Dreams, Asking for Help
Speaker 1And what I know to be true about human beings , bob golf said this awesome speaker , extraordinaire , last one , he's amazing . He said the human being is wired to help . The natural state of a human being is Wired to help . Now , other what what happens is this is not what Bob golf said , but what I've experienced is we start to put expectations the specific person to help me in a specific way . I asked you to remove expectations from a specific individual .
Speaker 1I Say share your dreams out , give them wings to fly . Human is wired to help . So when that earth angels what I call is Aligned to help you with that blessing , they will . Yes , the only way that people can hear is for you to share it , and in poverty , people used to tell me Don't share your dreams . Oh , don't tell me one , people will kill it . People , people are gonna talk down about it . But then I found out there's no one that could kill your dreams for you . Hey , you're the power of all your life , you know . And so I'm like , oh well , I've no one can kill them . Then the only thing that can happen is that I can share them so much that either me Speaking it out , of me hearing it has me do actions , and me speaking it out , there will be earth angels that God aligns to take that dream that I had and maybe take me one step further .
Speaker 1Yes and and that's what just started happening in my life and doing the work even when it's the hardest thing , so even when no one Wants to listen in class , doing the opposite , staying after school , and that moved me all the way up . I took that premise and I started to just shatter glass ceilings and I became the first and only person To get an undergrad degree in business , a master's in education , and I just kept moving and and listening with in and defying all the odds , even in the roughest obstacles . I knew that my truth was what was going to take me far .
Speaker 2I love that and I love how you said , like you know , in poverty that people like don't share your dreams , but the truth is like we were not put on earth to be by ourselves , we were not called to be communal beings and there are people that want to come alongside us , right , and we don't know where they are . And I , like we said , like we don't share with expectations , we don't ask with expectations , but we do share and we do ask because somebody out there is waiting for the blessing to be able to help somebody else yeah .
Speaker 2There was a blessing .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , and you start expecting from that . So I agree , like , oh , that gives me fired up , thank you . Because when you start expecting the ask from a specific person that's not their blessing , right , it becomes tension and friction , you get disappointed , you don't want to share dreams anymore , you get heartache , they get uncomfortable because it's not there , it's not an alignment with them to help you in that specific way , and it becomes this uncomfortable journey . But if you just share for yourself only and to let people into your life , I think that's a beautiful thing , like you said , like people are beautiful even when we aren't , you know , then you got to know the turn a little bit from the person that's not in a beautiful state at that time , right , you know . But the core of humans , from my life experience , even through the worst people that I've met , I don't count them because they're in their own struggle .
Speaker 2Right .
Speaker 1But my overall experience of human is beautiful and people bless me minute by minute , day by day . The only way you can those things you write off in the beginning- the only way you heard that is because of people .
Speaker 1Yes , and the only way that people showed up is because I share . I let people into my life and I let them into my life with no expectations . The most thing , I'd ask for you to pray for me . If you're a prayer , you know what I mean . I know , and then people were like , no , but I could do this , and then that's your blessing .
Speaker 2Right , I love that and I love . A while ago you talked about , like you know , sometimes we dim the light even when things are going well , right , yes , which I think is so true , like how often people are like they dim the light when things are happening positive . And you also said it was something along the lines of , like , like the millimeter changes , Like you don't always have to make millimeter changes when things are just in the dark , right , like sometimes life might seem great but you still need to make that shift . So I have a question for you , because , as I was reading , like , your long list of accomplishments , I'm like , oh man , this girl is like going all after it all . So tell me , I'm guessing that , like things seemed to possibly be pretty great by the time you had your backslurs and then your masters , and then yet you shifted . You made another millimeter shift to go into cosmetology .
Speaker 1Yes .
Speaker 2What made that shift ? Because that sounds to me like you know , things might have been going along pretty well , but you saw that maybe that wasn't really where you were being taught .
Speaker 1Oh , I love that . Oh , thank you for finding that , because I love sharing that very to the world random journey .
Finding Joy and Following Your Dreams
Speaker 1You know what it was going , society standards of , okay , I was still struggling , right , I had . No one had ever went to college . It was my mother . No one ever went to college . So in college I struggled Like I swam upstream . Yeah , I had to graduate . My mother was getting ill while I was in college , definitely ill . My mother passed Like I graduated . So I was battling this challenge , these life experiences .
Speaker 1Within that time , while I was in college , my mother saw me starting to choose my life and starting to move towards my destiny , and she saw that shift and one of our very last conversations was oh yeah , I see you choosing your life , I see you listening to your inner whisper , and it's so beautiful . And she handed me these little earrings and she said so life gets super hard and there may be times where you feel like you don't have the light anymore . You can't even find it and I'd love you to wear your earrings every day , just as this wearable symbol for you to touch them , for you to catch the light in the mirror , for them to be this reminder that there's always the light within you .
Speaker 1All you have to do is choose to unlock it . And that was so beautiful to gift me as this life coping mechanism , right Cause she knew what was ahead in life and like , how do you have these little tools and these symbols that help you moving forward ? And it was such a beautiful gift that that sent me , on my personal thing , to just hand sketch jewelry . Honestly , my mother shortly passed and I started to hand sketch jewelry as a therapy of like , well , what would I sketch to wear to get me through ? Stay imbalanced with my emotions , and then what would inspire me ? And so I had this book of hand sketches .
Speaker 1But I'm going through life and I get my master's degree and it's still not easy . It's very hard . And I realized like , oh , this is a struggle whether you follow society's way or not . And I remember my mother's words like , gotta go within , you're back outside , you're back outside of yourself . Which was beautiful , and I wouldn't change the trajectory of me going to college .
Speaker 1It taught me fortitude , it taught me navigation , it taught me how to be dropped in an environment that I had never experienced alone in how to make it out through temptations and hardships , and that was some real good life stuff right , but it was not joy for me . And so I'm like , well , if I'm still struggling kind of financially and this is not full joy for me , let me go inside and see what truly brings me joy . And I took a moment to myself and I was like , well , if I close my eyes , what lights me up ? And creativity just came to me . Like you know , I love to hand sketch and anything creative . I would dress creative . It was just my , it was me . And I was like , oh God , cruel joke , because this was before Instagram and also social , where you could see that artist made a living right Back in the day . You couldn't see that . All you heard was these certain careers could make a decent living .
Speaker 2So I'm like oh , an artist .
Speaker 1Well , I don't want to be hungry and homeless again . I don't know why is that the light up ? So I had to strategize with myself and the lore and say , okay , so if this is my joy zone , I am gonna follow my light . But what could I do ? That , I feel , is gonna make some income where I could live in my creativity and make a living . And I just it came to me that beauty , hair and makeup was this form of creativity where I could create with people , on people . But it was a consistent demand for it . Right , like , okay , well then , that means with a master's degree , we're gonna go back to cosmetology school . It's gonna stress my inner self , no matter what . And I did with a master's degree . I went back to cosmetology school , which put me and sweep into lawn floors with a master's degree , and I love sharing that , because it's like the journey's not gonna be pretty . Well , what are you moving toward that will make going in the valley worth it ? Right , because I could have .
Speaker 1With a master's degree , I was teaching school and that was hard . That was that'll make you run out of any career . But and I had my head soft to every teacher because there's a heart . There's a heart to educate young hearts and their patience and their temperament . And I was still super young , so I hadn't evolved into myself in that yet . And so creativity I just jumped into with all hands in . Now I'm back down with no income , but I had the vision of my destiny Right . I got new creativity was gonna take me to both points of joy and not leave me hungry .
Speaker 1And so , while in cosmetology school , I was trying to figure out what it was that I really wanted to do and I was trying things . I worked at a matte cosmetic makeup counter and I would ring people up , and this is why I love talking and asking and sharing , because everyone that I would ring up they would , if it popped up professional , I would always ask I'm a consistent learner , I just want to learn from people . And I'm saying what do you do , what do you do in the industry ? And this lady , beautiful heart , I believe her name was Linda . I still remember certain people's day and she said I work for KVC . And I'm saying what is that ? Never knew what it was and she said oh , it's a 24 hour television network that sells consistently on air and it's 40 minutes away from here .
Speaker 1Immediately my brain went to my dreams . I never wanted to be in a salon trying to keep clients . I just wanted to create no pressure . I'm like does that mean it's a 24 hour salon in this place ? I think what I said and how I said and she was like , absolutely it is . And that beautiful heart , see the sharing , yeah , that beautiful .
Speaker 1I said let it connect you with someone in KVC . She connected me and at that time I didn't have my cosmetology license I was working on and so it took me five years from that dream . So I take a target , like when my soul is clear on something , oh , I grab onto it and I don't let it go , tell it happens and then it manifests into something different . But I never let it go . Five years of getting my cosmetology license , getting my instructors and cosmetology license my mother told me , always complete to the fullest , and then getting out and the connections to KVC were now gone , who I connected to , and so I got knows for five years straight mailing , emailing and trying to send in , and everyone was like you're not qualified , you're not qualified , and while I was not qualified I would work in the salon and sweep the salon floor . But I chose the salon . This beautiful friend says on . Bless me with that opportunity . She said oh , my friend owns this line and he's a teacher .
Speaker 1You may have to sweep his floor when he's all about education and I'm like I'm all about learning and I swept floors and I learned all hair textures and I would drag that out of the . My job was to take the length out of the dryer Now you cannot leave a piece of linen and a dryer , that's how much he was so emphatic about that and my job was to catch the hair before it hit the floor and the salon and one would look at that and say who in the world would do that with a master's degree ? I would , because I knew that education is priceless and I knew that that was the place that would teach me closer to where I wanted to be and the craft that I wanted to be . And then for five years , finally , I was bartending to survive and everyone that would smile at me twice that I wanted to work for QDC . Speak your dreams every day of your life .
Speaker 2Yes .
Speaker 1If you don't get anything from this , I would just love to share , like , what is on your heart , and it doesn't have to be a business Do you want a family , do you want to travel ? Just keep saying it , just say it out your heart , say it out to people that look receptive , that look pleasant . And so this gentleman smiled at me twice and I was like I want to work for QDC . I said okay , shocked and awkward , like where is that from ? But okay , and he said I work for Comcast and my friend works for QDC . Interestingly enough , he said let me get your contact information . Let's see .
Speaker 1I share this because when you're in the midst of this metamorphosis , or my new collection has butterflies in it , deeply connected to Jamie Kern , lima's founder of a cosmetic New York Times by Seldar , she's bringing a new book out , worthy , so people please pre-order that . It's going to be a life-changing book and there's an unstoppable event happening on February 24th . But the butterfly is in that worthy book . But the butterfly transforms right , and you get in this cocoon phase and you do this liquefying phase . And so I was in my liquefying phase . It's funny now , as we speak , I'm yet again in another liquefying phase through this business . But I was in this one liquefying phase and when you're in that phase it's very unpleasant and uncomfortable , right Trying to get somewhere or be something . But my ask is , who are you in the middle of that ? How are you as you liquefy , how are you as you become ?
Choice, Overcoming Challenges
Speaker 1I felt it as a great equalizer to get to where you want to be , when you may not have all the pieces of the puzzle . And I say that because I choose to be like , I choose to be love , I choose to see everybody that's standing in front of me , I choose to acknowledge each person's heart with love and kindness . And that choice when I shared my dreams with this gentleman named Fred that I did not know , he took my information and the next day I got a contact from his friend who had never met me , through text message and his friend said my friend Fred said you were such light and kindness . Your dream is to be at QBC and if there's anything that I can do to help you , please do it . And so that way , of that energy of goodness and light will transfer through in a whole entire mother human being that you never met that could actually possibly bless you . That beautiful heart . Stephanie Humphrey gave me the email and contact of the QVC salon and then at the end said please use my name as a reference . That walked the QVC doors .
Speaker 1As a QVC stylist Now , I had been practicing for five years to even floor , so I was learning already by now . But what are you doing at the nose is also the question . Are you well with me ? I cried , but I got up and learned more . I felt bad about myself , but I got up and did another hair blowout and so by the time I get the interview , I was ready , I was equipped , I walked in those QVC doors .
Speaker 1I was exposed to dream makers , these beautiful QVC hosts making entrepreneurs dreams come true , getting these things to hearts , these tangible products to hearts .
Speaker 1And then I was styling entrepreneurs , these dreamers .
Speaker 1And these dreamers showed me that like , if you have true , kind intentions and a mission that's not tangible , that comes from your heart , in your mind , and you take that and you pour it into something tangible when the receiver gets it , it truly becomes life changing to the person .
Speaker 1And I was styling these beautiful hearts , jamie Kurnlima being one of them .
Speaker 1I call her my dear sister , my deepest friend , and Vicky Sy , founder of Touch of Skincare Out of many hearts that have blessed me . They took me under their wing and they took me in rooms that I never knew existed in business , and they showed me this detail of how people's lives can be transformed through a physical product . The time at the end of styling them and other beautiful people that I was styling , they would say what bracelet do I put on Right at the end ? What necklace do I put on ? What earrings do I clip in ? It was right before they were going to do something big like this armor of goodness . They would click on Now where it realized I had been hand sketching for myself these pieces that my mother told me if you put on these symbolic wearable inspirations , they'll help remind you how to unlock everything that's within you , and I knew that I had to create these valencia key pieces so other people could have wearable symbols that it is possible and to keep unlocking it .
Speaker 2I love that and you know I mean it is . It is so fascinating to me , like truly having just a little something , whether it's a necklace , you know earrings , a bracelet , just something that when you glance at it or you touch it , suddenly you're like like I have the necklace that says worthy . And I heard me currently to speak and I am part of her prelaunch book , the Ike Krabuk . The unstoppable event . So excited . She is another , just absolutely incredible soul .
Speaker 2But , like you . When I go , like I pass the mirror and I see worthy , I'm just like , oh , yes , I'm worthy . You know , like our head plays so many games with us . Yes , we need those tangible , yes , little assets on our bodies to constantly remind us when our mind might forget who God created us to be and it's like hey , I'm here for you , I've got you , don't you worry , babe . You know , just one foot in front of the other , figure out what that next millimeter step is turn left , turn right . If you make the wrong turn , don't worry , I'll get you , We'll get you back on track , you know everything you're saying .
Speaker 1It's so real . It's like Valencia Key is wearable proof , yes , wearable truth it's . It's honestly like if you , if you can wear something that I created coming from the darkest , most hardest predicaments ever , whatever your truth is , it's possible and you can touch it . Like , if we can do it , what's my next dream ? Let's go and knowing that through that piece was so much hardship to get there , but you still are able to shine in it . Like these creations that I create don't magically come down with ease .
Speaker 2Right .
Speaker 1Everything that I've done comes with an obstacle . Every piece that you wear , there had been a hurdle . I hand sketched one design and the manufacturer sent me a bulk of the wrong opposite design that I had to redo . Like these things , these life experiences are in every piece , but you are still I get emotional . You are still able to wear and you're still able to shine in it , and so if that speaks true to that physical piece , it speaks true to your life .
Speaker 2Yes .
Speaker 1And that's what I'd love for it consistently to embody every time you wear and share . It's like we've got this . It's not easy , but we definitely have it , we definitely are worthy , we definitely are enough . It doesn't matter what you lack . It doesn't matter how you feel .
Speaker 2Right .
Speaker 1I just was listening to Pastor Stephen Furtick I hope I pronounced his last name correct and he was like we aren't our feelings .
Speaker 2Right .
Speaker 1And I was like , oh so good , our feelings sometimes feel angry , we feel agitated , we're not that , that's a passing moment . And then we just got to know something to touch , to get us back through the moment and say , okay , I felt that way , okay , but I'm worthy to move on to the next thing , of where my destiny is or where my light truly is .
Speaker 2Yeah , now , I love that . And you know , suffering or the uncomfortable , the challenges , right , that is so uncomfortable . I love the butterfly metamorphosis I've used that before but I guess I never really paid a whole lot of attention that like you're like liquefying and stuff as you're going through that process . So I love that . But here's the thing If you are always comfortable , you are not growing Right , have to get uncomfortable , we have to suffer for a period of time , if you will , because , not because God wants us to suffer , but because when we suffer , when we're going through those struggles , that's when I find that we tend to turn to the inside . Yeah , we tend to cry out to God and we're like , okay , can't do this alone . And God has said so often that you know , through a period of suffering , then will come the glory .
Speaker 2And so really , for people that are going through a challenging time right now , I want them to just know that I'm always talking about like looking for that glimmer of hope , looking . And sometimes people come to me and I know they probably are like oh , why did I have to go talk to her ? Because I'm well-plum . We stop that . And I'll be like huh , I wonder , and I won't immediately say it , but I'll just be like I know there's a purpose for your journey . I just wonder what that is . And I try and get them to find something good and sometimes they're not ready to , because we all need that time , to feel those feelings . But I just tell people like and even for you like , as you're uncomfortable , you just know like there's this next level that's getting ready to happen , and so we have to see that and be like oh my gosh , I am so freaking uncomfortable . Things are just so challenging right now .
Speaker 1I cannot wait to see what the outcome of this is , because that is the best and scream your way through it , bark your way through it , but get through it . Like I was , just like I need to get uncomfortable with the workout journey , but when you think about working out right , it doesn't start comfortable , but if you commit to it you will start to see results . I feel that this you're you're learning something new and you're stretching and you're growing when you're in these states and maybe life just gives you things right . There are things that just life gives you .
Speaker 1That is not fair , it is not pleasant , but I agree with you . It's then like okay , you were given that and maybe , if we shift the brain , gifted it to find a way to take it and utilize it for your good and maybe for the glory of others , to show them how you got through it . You know I am utilizing my upbringing and you know you're upbringing . Your childhood never ends Like we are bringing things from your youth all the way into your adulthood . Now , as as we're growers , we start to try to learn how to morph out of that or become a better person . But there's still little things that just crop , crop up and I feel that every time we decide to take that that growth thing on its movement for us , and let's just keep moving in life . If we move , we'll always get to our journey . I promise you you will .
Speaker 2Yeah . So I have a couple of questions for you . First , I know that there are some symbols in the jury . I would love for you to just tell us you know a little bit about some of the symbols in the jury . Thank , you .
Speaker 1I love it
Symbolism and Finding Personal Light
Speaker 1. I'm a symbolic person . The reason why I'm symbolic is because we attach . Regardless whether you quantify yourself as a symbolic person or not , we are . We attach meaning to things . It just happens . If something happened with this specific person , you attach a feeling to that . Or something happened with this specific cup , you attach a feeling to it , right ? So we're just this human . That's just the way we're wired to do so . I love intentionally and consciously creating symbols and having these beautiful meanings to it . So a support .
Speaker 1So if you look through my pieces and anything that I create , you'll see the logo of Valencia Key , and the logo initially is a star . If you just look at it from its farther perspective , it's a star with a key in it , and if you just look at it with that , for me it's a reminder that there's always light and you always have the key inside of you . All you have to do , like my mother said , is just look at it and be reminded to unlock . Unlock , and what does unlock mean ? Maybe it means share your story . Maybe it means do an action . Maybe it means show someone some love today . Maybe it means show yourself some love today . Whatever that unlock is , it's some movement that needs to happen in your life to shine that light . That's automatically within , but if you look closer at the star , it's actually four Vs , that the V is defined for Valencia .
Speaker 1And on this journey I went . I knew when I was creating , I learned from my heart that everything , when you bring something to the world , it's a promise to the world and others , and every part should have true , deep love and intention . And so I wanted to have a core message and mission under Valencia Key . So I took a voyage to Morocco , Egypt and Spain . And the reason is like , wait what ? And I take it back to my young childhood . I knew that I had to see outside my environment to move a little forward . And the same thing with creating Valencia Key I needed to see something different to really pour in what was meant . And in Morocco I was taken to all these beautiful temples . And the last temple I was taken to at first I was just looking at it like a sightseer , and then the last temple I was in , I really heard it in a whisper . I call it a divine whisper .
Speaker 1And I said Leah , you're specifically here for something and I need you to get down on this holy ground and specifically and clearly asked for it . That's that ask again .
Speaker 2Yes .
Speaker 1And I sat up and I spoke it out and I asked by the end of this journey that I prayed , that I am naming what I am birthing in the world that has true love and intention and a heart , and that I'm hand sketching something visual that when people see it , they can immediately feel the intention behind it . I continue on my journey and I get to Morocco and Egypt and I start to see these lights everywhere and I get into this one store in Morocco and there's keys from floor to ceiling . Now my last name is key and I literally was trying to not use my name if it was just going to be my name because I knew it was bigger than me . Right , it wasn't really about me , it was bigger and so , but I didn't know what it was . And I walk in the store and there's keys and I find the store owner small , small store and I said why do you have all these brass keys ? I have a picture of it . And he said and he looked at me like I should have known already it was just like the key unlocks the light in your life . And I said what Like what ?
Speaker 1And then I had two days left on this journey and because I am random and I kind of let the wind move me where it takes me , I see these backpackers . I'm in a hostel , standing in a hostel . I don't even think there's a toilet in this hostel . It's like a hole in the floor and we go to the bathroom and hope you have toilet paper . That's like that . I'm standing outside and I see these backpackers . It was a bus station across from the hostel and these backpackers are walking and they look pleasant . You know , I love a look pleasant person .
Speaker 1So , I speak to them and they speak back so friendly and I say , hey , where are you going ? Just asking . And they said we're going to Spain and I didn't know you could get to Spain from Morocco . And so I randomly say , can I go with you ? They say , absolutely , Come on . Bus leaves an X amount of time . I go scurry and grab my little backpack and I run out and I get on this bus to Spain with these backpackers . So the bus takes you to the tip of Morocco and then you catch a ferry over to Spain . So it was a beautiful time of the backpackers .
Speaker 1By the time we land in Spain I knew our time together was over . I say goodbye to them and I go find myself hanging out in locals , locals in Spain and one of the locals asked me my name and when my grandmother meant serious business , she would say Leah Valencia key that man . So when someone would ask my name and I wanted to be serious business , I would say my full name . So I told this local Leah Valencia key . And the local said oh , that is such a beautiful name . Valencia in our slang dialect . Here Valencia means bravery and courage .
Speaker 2Really .
Speaker 1What ? By the time I'm going home , I'm on the plane and my light just starts to flash over and I realized that my life had just been symbolic of coming from darkness and shining light within all situations and having that key . Yeah , and Lee , I'm liking that light and every step that I took was through bravery and courage . Yes , and I want all hearts that wear Valencia key to be reminded that you have bravery and you have courage and you have the keys of light inside of you . So I took that V that stands for bravery and courage and made it in that star , because that is your light .
Speaker 1Yes , the courage is your light . All you do is just decide to step out of it , taking one brave step to do something that you would never normally do , like join backpackers . Wow , literally change your life in so many beautiful ways , and all we have to do is just be reminded of it . So you'll see that symbol and everything I create , because I want , at the very minimum core , for you to have that as a reminder .
Speaker 2Wow , that is absolutely beautiful . I had not heard that story , did not tell that . Yeah , you told parts of it . You told us a little bit about the V and the key that came about that and like , again , that's literally listening to that whisper inside of us . Sometimes we have to get so quiet and do the really weird thing like let me just go to Morocco and let me just follow these like backpackers , right , because God has a purpose for that journey . And what a beautiful , like reminder If people know , like , what the symbol is .
Speaker 2What I love about your jewelry is that you could go wherever and go pick up your rings Thank you and necklace . But there is something special and unique and a meaning and love . I just like when people cook and they're like you know , secret ingredient is love . I believe the same thing happens with anything that is crafted when it is crafted and created from love and light , joy and hope and belief and courage that comes out through every piece . And so there is something so special about these pieces of jewelry . They're just not bracelets and necklaces and earrings , but it literally just is a symbol of reminding people of how incredibly special they are , yes , how worthy they are , that they are literally here for a purpose and God just needs them to be still for a moment . Look inside them for that light inside them and find that courage and shine that light to everybody .
Speaker 1You are literally everything . I pray the word that came out of your mouth . It's my prayer , through the yes , yes , yes and amen . I I could pour tears because that is it . They are wearable symbols that you are light , yes , our lights , and you deserve everything that your heart desires . It is in the plans . If it was whispered for you , it is , oh . Now it may not be an easy straight line to it , but it is so , and I just pray that you put it on every day and you say I'm going to do one more thing towards this . I'm going to , even if I don't have this specific thing in me that I want that you put it on and that you decide every day I'm going to walk into the light that God may need to be and I'm not going to let anybody take it .
Speaker 1Anything , damn it . And if I need to remind , I'll just look down at it and outside to shine .
Speaker 2Oh , leah , I have enjoyed our time and you are such a precious soul . I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am that I had the honor of meeting you at that event and just the blessing to be able to spend this time with you , but I want to make sure that people know how to reach you . So , please tell us . I want to have it all in my show notes and all of my things . But just tell us how do we reach you and get our hands on this jewelry .
Speaker 1Yes , please . Thank you . I'm honored to be with you , deborah , and every heart that listens to us . It is such joy to be able to connect in this beautiful , open ways . I'm so grateful and I love for you to stay connected with me . Get a piece of Valencia Key I also .
Speaker 1My dream is for Valencia Key to be a blessing to the world , not only the wearers who are able to get it home and wear it , but take portions of Valencia Key's proceeds and go and work with homeless shelters and I work with hearts in the village of Ghana , africa , in a small village where there's very little to no income and work opportunities and using their natural creative art Because art is what really has changed my life . Truthfully , and finding that vessel and working with them . I hand sketch handbags and then I just give them my idea and then they hand bead with their craft and art , heart and love hand , bead by bead by bead , and they create these beautiful creations of love . It is not only a work of love , but it is a blessing when people buy it , because you're helping one of the gentlemen . He's in nursing school to be a nurse , so the one day that he could move somewhere out of the country and become a nurse . There's another wonderful heart , diana . She's working to support her family , not just her direct family , it's the extended family , and so it is a blessing to be able to bless others through a mission and that's what I pray you join me with . And Valencia Key Connect with me on Valencia Key dot com .
Speaker 1Val ENCIA K-E-Y . You can go get a piece of your Valencia Key home there , order and just put your email in so you can stay connected
Sharing Dreams and Spreading Light
Speaker 1with me . I love Instagram too . I'm a get on TikTok one day . I haven't got there yet , I've tried , but we need some reworking . So , instagram , check out Valencia Key design . That's where you get to see all different loving hearts wearing and sharing the love , and so you just don't hear me . You get to see that this was like a universal message of light and you get to see others connected with you .
Speaker 1And then , if you want to see my random journey , clearly I just jump on buses with people the same . You're like where is Leah ? Follow ? Connect with me . I don't believe in following . I feel like we're connected . Connect with me with Leah Valencia Key and you'll see my randomness , like where , what am I doing today ?
Speaker 1And my last share is . I believe in sharing . So I am in a liquified phase now and my business is still super small and I like being so honest because you'll hear these accolades and I'm like , oh my God , it's so big , it's not , it's . It's catching the light of others and I'm so grateful for that . But there are still structure and small business challenges of how do you keep consistent orders coming in ? What is that ? This structure look like that . I'm in need of learning . So if anyone knows a retired CFO or a retired accountant that just wants to join a heart mission to help me grow this in a big way so that we can really touch hearts , that's my need now . So I've decided that I'm sharing that out , like I've done over years , to the world , because it will align someday .
Speaker 2I was thinking that same thing . I'm like I love the fact that you're speaking it up , because I I appreciate your transparency . It's one of the things I talk to people about all the time and like , oh my gosh , like social media is great , social media is great , but man , it sucks sometimes because everybody is comparing their deleted scenes to everybody else's movie trailers .
Speaker 1Yes , and it looks greater , it looks great and it is great right . So you see the beauty and I am experiencing . Everything you see is good , joy and love . But then there are some things underneath that need some support and blessing and you won't get to see that because , like , how do you capture that Like ? So you got to share what you're going through and a , if anything , it just keeps in my heart that I know I'm going to be connected with the right heart , because I believe I've got to be a global brand . My ultimate dream is to grow Valencia Keys so big that we're supporting the hearts in Africa and creating a school , a trained school in the United States that educates underserved hearts with licenses like I received , so that they can learn and support themselves in a way through their hands , because I think that skill through your hands is no one can take it away from you . So that's the ultimate goal to create a trade , a non-profit trade school . So we're going to .
Speaker 2I love it . I'm excited that you shared that here .
Speaker 1I don't know if you shared that out loud yet Not often I think this is like my second time , but really speaking it , and so I'm just walking in . So thank you for allowing me to just speak these out . Yeah , it's a closer .
Speaker 2Well , Leah , thank you so much . I absolutely loved having you . You are truly a joy and a light . I will be praying for you and for all of your dreams . I'll be praying that the absolute , most perfect CFO CEO comes in and helps you take Valencia Key to the entire world , that you're able to serve those in Africa and you're able to create a beautiful trade school here in the United States .
Speaker 2So that others that may feel like there is not light may see the light that you bring and experience the light that your mother put in you as a student so many years ago . So , that her incredible legacy may live through new and into others .
Speaker 1Amen .
Speaker 2Oh , my goodness , I hope you guys enjoyed this episode so much . I mean to tell you , leah Valencia Key is truly just an incredible person . So I don't ask for much from you guys , but I am going to ask you this for this episode in particular Please share this episode with everybody . Let's blow up social media and get her message out there . People need to hear what she has to say . There is somebody out there who needs to feel that they can unlock the light in their life and believe that things can be different . There is an entire community of people that she is wanting to impact across the whole globe . So let's blow up social media , share this episode , share her website , share her social media . Make people aware of what she's doing and let's help her get that trade school here in the United States . Let's help her impact that community in Africa . Guys , I have very much enjoyed you being here . I cannot wait until next week . So , if you will like , subscribe , follow . If you don't know how to do that , I'll try and figure out how to tell you how to do that . I'll be honest with you . I couldn't figure it out in the very beginning either . Also , reviews five stars . Those go such a long way . It helps to make podcasts be more visible . It gets messages like Leah's message out there to more people and more visible , more visible , right , sorry ? You guys have an amazing day . Thank you for tuning in and until next week . Love , love , love you all so much . Be filled with hope , because you know God has amazing things in store for you . Oh , my goodness , I hope you guys enjoyed this episode so much . I mean to tell you , leah Valencia Key is truly just an incredible person . So I don't ask for much from you guys , but I am going to ask you this for this episode in particular Please share this episode with everybody . Let's blow up social media and get her message out there . People need to hear what she has to say . There is somebody out there who needs to feel that they can unlock the light in their life and believe that things can be different . There is an entire community of people that she is wanting to impact across the whole globe . So let's blow up social media . Share this episode , share her website , share her social media , make people aware of what she's doing and let's help her get that trade school here in the United States . Let's help her impact that community in Africa Guys , I have very much enjoyed you being here . I cannot wait until next week . So if you will like , subscribe , follow . If you don't know how to do that , I'll try and figure out how to tell you how to do that . I'll be honest with you , I couldn't figure it out in the very beginning either .
Speaker 2Also , reviews five stars those go such a long way . It helps to make podcasts be more visible . It gets messages like Leah's message out there to more people . And more visible , more visible . Sorry . You guys have an amazing day . Thank you for tuning in and until next week . Love , love , love . You all so much . Be filled with hope , because you know God has amazing things in store for you .