Today we’d like to introduce you to L. Rachel Valentine.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and joined the US Navy at 19 years old. I served my country for 14 years traveling to destinations such as Australia, Malaysia, Japan, and Hawaii to name a few. While on active duty, I received a Bachelor’s of Science and made the decision to transition back into the civilian workforce. While working for a local company I earned a Masters in Human Resources. I continued to work for the company while working on my own business in my spare time until I was let go. At that point, I made a conscious decision never to go back into corporate America unless it was absolutely necessary. I have been a business owner since 2012 and have never looked back. Now, I provide several consulting services to my clients. Startup Business Consulting and Ebook consultation are the main services. I also provide Notary services and freelance services such as administrative support, contract drafting, and writing services for additional side income.
Although these are the services I provide now, I did not start off providing these services.
My business model has changed over the years. I started as a Life Coach, I tried Mary Kay for a while and several other companies like it. I never felt like it was the right fit for me. Since I have a vast array of knowledge in many different industries, it seemed better served for me to help those who are starting a business and are not certain of the process. In addition, as I am a self-published author of the book, “Bringing Down Walls”, I am often asked the question of how to do it. Therefore, I assist others with self-publishing as well.
There have been many days I thought about going back into Corporate America but I quickly recall the day I was asked to leave the company I formally worked for and it jarred me back to reality.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely NOT been an easy or smooth road and I still have challenges. I have faced many obstacles during this path of entrepreneurship. I have experienced everything from envy from enemies as well as family and friends. I have been sidetracked by so-called mentors who supposedly had my best interest at heart. Especially men. Every male mentor I have had left me with a negative experience. I went into partnership with a male mentor doing a cleaning service who ended up taking the company and my money. I had another mentor (male) that had an ego so big that he never listened to any of my ideas or suggestions. Once I realized my input was not valid, I made a swift exit. I linked up with a startup company to assist with implementation. They started off great and I was getting paid and then they made several bad decisions that cost them lots of money. They kept telling me they would be getting more money to pay me and never did. I ended up spending almost six months working for free because they were supposedly friends. Last but not least, I ran into the worst mentor of all. It’s one thing for someone to take money from you, lie to you, work you for free or extort information from you but it is another animal when someone takes something more personal to you that you can never get back. There were many days I wanted to just give up and go back into the workforce because it was just too hard to be an entrepreneur. However, I persevered. My advice to any young or older woman just starting out is to vet everyone you allow to enter your circle, keep your morals and standards intact and if it doesn’t sound right or feel right get away as fast as you can. People are going to try and sidetrack you but never allow them into your space and if you do, figure it out quickly and move on. Each encounter teaches you something. Look for the lesson and move on as quickly as you can if it does not serve as advantageous for you.
What should we know about Rachel Valentine Consulting? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I think my main motivation in life is to help others succeed. I am passionate about helping people on the path to financial freedom. Over the past several years, I have helped others develop a plan to start a business. I find out their needs and desires and help them create it. I have a gift of seeing their vision and helping to add the practical side of creating the process. Every entrepreneur is unique in their thought processes and skillset whether it is the same product as another. Once I have completed the setup of their business, I assist with organizing, administrative and creating processes for the business. I think that is the part that makes my services unique. It’s easy to register a business but the actual processes are more difficult than the novice entrepreneur understands. Most people have an idea of what they want to do but most don’t realize the other pieces that go along with running a business. By the time they understand it, it’s too late and becomes overwhelming. That’s where I come in. I create the processes and procedures, letterheads, employee guides, contracts, invoices and so much more. Everything they need to function as an operational business.
When it comes to self-publishing, I believe everyone has a story to tell so why not tell it? I can help create a book or ebook from scratch or based on an established product based on the subject the person would like to talk about. I am fascinated by the lives of others and feel as though people need to realize they have a voice then learn how to use it.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I had a very difficult childhood. I grew up with my grandmother for the most part as a young child. We lived in the projects and moved from one to the other. I had some serious mental issues that were not addressed until I was older. My grandmother did her best to raise me until my mother came to take care of me. Living with my mother was a different challenge. She was an amazing woman when it came to perseverance in any circumstance. She made a name for herself in Jacksonville and taught me the importance of going after what you want and never taking no for an answer. I believe the lessons I was taught from observing my mother could not have been taught in a school or by a lesson or a teacher. She taught me how to persevere in the face of challenges no matter what. Some of her ways were unconventional and probably bordered on child abuse, lol, but they were never-the-less effective. I would not be here if it weren’t for her. My father was never in the picture so I only had my mother for direction. I know it was hard for her but she did it and I am here.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lrachelvalentine.com
- Phone: 904-200-5807
- Email: info@lrachelvalentine.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachelvalconsulting/
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