Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Crisostomo.
Valerie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I think knowing yourself is the one thing you will never finish doing in this life. I was raised in Orlando, Florida, but was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Dominican parents. My rich Hispanic background contributed largely to the woman that I am today. From the Spanish food that my mother prepared, to the music we listened to (salsa y merengue), growing up in a Hispanic household truly taught me that there is more to people than meets the eye.
I left home to pursue an education in Hospitality at Florida State University and upon graduating, I landed in Atlanta, Georgia. This is where my journey as a 20-something really began. In the last seven years, I have developed my relationship with Jesus, cut my hair way too short, and witnessed my talents grow as a wedding event planner and a florist. My background hardly defines my overzealous and joyful personality, but I believe it was a great place to start!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road? Hardly! I have found that the biggest obstacle in my life has been… me. I have stood in my own way in the form of putting impossible expectations on myself, not taking advantage of opportunities that were clearly laid out for me, and the biggest one—trying to fit in with various groups of people in various seasons of my life. I wasn’t being true to myself. I constantly attempted to squeeze my gifts, thoughts, and optimism into a box of what I believed I should behave like, or look like, or love like. It is only now that I am beginning to understand that I, in and of myself, am enough.
I’ve been young and I’m not quite as old as I believe I am, ha! The greatest advice that I can share with another woman is to just live and be you. Planning events has spilled over into planning a life in which I seldom considered alternate possibilities and that robbed me of chances to live life in the present. Be You. There is only one you and only ever will be one you. There is no one who will ever be like the person that you are. Become your best friend and, against popular opinion, put yourself first. Allow yourself to be loved the way you love others. I have found freedom from others’ opinions (including my own) and in embracing life for what it truly is (imperfect, disheveled, beautiful). I say, hone in on who you are and be the best version of yourself… always.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into One Soul Events story. Tell us more about it.
Career journeys can take many twists and turns and almost always carry experiences that build on one another. My journey has taken me everywhere! I have exercised my skills in medical meeting planning, non-profit organization event planning, tradeshow and event housing planning, all the way to association meeting management. I believe that my corporate background in events has laid an astounding foundation for the wedding and social event business that I started in 2014.
One Soul Events was birthed out of my passion to plan and celebrate others! The knowledge of wedding customs and traditions came almost innately to me. It was as though I knew what I didn’t know. When I began doing research on weddings and how they are celebrated around the world, I noticed that I knew more about them than I thought. I branched (no pun intended!) into floral design in the summer of 2017 when a dear friend of mine and I prepared a styled shoot called Neutral Natural Elegance. I was shocked to hear that our first styled shoot was published in Black Nuptials! An online wedding magazine for multicultural brides & interracial couples. It has been a lengthy start in my journey of planning and floral design, but one that is flourishing.
The one thing that sets One Soul apart from other event planning firms, is the camaraderie and relationship that is built with each bride and groom and their families. I have the unique opportunity to see a glimpse of what its like to be apart of their families and get a front row seat in witnessing the first moments of a couple becoming one. I specialize in bringing a bride’s biggest dreams to life in the form of her design ideas and by emotionally being by her side each step of the way. She becomes my best friend and I have a chance to immerse myself in her family.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I believe that mentors come in all forms and mediums. I have gleaned wisdom from the experiences of other women in the forms of reading their books, following their social media profiles, and reading about the lessons they learned before they “made” it. That’s where the magic is; in the lessons that they share about their uphill climbs and challenges along the way.
When networking, I have always made it a point to not talk about myself… whatsoever. I, instead, seek to learn and understand the person on a friend level. I ask questions about their background and about their deepest dreams and desires. This helps me understand their “why” and motivation for becoming successful and sustaining their success. You’d be surprised by the answers I have heard!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.OneSoulEvents.com
- Email: valerie@onesoulevents.com
- Instagram: @onesoulevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneSoulEvents
- Twitter: @OneSoulEvents
Image Credit:
Renee Sealey, Kiyah Crittendon, Hellen Oliveira, Heather Andrews, Lexi Scott, Shelby Rae Robinson, Gladys Wright
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
