Meet Valeria Sistrunk of RateMyStation

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Sistrunk.

Hi Valeria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Honestly, my journey has been a mix of passion, creativity, and just figuring things out as I go. I started off in journalism because I’ve always loved storytelling and giving people a voice. Working in newsrooms taught me a lot…not just about reporting, but about what goes on behind the scenes. That’s what inspired me to create RateMyStation.com, a platform where media professionals can share honest reviews about their workplaces and help others make more informed career choices.

Over time, I started exploring other sides of entrepreneurship. I launched my own Amazon business selling supplements, which taught me how to handle everything from branding to marketing and logistics. It really opened my eyes to how powerful e-commerce can be when you combine it with storytelling and authenticity.

Now, I also create content full-time, connecting with people online, sharing my experiences, and building a community with funny videos and sexy content. I’ve learned that you don’t have to pick just one lane; you can create your own. Every step, even the messy ones, led me to where I am now doing work I love and building things that matter to me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! There were times where I really had to fight to keep going. A few years ago, I went through some of the hardest financial struggles of my life, and I ended up living in my car for about three months. It was one of those seasons that really tested me, but it also taught me how strong and resourceful I could be when I had no other choice but to make it work.

Before that, while I was working in local news, I struggled with anorexia. It was something that I’d struggled with since childhood, but the pressure of TV News really started to take a real toll on my mental and physical health. That experience was a wake-up call for me, and it’s what led me to start therapy. I’ve been in therapy now for seven years, and it’s completely changed the way I see myself and how I move through the world.

Those challenges weren’t easy, but they helped shape me into the person I am today. They made me stronger, more self-aware, and more compassionate and now, I use those lessons every day in how I run my businesses and connect with others.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about RateMyStation ?
RateMyStation is a platform I created in 2017 for journalists and media professionals to finally have a safe space to share their real experiences working in newsrooms: The good, the bad, and everything in between. I wanted to build something that brought more transparency to the industry, because for a long time, there wasn’t a place where people could openly talk about what it’s really like to work at certain stations without fear of retaliation.

This year, we expanded beyond TV news into radio, print, podcasts, and YouTube channels, and we’ve built new features that allow both employees and stations to interact in ways that actually create change.

I’m most proud that what started as a small idea in 2017 has grown into something people genuinely rely on. Seeing messages from journalists who tell me the site helped them avoid toxic workplaces or find a newsroom that truly values them means everything to me.

At its core, RateMyStation is about empowerment, honesty, and community. I want people to know that this platform was built by someone who understands the struggles of working in media, and is determined to make the industry better from the inside out.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Honestly, I’ve never really had a traditional mentor and for a long time, I felt like that was something I was missing. But over time, I realized that mentorship can look different for everyone. For me, I’ve learned the most through experience, trial and error, and watching how other successful people move.

I’ve built my own “virtual mentors” by studying entrepreneurs, creators, and industry leaders I admire. I take bits of wisdom from their stories, podcasts, interviews, and books and apply what fits my journey. And I’ve also learned that sometimes your biggest lessons come from failure, not guidance.

When it comes to networking, what’s worked best for me is just being genuine. I don’t approach people looking for what they can do for me, I focus on building real relationships. Whether it’s online or in person, people can always tell when your energy is authentic, and that’s what opens doors.

So even though I don’t have one specific mentor, I’d say life and experience have been mine, and I’m honestly okay with that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.RateMyStation.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsvaleriasistrunk
• Twitter: https://x.com/valeriasistrunk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valeriasistrunk