Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa Valdez.
Hi Elisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas – I was the first born of three and was fortunate enough to grow up in a border city, where I was raised on both sides of the border (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico). At a young age, I realized that I would have to fight adversity to change my destiny. My mother and father had me when they were 18 and 19 years old and because of this, I didn’t have stability growing up. I attended 17 elementary schools throughout my early childhood, including some across the border. My parents didn’t stay together, and my mother struggled to care for all three of us. My siblings and I often ended up at our grandparent’s home from my mothers’ side of the family. This was my biggest blessing, as they were an enormous influence on the woman I am today.
Having to grow up so fast is what taught me to be a survivor. Oftentimes, my life felt like a revolving door in which I repeatedly had to cope with change very rapidly. I remember a teacher once told me that if I wanted different in my life, that I had the power to change that – by staying in school and using that as my ticket out. Somehow, that always stayed with me. That teacher’s advice and the combined influence of my grandparents who were immigrants and worked every day of their lives, is what kept me focused. Experiencing firsthand their hard work ethic to not only provide shelter and put food on the table, but so that their descendants had a brighter future, was very inspiring and my motivation to change my life trajectory. They only asked a few things of me – to always use my voice, to believe in my own power, and to stay in school.
Fast forward to high school graduation day – my focus paid off. I graduated 20 something in my class (top 10%) and earned a scholarship to go to UT Austin. I clearly remember some of my family members questioning why I never applied to UTEP so that I could stay home or somewhere near – and my answer was always very clear – staying was never an option for me. So, in June of 2000 at the age of 17, I moved to Austin, Texas and have been on my own ever since.
Right before the biggest move of my life to Austin, my grandfather, who was my only father figure, died on an Easter weekend in late April. My grandfather was four weeks shy from seeing me receive my high school diploma and six weeks from sending me off to college. His passing was very heavy on the family and about a year later, my grandmother sent my younger brother to live with me in Austin because he was in a dark depression. Imagine, I was a 19-year-old sophomore caring and providing for my 15-year-old brother – with no help and support from my family. It was up to me to make it for the both of us. We come from extremely humble beginnings, so there was no one that could help, even if they wanted. I put him in high school and cared for him for about a year until I had to send him home.
Living in Austin was a dream come true, but approaching graduation, I knew that there was yet another world waiting for me to experience. I needed to further my dreams and New York City was my next destination. I used the same approach as I did when I was applying to go to college and left no options for me to stay in Austin. I brought one resume to the teacher’s career fair and applied only to the New York Department of Education. Luck was on my side, because on that day, I signed my first contract and moved to NYC in the summer of 2006. I was hired on to teach in East New York, Brooklyn. Accomplishing this milestone was very monumental to me because growing up, we never took vacations or learned about the world outside of El Paso.
After a year of working in NYC, I discovered that although I enjoyed teaching, it was not my destiny. I felt the need to soul search again. I asked myself What is it that Elisa really wanted in life? You see, I never wanted to be the person that settled for a career that didn’t fill my soul. So, I made yet another move; I moved to Los Angeles, California. Immediately after moving here, I became aware that California didn’t accept my teacher certification and required me to go back to school. Since this was my only option, I decided to go back, but with a more focused purpose. I reflected on what I would tell my elementary students – never settle, always do something that you love and have passion for and most importantly, to follow their dreams. At the age 28, I became a college student for the second time and enrolled for another bachelor’s degree. I studied graphic design and fell in love with being a creator. I knew I’d found my calling.
Today, I work in the creative industry and absolutely love what I do. Working as a creative inspired me to start my own business, that empowers, inspires, and leads women. At the age of 39, I launched Chingona Vida through one of the darkest times of my life. I was pregnant with my first child and it was an extremely rough pregnancy. My father died unexpectedly, my son was in the NICU because he was born two months premature, I was working full-time, involved in a broken/irreparable relationship with my son’s dad, the pandemic happened, postpartum hit, and I had to move out of my apartment because the building was being sold. Here I was again on my own; I was a single new mom with no help and having to figure out how to balance everything. What I’ve listed above are just some of the obstacles that took place ALL at the same time. I say this with full transparency because I want to tell my story and what drove me to start something of my own. They say necessity is the mother of invention; I’m convinced that it’s true.
My business, Chingona Vida (chingonavida.com insta: @chingonavida), is what saved me. I have no family in Los Angeles and the only thing I could think of was my wonderful memories of being home and so I sat and created just that – home. I brought to life everything that made me happy, strong, outspoken, and most importantly, I created art that was relatable. My grandparents raised me to be a chingona – defined as a badass woman who empowers, inspires, and leads. I am that woman. I chose to live life on my own terms and I am the maker of my own camino.
A chingona is also defined as a woman who never settles for less, even if that means she must put in overtime hours to accomplish her goals. Every life lesson, along with passion and fire is what fuels her soul. She is a genius at multi-tasking and is never afraid to use her voice. Su familia y su gente are what’s most important to her, along with her cafecito. A chingona is proud of who she is and where she came from. A chingona never gives up. Even when she seems to have fallen, a chingona’s struggle makes her stronger. It ignites the fire within her to be greater than she was before. She rebuilds and inspires others at the same time, porque si se puede.
As of this year, I’ve started selling at different pop-ups all around Los Angeles and have shared my story and passion with the community. I’ve met so many amazing souls that have inspired me to continue building this business and hope to one day be able to give back and provide scholarships to young girls going off to college. Chingona Vida is my passion, heart and soul. It is a voice to be used for good and to remind us that chingonas never follow social norm or a status quo – they follow what they believe in.
I apologize for the long story, but I felt compelled to share my journey from the very beginning because it is a true testament of what it means to have the power of believing in yourself. And what it means to change your perspective of being dealt with adversity and using this as your strength. I am an example of a survivor, of a girl that was not supposed to make it out but believed enough in her dreams and is still believing and evolving.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No. In a short list, I can say being raised in a broken home and not having or knowing stability growing up, coming from extreme humble beginnings, not having the support for college, starting one career, and switching to a new one, all of 2019-2020 – it was up to me to make it. My journey can be beautifully summarized by the Robert Frost quote in which my life took the road less traveled and that is what has made all the difference.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have two full-time jobs – one is a manager at a creative agency and the other is building Chingona Vida through my art. Every piece for sale is curated, inspired, and created for the love of my culture and my passion to share my Latina roots.
I am most proud of not being afraid to start over, to rebuild, to not let age define my destiny – which is why at 39 years old, I started my own business.
What sets me apart from others is my fearless outlook on life and my constant want to evolve. I believe that dreams do come true, I understand my goals very well and the sacrifice that is needed to get there. I try to live my life with the least what if’s and never get discouraged if one door closes – for when one door closes, the whole world opens (cliche, but true).
What matters most to you?
– Experience matters most to me because it makes you stronger, wiser and in return allows you to empower others. There are no failures in life, only lessons.
– Chingona Vida
– My son, Cairo and my family
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chingonavida.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chingonavida/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaChingonaVida
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChingonaVida
