Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Viray
Hi Desiree, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a former early childhood educator and administrator with 16 years of serving children, parents, caregivers, families and educators, my roots are firmly planted in education and child development. During the pandemic, I found myself guiding a handful of families through challenging behaviors and realized how much joy and fulfillment it brought me to guide parents and caregivers towards stepping into their power. Disequilibrium and uncertainty cultivate worry, and my primary purpose was to empower these parents and caregivers through the means of active listening, empathy, compassion, reflective practice and grounded affirmations.
Over the past 4.5 years, I’ve worked in tech as a full-time executive business partner, and launching the Empowered Family Collective was an opportunity to continue to serve children, parents and caregivers. An opportunity to impact children’s lives one interaction at a time.
In the present moment, I’m pruning and enhancing the collection of services that I offer. While I enjoy bringing children, parents, caregivers and families together through local play circles, working closely with a handful of clients this year validated that 1:1 interactions and partnerships is where I shine. And because there is more conversation, openness and greater awareness around maternal and paternal mental health, I can’t think of a better time to pursue my postpartum doula certification, which will commence this fall.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not in the least bit!
I launched the Empowered Family Collective in 2022, and I knew that I was signing up for navigating the unknown, the speed bumps and turns along the way.
Unexpected family commitments required more of my time and energy, which meant that growing my reach, brand, business and local credibility was put on hiatus. Being a people-pleaser, making this choice was very bittersweet because time and energy have to come from somewhere. Both resources are finite. The choice to slow down was hard and necessary.
Most recently, I wondered if this might be the year that I’d end this chapter of my story as a business owner. Wondered if my dream of being a business owner had run its course. Questioned if I was actually good at what I was doing/offering (imposter syndrome!).
The stillness led me to noticing and acknowledging that I’m feeling called to seek intentional discomfort in the form of an in-person immersive learning experience, to refine my offerings as a coach and business owner, and to focusing more on the process and less on the destination.
I’ve experienced a lot of adversity in my 45 years on this earth, and it’s no surprise to me that goodness and clarity came from this challenging season as a business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I aspire to serve, empower and walk with parents, caregivers, educators, and families through each stage of development through a collection of services such as play space curation and organization, parent-family education, coaching, mentorship, and soon, support during the 4th trimester as a postpartum doula.
What sets me apart from others and what do I want your readers to know? I pursued and attained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in child development and early childhood education, was an educator in infant-toddler classrooms for 16 years, a site director for 2.5 years, and am a bonus mama to two children (11 & 13). My God-gifted purpose is rooted in serving, empowering and walking with parents, caregivers, educators, and families through each stage of development, and I engage in a family-centered approach to reflective practice, connection, and simplicity.
I’m most proud of empathy, compassion, reliability and efficacy being at the forefront of my brand. The feedback I’ve received from peers and those I’ve been/am in partnership with are consistent with those themes. I’m proud that it comes through in my interactions and work because empathy and compassion are very much a reflex for me.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes! Three in fact.
1) There is value and goodness in slowing down and in stillness. For parents, caregivers and families, this translates into giving themselves permission to be intentional with how they schedule their and their family’s time, to be intentional about what they bring into their home (e.g. electronics, toys), to set boundaries (e.g. around time, people, access to electronics), and permission to cultivate boredom!
2) Some, many, of us are just now peeling back the layers of the impact of the pandemic on our individual selves, our children, our families, and it gets even more complex when people experienced multiple traumas during that time. I really encourage and empower people to do this in partnership with a trained counselor or therapist. There is a lot to unpack, reflect on and heal from.
3) Integration of work and life is possible through fully remote and hybrid jobs. I’m beyond thankful that I no longer need to feel guilty about going to a dentist appointment in the middle of the day or about taking my kids to and from school. What a gift not just for me but for my spouse and bonus children!
Pricing:
- Play Space Curation & Organization: $45 p/hour (plus allotted budget identified by client). Sliding scale is available.
- Parent-Family Education/Professional Development Workshops: $45 p/hour – preparation & presentation. Sliding scale is available.
- Coaching & Mentorship: $45 p/hour – preparation & presentation. Sliding scale is available.
- Coming Soon! Postpartum Doula Support (4-11 weeks after birth): To be determined
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empoweredfamilycollective.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/empoweredfamilycollective
Image Credits
Photographer: Jessica Comiskey of Jessica Comiskey Photography
Space/Venue: Mira Mira Venue in Austin, Texas
MUA: Erika Alvarez of @naturalglam.esthetics
