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Conversations with the Inspiring Katie Velarde

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Velarde.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born with arts, crafts and entrepreneurship in my veins. I grew up with six siblings and two hard-working parents. I met my husband at the age of 14, so I was blessed with a second mother and father who helped raise me. However, my love for creativity and wellness is not where I started. I started where we are “expected” to start. I finished traditional schooling with a high school diploma and college obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business, all with accolades and honors (which fade as time passes).

Then I stayed the typical course, for about 12 years, I held down increasingly stressful corporate or non-profit organizational jobs. I was always promoted quickly and thought of as a hard worker, great leader and competent. Do you know what this got me? The promotions. Do you know what those promotions came with? They came with more stress, less time with family, more hours and a salary. They brought on physical and emotional stress I underestimated for way too long. I kept “pushing through” and was crazy busy. Isn’t this the measure for success? I thought so too.

My escape from the stress was my love for aromatherapy and gemstones. In February of 2015, I launched an Etsy shop, Glitter Zen. The name includes my favorite color, glitter, and the feeling making aromatherapy jewelry brings me, zen. It was a side hobby and over the years it grew and grew! I was fascinated at the way people reacted to what I made and it warmed my heart that my peace could being peace and smiles to others. in the Fall of 2017, I did my first live vendor show with my jewelry displayed. I was beaming with joy and I have never looked back! I have done vendor shows all over Colorado. I love meeting new people and making friends across the state and online!

In March of 2018 my life changed forever, I was in a very demanding and stressful job and I needed a surgery. I did not recover after surgery. My body said “enough”. I had three weeks off and had to go back to work half time. I could barely make it through a day. My adrenal glands were over my fast-paced, busy bee, please everyone in my path lifestyle. On June 30, 2018, I ended up having to leave my full-time job to find a part-time job to sustain income but honor my body’s needs for wellness. My part-time job I had found was not a good fit in any way. However, I am ever grateful for that job because I met an amazing woman and current mentor, Faye Marquez, besides my amazing husband, she has been my #1 fan and supporter to do what I love! I invested more of my time and talents into my hobby, Glitter Zen and I began to share Young Living Essential Oils. Young Living got me over the wellness hump and it is the best investment I have ever made (less than $190!). I am ever grateful to have found true therapeutic essential oils.

Fast forward two years, I am quarantined at home while I write this article but am blessed beyond measure! I have a website, www.glitterzen.com which I launched this year and I have a team of essential oil lovers who have taught me more than I have taught them. I have finally found my balance and my tribe. I’m glad it only took me 40 years. LOL. I like to think I have another half of my life to do this right! I know my family more, I see them, and I get to participate in school and daytime activities. I am not racing the clock or losing sleep over evaluations that don’t capture our hearts. My study of gemstones and essential oils has given me my life back and a life worth truly living! This is finally me and I am happy.

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?
Goodness no! Life is never a smooth road! Life has thrown some major curveballs. But it’s true, these things make us stronger in the end even when in the thick of it we think there is no way this can benefit our growth or life.

My husband had a traumatic injury that involved flight for life when our son was only six months old. Recovery is still a process and will never be 100%, but here we are, still standing side-by-side with an amazing 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. The birth of my daughter had some major health implications from an epidural gone wrong, my surgery in March of 2019 almost leveled the person I was, I had a traumatic brain injury from a major car accident and other bumps. But I refuse to let these define me even though I do have a pity party here and there.

My best advice to young women and any women out there reading this is to honor your heart. Let your emotions come and let them go. Live in the moment, life is fleeting. Don’t waste time doing what you “should” be doing. Do what you WANT to do and success will follow. I define success as happiness and having enough, not mansions and designer belongings. Those too will lose their luster. Be you, perfectly imperfect, unapologetically you!

What should we know about Glitter Zen? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My specialty is people and wellness. My gemstone creations and aromatherapy education give me complete joy. I am most knows as Katie of Glitter Zen and my handmade aromatherapy gemstones are very well-known in Colorado and last year, I began expanding to other states. Sharing love through creation and education pretty much defines my career. I am most proud that I pursued my dreams and am living a life I will not regret! What sets my jewelry apart are the high quality, ethically sourced stones and that me, my husband and children make every single bracelet. The pride of shipping each package fulfills me! As a Young Living distributor I take supporting my members very seriously. I want them to learn and be well! My genuine care for all of humanity and their wellness and peace is what differentiates me.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Women are well positioned for any opportunity they set their minds and intentions to. Believe in yourself and the sky is the limit! However, what I have discovered is that until we realize this, we cannot capitalize on the limitless possibilities. Believe in yourself!

Pricing:

  • Glitter Zen Bracelets range from $18-$40 on www.glitterzen.com. Custom Bracelets are common and you can email me for anything custom!
  • Joining my Essential Oils family with Young Living is $165 plus tax and shipping, this starts your membership and journey with me and my team. This price includes over $450 worth of Young Living Products and a lifetime warranty diffuser! Anyone who is a member can also start a business (no extra cost) and I train leaders about 3-4 times per year! My Enroller and Sponsor ID is 14575946.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Laura Pyhtila

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