Exploring Life & Business with Valentina Valenzuela of Alegre Kids Face Painting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valentina Valenzuela.

Hi Valentina, 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?
After COVID, everything changed for me. With no business to run, I began exploring new creative paths—illustration, design, and tattoo art. I was searching for new ways to express life, identity, and culture. There are many ways to tell a story, and one of the most powerful is through body art—and that’s where I’ve landed.
Before all this, I worked for over eight years as a family and social photographer. That experience taught me how to connect with kids, see their spirit, and make them feel seen and celebrated. It’s the same feeling I now bring into face painting.
My first experience with face painting was during the Día de Muertos Festival in Denver in 2023. We were excited about the celebration and painted faces simply for the love of art. It turned into a beautiful, joyful experience. From there, we began painting for friends, families, and even volunteered at a Christmas toy giveaway hosted by a friend’s organization, as well as the Colorado Tattoo Convention.
Later, my husband and I opened a tattoo and piercing studio at Colorado Mills Mall called Synergy Body Art, where I’m constantly inspired by the diverse families and children who walk in. That experience motivated me to create Alegre Kids Face Painting—a fun, creative, and inclusive space where children feel celebrated and where community is built through art, inspired by the colorful alebrijes from Mexican culture.
Since day one, it’s been amazing. Kids are excited to visit the mall, get painted, play, and feel proud of how they look.
As an artist, I want to stay creative and inspired, while also opening doors for other artists to work, grow, and connect with people.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned through photography and art, it’s this:
Yes—living off of art can be challenging, but it is possible, beautiful, and absolutely worth it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like I said, living off of art can be challenging. And by that, I mean not only mastering your craft, but also learning how to find clients, how to see your work not just as art—but as a business. It requires managing your time, your energy, and the many moving parts of running something on your own. But the journey has been all about growth, even in the hard times.

I’ve always been persistent about doing what I love—creating—and that passion has given me the opportunity to learn how to build and run a business, step by step.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a Face Painting and Glitter Tattoo station located at Colorado Mills Mall, starting small but dreaming BIG. “Alegre” means “happy,” and that’s exactly our mission—to bring smiles, joy, and fun to families, while also creating meaningful job opportunities for local artists and creatives.

Being next to iconic brands like LEGO®, Build-A-Bear™, and many others inspires us to offer top-level service and dream of one day having our own storefront inside the mall.

We’re growing into a full creative experience. In addition to face painting and glitter tattoos, we now offer:
Mobile party packages for events, Outdoor children’s photography and custom-designed piñatas for special occasions

At Alegre Kids, we celebrate art, culture, and family by bringing all of them together. We know how important celebrations are—and that fun isn’t just for kids. That’s why we offer our services not only for birthdays, but also for weddings, quinceañeras, community festivals, and corporate events.

We’re also deeply committed to our community. We love to support nonprofit children’s organizations, offering our services at charity events and toy drives to help spread joy where it’s needed most.

And behind it all, our hiring mission is to support young artists and creatives—giving them real opportunities to earn from their talent, stay inspired, and grow in a supportive, artistic environment.

Little by little, Alegre Kids is becoming a go-to destination for families—stop during a day of shopping, a joyful birthday activity after building a teddy bear.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Over the years, I’ve been lucky to make genuine friendships with talented, creative people—many of whom, like me, have a mission to create, grow, and build stability for their families. Seeing them stay persistent and resilient, especially after the pandemic, reminds me that I can keep going no matter what.

For me, finding a mentor hasn’t always meant one official person. It’s been about surrounding myself with people who believe in me, who support my vision, and who are honest with me even when things get tough. That kind of community has been one of the strongest reasons I’ve continued to grow, personally and professionally.

I also share this journey with my husband, who is my business partner. We make decisions together, dream together, and support each other through every step. That partnership—along with the creative network I’ve built—has been the foundation of everything I do.

Pricing:

• singel Service $9
• Vip cards 6 services $40
• Events $300 – $425
• Photography session $400
• Piñatas $80 – $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alegrekids.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alegrekidsfacepainting/