Meet Alysha Valdez | Content Creator, Dog Mom & Disability Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alysha Valdez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alysha, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
When I started working on social media, my main intention was to make people happy and to bring more joy into the world. In a short period of time I discovered that social media was a great avenue to accomplish this intention but that it could be so much more . It became a place for me to connect with people on a deeper level and leaning into those connections and developing authentic relationships with my followers through discussions that has been beyond just cute dog pictures, (even though we all love a cute dog picture). The deeper connections have taken me so much further and have given me a much larger sense of my own authentic self and a wider sense of success on my platform. I truly believe that fostering human connection on a deeper and inclusive level is the most successful piece of our brand. After all we would have no following at all if it wasn’t for the people who support us, if it wasn’t for those meaningful connections we have created through social media and the countless connections from amazing people who have grown with us in our community which spans all over the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I initially got involved with content creation I was looking for a creative outlet to express my love for dogs and create an extra pocket of happiness for others. Truthfully I had no idea what being a content creator truly entailed or how fulfilling it could be, I certainly never imagined that it could become part of my career path. There are so many accounts out there that center around dogs or animals, they have beautiful images and wonderful content. My niche is centered around helping as many people as I can, give their dogs and themselves the best life possible. I do this through training recommendations and product advice as well as through advocacy. I’ve been able to connect with tens of thousands of people in this way because my niche is both inclusive and diverse – I am more than willing to share whatever knowledge I have regarding the health, wellbeing and training of our furry friends as well as the advocacy and self compassion needed for many people who are struggling on a personal level. For a lot of individuals and brands, social media is all about presenting a certain “persona” so to speak, but for me I strive for true authenticity and I believe this is what sets me apart from other creators. There is a real art in being able to create a community of people who have enough trust in you to count on you for advice that impacts many areas of their own life. I derive such a great sense of personal satisfaction from being able to provide just that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
San Diego is truly one of my most favorite areas to visit, it has everything you could possibly want out of a trip. Dog friendly travel is super important to me because so many people in the United States are traveling with their pets and it’s important for people to know how many great options there are when it comes to traveling with your fur babies. I have never come across a more dog friendly travel location than San Diego. Visiting Ocean Beach is an absolute must, dog beach is so wonderful and we always feel like we have truly stepped into heaven when we visit. Even if you don’t have a dog, go spend at least a couple of hours here and you’ll feel like everything is right in the world. Del Mar and Coronado Island also have beautiful beaches that are wonderful to explore. Watching the sunset over Sunset Cliffs is an amazing way to end any of your days, totally recommend visiting at least once on your trip. A few of my very favorite places to eat would have to be Morning Glory (don’t forget to visit their restrooms (IYKYK), Cesarina in Little Italy and don’t forget to grab some donuts at Sidecar Doughnuts (you won’t regret getting the peach pavlova). Balboa Park is a staple of San Diego and you really could spend three or four days exploring around, there are multiple acclaimed museums there, gorgeous architecture, a zoo and a wealth of cultural restaurants. This entire area feels like nothing I have ever experienced or seen in any other place. Everyone you meet here is friendly, there are wonderful dogs everywhere and a chill vibe that permeates your entire being.
Just a few hours away from San Diego in Anaheim is the wonderful and always inclusive Disneyland. We cannot make a trip in the state of California without going over to Disneyland, I know this spot isn’t for everyone and it doesn’t exactly have all the chill vibes. But Disneyland is the most magical place on earth for a reason and everyone should experience it at least once!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My very best friend and husband has been right along on my journey of developing myself, my voice and my life direction – and he deserves so much recognition for the incredible support he has given me. Life is full of ups and downs and being involved in any path of life has its triumphs and its failures, I wouldn’t have the courage I do today without this man coming into my life. I’m one of the main faces on social media but there’s a lot of background work that my husband has helped me with too and his emotional support is invaluable to me. It also goes without saying that none of this would be possible without my service dog Bandit. It is his adorable face that captures peoples’ interests and brings them into our community. I am beyond grateful for the incredible work ethic of my handsome boy who is always eager to help in the creation of our content together. & on a personal level – I am grateful for his dedication to keep me safe and keep me energized to continue to create content, share our story and bring inclusion, love and education into the world.

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