Meet Valerie Ormond | Navy Veteran and Writer

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

Hi Valerie, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I have had what some would consider a non-traditional career, as a woman serving as a Naval officer for 25 years. I was often the only woman in the room or the first woman to be in the job I held. The most important lesson that experience taught me was that I wanted to be the best I could be and prove that I was just as capable as anyone else. I saw these experiences as opportunities, not hardships. My military expeience also prepared me for small business ownership because I had confidence that if I could succeed in a military environment, I could succeed in a business environment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I set out to write my first book, “Believing In Horses,” it was never really a question of whether I would do it or not, just how long it would take me. I had no idea at the time that the idea for that book would turn into a new career as a writer and eventually as the owner of Veteran Writing Services, LLC. I try to pass along lessons I have learned to help others, particularly in their writing journeys. It’s a wonderful feeling when someone tells me they’ve enjoyed one of my books, but I get even greater satsifaction when I’ve been able to help someone else tell their story either through a workshop or a discussion. We all have stories to tell, and many of us just need a little help getting those stories out of us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego is such a fun town to visit offering something for everyone. One of my favorite hidden treasures is the Barefoot Bar & Grill at Paradise Point, a little off the beaten path which means it’s not usually as crowded as some of the other waterfront spots. And of course there’s the Gaslamp District with food, brewery, and entertainment choices all within a few blocks. To give credit to San Diego’s Navy roots, the USS Midway Museum can’t be missed. And finally, one can’t tour San Deigo without exploring Balboa Park, its museums, and gardens.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of my favorite quotes is Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “I am a part of all that I have met,” and the Shoutout series provides a great platform for that. I was raised by stong parents who taught me to be independent, to think critically, and to shoot for the stars. I had teachers and military leaders who supported me and helped me learn and grow. And probably most importantly, I have a husband who has believed in me every step of the way even when venturing out in a brand new career as a writer and small business owner after my Navy career. It is incredible what a person can accomplish when they have others believing in them.

Website: https://BelievingInHorses.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieannmarieormond/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieormond/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/believeinhorses

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BelievingInHorses/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ValerieOrmond

Other: https://www.veteranwritingservices.com/

Image Credits
MRS Photography, LLC