Meet Valeria Trevino

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valeria Trevino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valeria below.

Valeria, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose came naturally at a young age, fueled by my experiences and my faith. As a Muslim woman, I believe my purpose is to submit to my creator and live a life of patience, thankfulness, and conviction, all while contributing positively to society. It was clear to me that whatever I pursued in life had to be impactful and align with my faith and values.

Before becoming a businesswoman, I worked as a project manager and community organizer for nonprofits. These roles reinforced my desire to make a positive impact. When I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I was determined to ensure that every decision I made was purposeful and beneficial.

Starting The Nour Company, a niche store selling Islamic gifts and modest clothing, was a response to a need in our community. I developed a consignment program to feature Muslim women-owned small businesses and creatives, allowing them to set their retail prices. Additionally, I built a social gathering space in my store to host local authors, artists, community events, and vendor pop-ups. This fosters a sense of community and spotlights our community’s emerging artists and creatives.

Creating a profitable business that lifts up fellow Muslim women entrepreneurs, fills a market gap, and fosters community is now a vital part of my life’s purpose. It’s not just about business; it’s about making a meaningful, positive impact on the community.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Valeria, and I am a Latina Muslim woman—a unique combination that has shaped my journey in profound ways. I started my entrepreneurial journey with Nour Emporium, an Islamic online gift shop. Initially, I illustrated greeting cards and tote bags on my tablet and participated in small local muslim markets. Gradually, I expanded to include holiday decor and novelties. This year, I decided it was time to bring my online store to a physical location.

I didn’t want to do this alone. I wanted to bring along the fellow Muslim women small business owners I had met in local muslim markets. So, when I opened my store, I implemented a consignment program that benefits all of us. I believe that my store is only more special because it offers a variety of products from the consignment program. It fills me with joy every time a customer’s eyes light up when they find a unique item or something they’ve been searching for. It’s wonderful to see how our community responds to this business. Also, I love that our events truly bring our community together and are so intentional and meaningful. Creating events and inviting local authors for book readings and signings has helped them gain the community’s support and step into the spotlight.

While the store has only been open for four months, I’m excited about the events and products we have coming up soon, and I can’t wait to share them with you all!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, resilience, adaptability, and a community focus were the most impactful qualities in my journey. Each of these played a crucial role in shaping The Nour Company and helping me grow it.
Resilience helped me overcome the unique challenges I faced as a Muslim Latina woman, allowing me to stay motivated and persevere even when obstacles seemed very insurmountable. Adaptability enabled me to pivot and innovate as my business grew, ensuring that I could meet the ever evolving needs of my customers. Finally, maintaining a strong focus on community allowed me to create a business that not only served but also uplifted my fellow entrepreneurs. In essence, resilience, adaptability, and a strong community focus have been the real key.

For those amazing entrepreneurs early in their journey, embracing these qualities can really provide a solid foundation for growth and success! So, stay resilient in the face of challenges, be adaptable to change, and always keep your community at the heart of what you do.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My business primarily caters to Muslims but is open to everyone. For the Muslim community, we offer faith-inspired gifts and modest apparel. However, anyone with an appreciation for culture and religion can find something special here. If you’re seeking a meaningful gift for a Muslim friend or family member, our staff is always ready to help you find the perfect present. Additionally, our modest clothing is not just for Muslim women; women of all faiths or no faith are increasingly choosing to dress modestly, and we’ve got you covered (pun intended). Whether you’re exploring for yourself or looking for a thoughtful gift, you’re always welcome at our store.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thenourcompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenourcompanyllc/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-nour-company-anaheim