Meet Vanessa Orlando

We were lucky to catch up with Vanessa Orlando recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found purpose in many areas in my life. My faith for starters is what helped me feel like God has a plan for anyone and everyone, including myself. God had made me believe that anything that was in my path was for a reason and it has allowed me to overcome any challenges thrown my way. I find comfort in praying with family and friends as well as being in the Women’s Group at my local church. Another area has always been my family and friends. They have been there to support me with any goals or ambitions I have put on my path and are willing to get involved in anyway that they can. Rather it be listening to my radio show or doing a call-in suggestion to play a certain song, I appreciate all of it, even in the smallest ways. Lastly, music has helped me find my purpose. Since a young age, I have always remembered loving all music and I can definitely say I still feel the same way. Music is the reason I have met all the wonderful people that I know now and has become part of my career for the future as an audio engineer.

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

Hi! My name is Vanessa Orlando and I am currently a senior at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois. I majored in Communication Studies and I am involved in the schools radio station WXAV 88.3FM, where I serve as a radio show host! I titled my show “The Vintage Vault” where I talk about classic rock music, spin vinyl’s, and interview local bands! Outside of school, I am also in private lessons to obtain my professional audio engineering license. I love surrounding myself with music and have for as long as I remember. My current favorite bands include The Doors, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd! My family and friends make my world spin and they all overfill my heart with abundant joy. Lastly, some fun-facts include that I am a proud Italian-American, a notorious vinyl and book collector, and that I am left- handed!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that are impactful on my journey is faith, confidence, and optimism. For me, having faith is about having a belief system. That belief system was my faith in God. It made me believe there was a purpose in life. I grew up in a religious household where I was taught to believe that I can bring anything to God and to find comfort in prayer and those around me. Faith is very personal, so always do what you feel comfortable doing and to always do things for yourself. In terms of confidence, you should always be firm in who you are and what you want to accomplish. Always remember that you are the main character in your own life, and only you can write the story you wish to share with the rest of the world! Lastly, optimism is all about your mental state. For me, being optimistic is the way I overcome any speed bumps in my journey. Instead of thinking on what has gone wrong, I think to myself that it is okay if something doesn’t work out because there will be something that does! It is okay to not get everything right the first try and to learn along the way. The best way to move forward is to never look backwards and to surround yourself with the things that make you smile.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was having their support. Regardless if it was joining the basketball team, registering for college or even getting my driver’s license, I could always count on my parents to be there for me. My mom and stepdad are the one’s who have always told me to reach for the stars and always recognize my accomplishments, which will always go a long way in the end. Their support with my music journey has meant the absolute most as it has gotten me from Point A to Point B. They will always make sure to post my showtimes and are the first ones to tune in on my radio show. They always send videos of them listening and always give me new and better ideas for the next time I’m live. They always make sure to say that they’re proud of me and that they love me no matter the time or day. Having their support has always and will continue to make me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wxav.com
• Instagram: nes.orlando
• Linkedin: Vanessa Orlando
• Other: My radio show Instagram is @thevintageevault
  Spotify could be found at vansspammm