Meet Jenna Van Deventer | Co Founder of Valo Media House

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Van Deventer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenna, what do you attribute your success to?
This a two factor answer to the success behind Valo. Our team and encouraging those who work for and with us to be their authentic self. We strive to let our clients know that we want nothing more than to help portray themselves in the most authentic way possible. Whether that be through helping capture their business through a branding video or helping share who they are through social media. The same goes for the people that work with us. As creatives there is nothing that stunts your growth more than not being able to authentically be who you are. We encourage our creatives to push the boundaries, to try new things, to test out ideas that they may have and see what they can come up with. The beauty of working in media is that it is ever changing and we encourage folks who work for and with Valo to embrace the change and see the potential it can bring all while remaining true to themselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my career journey as a stylist for Nordstrom. I continued to build my business within the store and became one of the top stylists of the company. It was such a roller coaster of a journey. The ups and downs, working retail hours, never having holidays off, working fully off a commission structure – it taught me sooooo much. How I wanted my work/life balance to be and just how incredible my work ethic was. I met some of the greatest people of my life in that role and I got to do/see some really cool things. It truly taught me how to build and maintain solid, healthy, good working relationships and that is something I pride myself on. My relationships with our clients is something I cherish and i’m proud of the people we work with, it brings me a lot of joy.

My creative outlet was fulfilled and clothing/styling will always be a passion of mine but at the end of the day it wasn’t enough. During Covid I started my own small business slanging tie dye (yes, I was one of those folks) and it absolutely took off in ways I didn’t think it would. It was my first real taste at running/operating my own thing and I loved it. I wore every single hat, creator, marketer, logistics, payroll, all of it!

I went back to styling when the world opened back up and I just knew that I needed something more, to try something different. I joined a small, all women’s digital marketing firm and learned even more than I ever thought I would and then moved on to another agency to drench myself in this world even further. I had that itch to go back to working for myself, owning my own business and the universe kind of opened up and said here you go. The way I get to incorporate my old world with this one, my knowledge of running a business, styling, producing, etc has been so incredible. Every day is like turning around and seeing this road I paved myself with each stepping stone along the way to get to where I’m now at.

I want the world to know that I love what I do. I love encouraging people to be themselves. To open up to the world and show a vulnerable side. I love making women feel beautiful about themselves in the clothes they are wearing, how we are portraying them on camera. I truly have found the gold at the end of the rainbow because work doesn’t feel like “work” to me, it’s truly my playground.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh hell yeah! I love this question. I moved to Denver two years ago and was only supposed to be here for a summer but absolutely fell in love with what the Rockies had to offer. I spend a lot of time outside (just like everyone else who lives here) and my itinerary for friends visiting is always a mix of bougie and outdoorsy so here goes it:

We are for sure taking a drive up Clear Creek Canyon and heading into Nederland for the day. We’ll grab bagels at Decent and then head up to Gordon Gulch and take my Land Cruiser on some off road trails. This sounds crazy but there is this giant dead tree that has the most amazing view of the mountains and so I often take people to go soak in that special space. Where it’s perfectly quiet and you’re surrounded by Evergreens. We’re then grabbing a pizza at Crosscut and heading back into Denver where we will grab a late night reservation at Barcelona Wine Bar. I always ask the bartenders to make me a bourbon cocktail of their own accord and I’m never disappointed.

Other go to places food wise are Brasserie Brixton, Mister Oso Linger, El Five, Onefold, Leven Deli, Rivers and Roads (my best friends husband has Celiac and this is like Disneyland for him so literally answering the BFF part of the question, we go here every morning when they come to visit haha.) Drinks at Death & Co, Gold Point, Infinite Monkey Theorem, or good ole Embassy Tavern.

I love taking people to the Denver Science and History museum or the art museum. Our museum offerings in the city are pretty awesome. Walking through city park and to the Science and History museum is a beautiful little outing.

The towns that surround Denver are pretty amazing too. My favorite is Louisville because my favorite store is there, Acme Fine Goods, and I will always recommend a day trip to grab lunch at Moxie Bread Co and shop our little hearts out with Eric and Jill at Acme!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My story wouldn’t be complete without my business partner, Xavier. We sat at a bar, had a beer, and decided to dive in head first in this together. Valo wouldn’t be what it is without him!

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Other: hello@valomediahouse.com