Jersey grit...

When you grow up in the part of New Jersey I grew up in, the NYC skyline is inescapable.

Brimming with all it’s hyperbolized promise, even as the Brooklyn transplant that I was (I was born in Manhattan and lived in the iconic borough until I was nearly five,) as a teenager all I’d ever day dream about was my glorious return to New York City.

I spent the better part of my 17 and 18 years driving out to this very spot in my busted ass mini van. Armed with an ashtray full of raggedy roaches and half smoked Marlborough Light 100’s.

In the time it would take for the smoke of my cracked radiator to clear and cool down so that I could refill it with enough coolant to make the drive back home. I would get high and strategize just how in the hell I was going to make it all happen.

It seemed pretty simple. Scrape together whatever money I had left over from my waitressing gigs (at highway side diners and shitty chain restaurants, of course!) Find a job in NYC, then an apartment, and live happily ever after. Surely, if I could do this in New Jersey, I could do it anywhere! Right?

Ohhhhhh, baby Val… Lol.

Before a week ago, I can’t remember the last time I visited this spot. Although the hazy skyline due to an exotic mix of 90% humidity plus all the smoke from Canada’s fires nearly cock-blocked the view, it still brought up all the feels.

Especially after this past year of wading through my own special brand of depression, anxiety, nihilism… Ohhh heyyy, pandemic-induced-existential-crisis…

It was really beautiful to be reminded that there’s so much growth and adventure still to come. That it will probably look and feel even more expansive than I could ever imagine. That, moving back to NYC was cool and all, AND checking it off my list once I was done, was even better. ❤

8 things I’ve found to be true on my Entrepreneurial journey thus far.

photo: Breanna Hansen

Entrepreneurship is insanely gratifying and fucking hard. Luckily before starting Paradise City Creamery I had already been my own boss for ten years. And you can bet your ass the skills I honed as a Stripper have undoubtedly proved transferrable.

In celebration of PCC's 2 year anniversary, this Saturday! Here are 8 things I’ve found to be true on my entrepreneurial journey thus far. Some of it I learned while professionally shaking my ass and some, while working through the growing pains of building my business. Either way, it’s all relative. Thank you for being on this amazing ride with me. Holla if you can relate! Xxo, Val

1. People can smell a thirsty bitch from a mile away.

Look, there are a bazillion people with cool ideas, swagger, and a righteous social media following. And they’re constantly angling and pitching their way through life. Don’t be that person. Be proud and excited about what you do, and remember, time and place goes a long way. Don’t forget to be a whole person outside of your work. The right people will care about what you’re doing once it feels organic AND serves a specific purpose to them.

2. People care when it’s about them.

Think about any time you’ve ever spoke to someone who wasn’t personally invested in you. (mom, boo and pup don’t count) When their eyes started glazing over, and they began looking elsewhere, that meant they’ve already mined your words for something that related to them, didn’t find it, and are now in Lala land thinking about… themselves.

3. If you’re working on a business model and the product or service you’re selling doesn’t center the needs or wants of other people, you should probably think again.

Yes, I know you’re brilliant. And the thing you’re bringing into fruition is that exciting, special something that only you can bring into the world. But take it from your Auntie Val, at some point, if you haven’t already, you need to understand how this brilliant thing serves others.

AKA why are people going to give you their hard earned money in exchange for it?

4. You will fuck it up. That’s ok. Write in big angry sharpie in your journal, deadlift like you’re about to crush the guilt of a mistake with your glutes, and then move the fuck on. If you do whatever you’re doing with integrity, you will have more chances to get it done right. I promise. Feel your feels and then get on with it.

5. Burnout never goes away. It just changes form. Recognize the signs. Honor when you need actual, factual rest. And go spend time in the trees. They really are powerful beings. Plus the less phone service you have when burnt out, the better. Trust.

6. People are complex, messy, and disappoint. And your Mentors will too.

Sure, the idea of a person who’s been there before you and has their shit together can feel savior like. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a humanity.. an imperfect humanity to them. Do yourself a favor, before you even consider reaching out to a potential mentor, remove them from any pedestal. It’ll be much easier for you to forgive them when they eventually don’t live up to your unrealistic expectations.

7. Stay grounded. The journey, from idea to full blown fruition, is LONG. Guaranteed 2-3 times longer than you initially thought. And the wins aren’t linear. They are extremely gratifying and should definitely be celebrated, but ya stlll got work to do. Keep going.

8. Camaraderie from others who are in the same entrepreneurial trenches as you is essential. Entrepreneurship is insanely gratifying and fucking hard. There are extreme highs and lows, and at times it can feel real lonely. Find yourself a group of like minded, self motivated, over achievers and be there for each other. Safe, trusting relationships will revolutionize your experience.

A Creamier, Dreamier Las Vegas...

Taken at the very first Paradise City Creamery pOp up. May 2019.

video: Angie Ortaliza , music: Valley Latini

I started Paradise City Creamery because I believed I could build something that reflected back to me and our Vegas community all of the potential I believed it had.

After years of working in the adult industry, politicking on the internet, and community organizing I was (and still am) obsessed with the magic of Sex Workers and how much of our culture and influence has actually inspired this town.

Though, I can never understand how sex is marketed in every nook and cranny of Las Vegas yet the people in the business of providing pleasure services are still demonized, criminalized and severely underrepresented.

Without Sex Workers, there is no Las Vegas.

Don’t believe me, Google Block 16. And please, do yourself a favor and read more than the Wiki or chintzy blogs or articles written by men. I recommend the UNLV 2012 thesis "So Much for Fond Five-Dollar Memories": Prostitution in Las Vegas, 1905-1955 written by Marie Katherine Rowley. I don’t know if Marie is or was in the industry, but I will say that I’m a big fan of her thesis which reads as an expose.

So, why ice cream?

Ice cream was a hobby that I got into for two reasons.

1. Because I have a severe dairy and gluten intolerance but I loooooove a bougie dessert. And for years there were little to no options available when it came to anything dairy free and gluten free. Except sorbet.

2. My husband at the time, was recently sober, and we wanted to spend time in places that catered to our night owl life style but didn’t revolve around booze. So we’d bop around LV exploring every dessert den and ice cream shop, in search of high-end dairy free / gluten free indulgence and an experiential vibe. The results were dismal.

Being the overly ambitious Aquarian that I am, holla if you know the type, there comes a point with every hobby where I consider whether or not I want to monetize it. And when I thought about the ice cream I was making, I saw it as this glorious medium to invite people in and tell a bigger story.

It made perfect sense.

Here I was sitting on all this experience. 10 years of restaurant service, followed by 10 years of Sex Work, with a knack for extravagance, and a newly acquired skill for crafting plant based ice cream.

Really, what else was I suppose do?!

On Saturday, May 15, we celebrate 2 years of @paradisecitycreamery working toward my vision of a creamier, dreamier Las Vegas. This vision includes:

Conscious Indulgence

Celebration

Inclusion

Giving Back

In the few years it's taken to get here, I am incredibly grateful for all the likeminded people we've attracted, who also share in this vision. It really does take a village, and PCC is infinitely cooler and more fun because of the imagination and dedication of the incredible people we work with.

I am strong proponent that visibility helps dismantle stigma. And I feel really fortunate to own and operate a business that centers celebration and giving back to orgs and mutual aids that support Sex Worker, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people.

I'm excited for our contributions to continue growing as our business does!

There are many ways for you to help us in our mission and I invite you to visit our website where you can reserve flavors for pick-up (shipping coming soon!) or order $WAG (which does ship!) 100% of $WAG profits are given directly to local mutual aids and orgs.

Thank you for all of your solidarity, allyship and supprt!

Cheers to being the pleasure you wish to see in the world.

Xxo, Val