Family & Relationships
Venita Walker in
Cincinnati, OH
Single Mom, Model, and the Taller Half of This Dynamic Duo
Single parenthood doesn’t hold down this dynamic modeling duo. Venita and Aiden Walker are two peas in a pod, mom and son, and co-workers. They steer each other through storms, and walk hand in hand, in faith. Venita’s career success has landed her in major publications, but a recent layoff from a law firm, has her laser-focused to reach new goals for her family. With a vision board on their wall, and the dream to have a larger family in their heart; together, they persevere. I Admire U Venita, you turn every challenge into opportunity for your family.
Venita in her own words...
1. You two are a dynamic duo! You have been featured in commercials and ads together, including one for Proctor & Gamble. What is it like working with your son?
It is the best thing in the world. It is great, because we work well as a team. He follows my direction, versus if I were to be cast with someone else’s child, he/she might not follow my direction as easily. Being that he does follow me, we’re able to wrap up the commercial or whatever we’re working on, easier. And, it’s just fun! I laugh at him, because he’s so funny. He is full of energy, and it just makes my day go by a lot smoother, working with someone I’m crazy about.
2. Aiden is a growing star! With casting calls and the normal demands of child acting and modeling, how do you manage to keep modeling and acting fun for him?
I don’t have to do anything, he wants to do it. He enjoys being in front of a camera. He enjoys being the center of attention. I think he was born to be a star.
3. It is awesome! You two keep your goals and dreams visible with vision boards. You even have vision board parties with your friends! In what ways do you think this has helped you two?
It helps a lot! I love my vision boards. I’ve even gone one step further and I’m starting New Moon rituals. The vision board allows me to keep my visions fresh in my head, so they stay. Having it visible makes me work towards my goal. I have to see it, to keep it fresh in my mind. This allows me to achieve the goals I have. If I put it away, it is not in my sight, which means I can lose sight of what I want to do. Especially with a busy life, instead of getting caught up in the hustle bustle of life, I have my goals visualized for me to see.
It is the best thing in the world. It is great, because we work well as a team. He follows my direction, versus if I were to be cast with someone else’s child, he/she might not follow my direction as easily. Being that he does follow me, we’re able to wrap up the commercial or whatever we’re working on, easier. And, it’s just fun! I laugh at him, because he’s so funny. He is full of energy, and it just makes my day go by a lot smoother, working with someone I’m crazy about.
2. Aiden is a growing star! With casting calls and the normal demands of child acting and modeling, how do you manage to keep modeling and acting fun for him?
I don’t have to do anything, he wants to do it. He enjoys being in front of a camera. He enjoys being the center of attention. I think he was born to be a star.
3. It is awesome! You two keep your goals and dreams visible with vision boards. You even have vision board parties with your friends! In what ways do you think this has helped you two?
It helps a lot! I love my vision boards. I’ve even gone one step further and I’m starting New Moon rituals. The vision board allows me to keep my visions fresh in my head, so they stay. Having it visible makes me work towards my goal. I have to see it, to keep it fresh in my mind. This allows me to achieve the goals I have. If I put it away, it is not in my sight, which means I can lose sight of what I want to do. Especially with a busy life, instead of getting caught up in the hustle bustle of life, I have my goals visualized for me to see.
"Some things are surreal, but others are expected because I work towards it."
4. Raising Aiden as his sole provider, drove you to make sacrifices to provide him with a bright future. Your financial discipline and success have even been featured in Redbook magazine. What are a couple sacrifices that helped you buy your beautiful home?
When I had to move back from Chicago to Cincinnati, I always packed my lunch, rode the bus, and stopped eating out as often. It all worked out together to help pay my bills. The sacrifices helped improve my credit.
5. You have been featured in Black Enterprise, Ebony, and Celebrity Parents for your previous Avon success. You were in Avon’s President’s Club, and served as the Unit Leader for hundreds of representatives. Along with career success, you enjoy modeling. How do you physically balance single parenthood with going after your dreams?
After I got laid off in October, it made it easier to attend casting calls; not only for me, but also for Aiden. The balance came after I got laid off. When I worked full-time, it was very difficult. Family really helped out, they would watch him whenever I had an Avon meeting or casting.
6. Every venture you explore, you succeed. Are you surprised by everything you have accomplished for you and Aiden? Do you ever have moments where it feels surreal?
Some things are surreal, but others are expected because I work towards it. There are times where things just fall into place and I know that those moments are from God. I also believe in the law of attraction. One of my favorite quotes is from the book The Alchemist. “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho. I truly believe that!
When I had to move back from Chicago to Cincinnati, I always packed my lunch, rode the bus, and stopped eating out as often. It all worked out together to help pay my bills. The sacrifices helped improve my credit.
5. You have been featured in Black Enterprise, Ebony, and Celebrity Parents for your previous Avon success. You were in Avon’s President’s Club, and served as the Unit Leader for hundreds of representatives. Along with career success, you enjoy modeling. How do you physically balance single parenthood with going after your dreams?
After I got laid off in October, it made it easier to attend casting calls; not only for me, but also for Aiden. The balance came after I got laid off. When I worked full-time, it was very difficult. Family really helped out, they would watch him whenever I had an Avon meeting or casting.
6. Every venture you explore, you succeed. Are you surprised by everything you have accomplished for you and Aiden? Do you ever have moments where it feels surreal?
Some things are surreal, but others are expected because I work towards it. There are times where things just fall into place and I know that those moments are from God. I also believe in the law of attraction. One of my favorite quotes is from the book The Alchemist. “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho. I truly believe that!
"Especially with a busy life, instead of getting caught up in the hustle bustle of life, I have my goals visualized
for me to see."
7. You are a role model for many women in your community. You tackle adversity with tenacity. What nugget of advice would you share with a single mom who feels a bit lost or overwhelmed?
There’s so many things I can say. I would say, I didn’t know what I was going to do, or how I was going to get through it. I would say there is a reason for everything, and that you have to dig deep. You have to pray a lot, and you just have to stay focused on your goals. I know a lot of people that can’t have kids. God trusted you with raising a child, so be grateful for it. Stay focused, and don’t give up.
8. You must be so proud. Aiden recently graduated Kindergarten, with honors, from a great school. Watching him hold his diploma, did you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Absolutely! He is naturally smart, but a lot of it is me pushing him to do more at home. At the beginning of the school year, the teacher said he was talking too much in class. So, I called and talked to her about it, and she said it was because he got done with his work before everyone else did. He would start talking, and moving. It was because he wasn’t being challenged. After that, he would come home and do more work than what she provided as homework. Me pushing him at the beginning, became natural to him. If kids are just learning at school, and not at home, they are going to be average students. I feel accomplished because he does more, he does more naturally now.
9. I’m curious, what’s next for you two?
I can say what I hope is next. I put out in the universe, hopefully marriage and an expanded family. We both desire to have that full family; husband, siblings, just a full house. Professionally, the next step will be me going back to work, and me saving more money to travel more with Aiden.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
I admire any woman that’s able to balance a family, work, and a social life, effectively.
There’s so many things I can say. I would say, I didn’t know what I was going to do, or how I was going to get through it. I would say there is a reason for everything, and that you have to dig deep. You have to pray a lot, and you just have to stay focused on your goals. I know a lot of people that can’t have kids. God trusted you with raising a child, so be grateful for it. Stay focused, and don’t give up.
8. You must be so proud. Aiden recently graduated Kindergarten, with honors, from a great school. Watching him hold his diploma, did you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Absolutely! He is naturally smart, but a lot of it is me pushing him to do more at home. At the beginning of the school year, the teacher said he was talking too much in class. So, I called and talked to her about it, and she said it was because he got done with his work before everyone else did. He would start talking, and moving. It was because he wasn’t being challenged. After that, he would come home and do more work than what she provided as homework. Me pushing him at the beginning, became natural to him. If kids are just learning at school, and not at home, they are going to be average students. I feel accomplished because he does more, he does more naturally now.
9. I’m curious, what’s next for you two?
I can say what I hope is next. I put out in the universe, hopefully marriage and an expanded family. We both desire to have that full family; husband, siblings, just a full house. Professionally, the next step will be me going back to work, and me saving more money to travel more with Aiden.
10. I Admire U, who do you admire?
I admire any woman that’s able to balance a family, work, and a social life, effectively.