Meet Flavia Guimaraes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Flavia Guimaraes.

Flavia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a first-generation immigrant, so I was born in Brazil and moved to the US when I was about 6. Knowing no English or anything about the country, I spent most of my childhood learning everything in Illinois. Between my first move here to now, I’ve moved so many times that I never held on to many friends. I spent most of my life trying to fit in and understand, so I never felt included.

Once I moved to Washington for my high school years that is where I saw my life start to take shape. After the most traumatic year of my life in 2020, I thought Washington was going to be just another horrible move. I now own a Home Decor business called Hussl and am graduating this year to be a Spiritual Life Coach. I now help people find themselves when it feels like they have hit rock bottom and am happier than ever before.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think I’ve ever felt a smooth road before. Life has always felt like a never-ending gravel path that sometimes has a decent patch of smaller pebbles. I’ve been around abuse and neglect since I was born and so have those around me. A car accident as a child and went through the window.

Through my teens, I struggled with self-harm, and through high school, I dealt with sexual assault. Life has been everything but easy, but the fact that I can say that I am here to tell my story is a reason to keep going. I can look back and say I have learned from the past and it doesn’t define me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been an artist my entire life. I’ve used it to cope and to help others or just to create something beautiful. I do acrylic paintings and arts and crafts in my free time, but my main focus now is my business. I realized art is a part of me and I needed a way to monetize that so I can keep doing what I love. I sell my digital art on there and then I am beginning to handmake a lot of my products.

I want my business to allow people to create a safe space for themselves. As someone who never had a safe home or even a safe space within it, I realize now that I am older just how important it is for someone to feel safe. My business allows people to create a space that heals them and helps keep them motivated.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You’re the only person you ever have to deal with, everyone else is a reflection.

Pricing:

• Life Coach: $80/hr.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.husslart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/flavia.hg 

Image Credits
Glacier Peak High School