She’s just as attractive as a model; equally as intelligent as her comrades within the Obama Administration, and most importantly, as down to earth and humble as the southern girl next door. From the former Executive Director of Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network to now the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce as part of the Obama Administration, Valeisha Butterfield is proof that hard work, integrity, and ambition can go far. 

The daughter of a North Carolina Congressman, Valeisha chose a different path than the law school route her parents had planned. Opting for a career in entertainment, she followed her own course and moved to New York to pursue her dreams. She admits that her struggle hasn’t been easy and recalls the days she slept on a friends’ couch while interning with Russell Simmons for free.

Now those sacrifices have paid off.  Valeisha is not only the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade, she is also the co-founder of WEEN (Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network), an entertainment based, women’s empowerment network that seeks to promote the positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society. With an A-List board of directors from entertainers to music industry execs, WEEN has events throughout the United States and is touching thousands of girls and women through empowerment events and seminars.

From her humble beginnings in the entertainment industry to how she finds time to date, Valeisha was open and equally inspiring as she spoke on how to make it in a male-dominated industry and also the importance of maintaining work/life balance.

READ MORE FOR VALEISHA’S INTERVIEW

How difficult was your transition from law school student into the entertainment industry?

 It was so difficult. I underestimated how hard it would be. At the time, I knew a lot of people in the entertainment industry because of the work I did as an intern while a student at Clark Atlanta. I had a pretty wide network but I just couldn’t break in. I sent my resume to hundreds of people, but only got one response for an internship that I really wasn’t passionate about. It was with a talent agency that represented a lot of actresses and actors like Zoe Saldana. So I interned with them for about 4 months and then a top agent there, whom I had never met, called me into his office and asked me what I really wanted to do.  He made some calls and helped land me an interview for a paid position with HBO Sports.

 What were some other obstacles you faced in the beginning of your career?

Well living in New York was a big challenge.  New York is the most expensive city in the world. I slept on a friends couch for my first 8 or 9 months there and interned for free. It was a major challenge, but you have to be willing to listen to your inner voice and make sacrifices.

 So many people aspire to be in the entertainment industry. What advice would you give to women interested in pursuing a career in the field?

When you’re a woman interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry and you’re somewhat attractive and have a little style, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be in front of the camera.  I can relate because I too wanted to be on camera at one point in my career. But I found there is so much more respect, and money to be earned behind the scenes. It’s just as sexy to work behind the scenes.

 As a woman in a male dominated industry, how did you stay grounded and not get caught up in the Hollywood hype?

I would be dishonest if I said I didn’t get caught up in the hype in the beginning. It is a very fun and exciting industry. I was always able to stay grounded and even when I started feeling myself slip, I was able to reconnect and become grounded again. I had to remind myself that for one, the slot that I have is not permanent and I’m not so special that I can’t be replaced. Yes, I worked hard to get here, but there are other qualified women and men waiting for my spot.

Also, I want respect. I think of my grandmother and my mother who are wonderful women and work extremely hard.  I look at the way they modeled their lives and careers through integrity and respect; and although different industries and lifestyles, I want my morals and core to follow the traditions they set.

And finally my faith in God. There are so many things waiting to entice you. But I’ve always had this little bubble around me to help resist those temptations and distractions.

READ MORE OF VALEISHA’S INTERVIEW

 You seem to have a passion for helping women. Even with WEEN, you deal with both personal and professional development. What drives you to want to help other women?

When you’re a woman, it’s important to get your personal life together. If you’re not personally okay, the rest will fall apart. WEEN addresses relationships, work/life balance, talking to young girls about safe sex and even abstinence. For me the personal development part is what I’m most passionate about because it’s helping us, as women not forget about our personal lives.

When you’re on a career track, it’s easy to put relationships aside and marriage aside. But you don’t want to look up one day and have all these wonderful things and be alone. I think it’s really important to me because I too struggled with work/life balance. So it’s helpful to re-focus on what matters most.

And I’m sure that can be difficult working in the Obama Administration plus your role with WEEN. So what’s a day like in your position working with the Obama Administration?

There isn’t a typical day. But I’m in the office by 8 am and I hit the ground running. It’s a lot of conference calls, email traffic, and just focusing on the President’s agenda. And a large portion of what I do for the Obama Administration is creating jobs for Americans.  I handle all the PR and Marketing side of things. I normally leave the office by 7 pm or 8 pm. Then I go home eat, workout if I didn’t in the morning and work on WEEN stuff until 2 am

 Wait, so where’s the work/life balance?

(Laughs) I didn’t say I got it right yet. I’m trying. It’s so hard.  On the weekends now, I take time out for myself. I promised myself one weekend out of the month, I would fly home to NC see my family. And, I also find time to date and strengthen my personal relationships.

 Okay, well as long as you’re taking some time for yourself. Being both hard-working and successful, if you had a quote or a motto that describes your outlook on success what would it be?

Basically, you’ve got to be the master of no. Create a mission statement for your life, just as people do for their business or organization. And let that be what you live by. Anytime anything comes across your plate, be it relationships, business decisions, whatever, follow your mission statement and it doesn’t fit into your mission, then be the master of no. And let that mission be your legacy. 

 

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