Passion & Purpose Velma Freeman-Walter

From Challenges to Triumphs

Did you ever realize that you could do more than you are currently doing? That overwhelming feeling when nothing seems to be happening according to plan. Sometimes life gets difficult as we face more than one challenge at a time. I never thought I would become a business owner, but here I am. This journey is not for the weak, but I’m not here to discourage anyone. You can absolutely do anything if you believe and take the appropriate action steps. The journey of entrepreneurship is not easy but it is totally rewarding. As a nurse, I feel like this career has prepared me for entrepreneurship.

As I was completing my Master’s Degree in Nursing Education, I worked with my mentor, Mrs. Parish, who was very inspirational in my journey. In preparation for this role, I attended a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, where I met other nurses and learned about starting a training center. I paid for the conference two years before attending. I was not able to attend because my dad was sick one year and the other year we experienced a hurricane. 

My best friend picked me up at the airport, and I was finally able to attend the conference. The conference was very informative, and I had the opportunity to network with some wonderful nurses from throughout the United States. After the conference was over, I returned home and was excited to start my new business. However, there was no guidance for starting such a business because most of the start-up information was lost during Hurricane Irma and Maria. I placed several telephone calls to various government offices before I would be able to get started. 

Other challenges were needing a location and the COVID 19 pandemic. The pandemic was new, and I wanted to see what would happen before I decided to rent a business space. The cost to rent commercial spaces was expensive. Therefore, I signed up to become a Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor first. I met a nurse on Facebook who was teaching the business side of BLS, and I took her class. Once the information was finalized with the accrediting entity, I changed the business over and got a new business name. I decided to name my business, Life Skills Training Center and I used my favorite color (red) as part of the logo. 

The opportunity for a location presented itself while attending a birthday dinner for a mutual friend. It was at this dinner that my cousin, Keda, told me about a vacancy that was available in her area. At this time, it was all coming together. I was thankful because deep in my spirit I did not feel like quitting. I felt like it was going to work itself out, and it did. I am no stranger to challenges as I am a child who grew up in public housing. 

I grew up in the Bovini Projects during a time when your neighbors were your family, and everyone showed love and respect for each other. My desire is to inspire someone who may be having self-doubt because of their past or life experiences. Life comes in waves; it doesn’t stay the same. If you stay the course, better days are usually ahead. Believe in yourself, hire a coach/mentor, and surround yourself with people who encourage you to do your best. My childhood also came with its share of challenges. 

My father was the sole producer and head of our household. This was my reality because my mother became mentally disabled early in her career as a nurse. Family, religion, and education were three areas that were important in our household. My father was the life of the party and my mother was a Christian. There was a strong focus on education at home because my father knew that education was the gateway to a better quality of life and more opportunities. My mother spoke regularly about nursing being a noble profession. She was definitely trying to recruit me. But I was not interested at the time. 

I attended the Oliver Benjamin Elementary School and graduated with honors after repeating the second grade. Then, while at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, I was not allowed to graduate due to earning a 69% in Math. I was allowed to go to high school, however, I was not allowed to participate in graduation. My parents and I were disappointed. I completed high school in 1990 and attended the University of the Virgin Islands in January of the following year. Since I was undecided about my major, I took only general classes. My cousin, Betty, joined the National Guard, and I decided to join her on this journey. This is where I had my second exposure to the medical field as I became a combat medic and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Later on, I worked as an EMT, served in the National Guard, and attended the University of the Virgin Islands as a single parent. 

I have learned not to take “No” personally and expect to get a “Yes” once the request is reasonable. “No” does not mean to stop. It never does; it may mean not now. Everyone will not understand your vision because it was not given to them. Some people will try to discourage you. But, remember, if God leads you to it, he will see you through it.

Velma Freeman-Walter is currently employed as a Nurse Manager at the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections. She is the owner and Founder of Life Skills Training Center, LLC. Its mission is to empower adult learners to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality health care confidently in a comfortable environment.