Alison Velazquez: From Silence to the Power of Her Own Voice
Born in Brazil, raised in Virginia, and shaped by life itself, Alison Velazquez is not just a real estate agent—she’s a woman who has turned every challenge into an opportunity to grow, heal, and lead by example. Her story is more than inspiring; it’s a living guide to what it means to rise, shine, and never give up the call of your purpose.
From her earliest days, Alison’s life was a multicultural symphony. The daughter of a Peruvian mother and an American father, she was born in Rio de Janeiro while her parents were working there. Eventually, her family moved to Virginia, where she grew up in a structured environment split between two worlds: the warmth of a free-spirited, creative, and encouraging mother, and the strict discipline of a meticulous father. Although her parents divorced early on, they both instilled fundamental values that continue to guide her—along with her stepmother’s teachings: integrity, honesty, and the immeasurable value of daily joy and family time.
But Alison’s true transformation began at 17, when she found out she was pregnant during her senior year of high school. For many, that moment might have felt like the end. For Alison, it was just the beginning. “People asked if I was going to drop out… and I said, ‘I made a bad decision, but the rest of my brain still works.’” At eight months pregnant, she walked across the stage and received her advanced academic diploma—defying every statistic and stereotype placed on teen mothers.
Her motherhood journey continued with the birth of two more children before turning 25. Kalum, Kameron, and Kasey became her drive, her purpose, her daily fuel. “I didn’t have time to find myself like many other women do—there were no trips, no soul-searching journeys... only the need to care, provide, and not fail.”
Challenges came quickly. As a single mother for much of her life, Alison faced not only the physical and emotional weight of parenting but also external judgment. From being overlooked at school events to people questioning if she was really the mother of three, her youth was often met with doubt. Still, she never gave up. “I didn’t have that phase in life where you figure out who you are—but I found something even more powerful: who I had to be.”
With little support from former partners, Alison took on the dual role of mother and father. This came at the cost of her own rest, working night shifts so she could be present every morning. She learned there’s no room for excuses when three little lives depend on you. But she also discovered that exhaustion isn’t only battled with coffee—but with purpose.
That purpose took shape when, by chance, she overheard a conversation that would change everything. Her mom’s boyfriend mentioned he would only be getting a $5,000 commission from a house he sold—and her curiosity was sparked. “I said, ‘I’ll take any check! What are you talking about?’” She enrolled in a licensing course, passed the exam on her first try, and thus began her career in real estate—a profession that gave her financial independence and the chance to help build futures for other families.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. “No one teaches you how to fill out contracts or generate clients. You're basically on your own. But that taught me something crucial: self-discipline is your best ally.” As a woman in the competitive world of real estate—especially in the male-dominated commercial sector—Alison had to fight for every opportunity. “Yes, the system isn’t designed for women like me. But that only made me more determined.”
Over the years, she developed rigorous organizational systems, automated tasks, and most importantly, became her own best boss. Still, she learned that success without balance isn't worth it. Yoga, meditation, and a deep connection to nature became her anchors. “Being silent with yourself, giving yourself permission to pause—it transforms you. It’s not selfishness; it’s survival.”
This pursuit of wellness led her to reconnect with herself on a deeper level. “Knowing your worth and your power changes the game. As mothers, we sometimes lose ourselves. We become eternal caregivers and forget to be women, to be human.”
Today, Alison has not only built a solid career in real estate and founded her own company—she’s built a life of impact, authenticity, and example. To her, the legacy she leaves her children isn’t measured in material achievements, but in the way she faced every adversity with dignity and determination. “I’ve taught them that it’s not about avoiding the fall—but about rising stronger every time.”
To other women walking the path of motherhood alone, she offers a raw but powerful truth: “Loneliness isn’t being alone—it’s feeling like no one hears you. But you can change that. No one’s coming to save you, but you have the strength to save yourself. Seek support, take action, and above all, believe: you can. You’ve done it this far, and you can keep going.”
When asked what the hardest thing has been to let go of, Alison doesn’t hesitate: “What no longer serves me. Relationships, jobs, environments that held me back. I learned to release without guilt.”
In a world where so many women struggle between duty and desire, between surviving and thriving, Alison Velazquez is a powerful reminder that both are possible. There’s no perfect script—but there is an unbreakable purpose every woman can fulfill.
Her story doesn’t just empower—it heals, inspires, and plants a seed: the story of a woman who, against all odds, chose her voice, her power, and her path.
Highlight Note: Alison, along with her mother Elsa Smith, co-founded The Business People, a company dedicated to helping others start their own businesses.
