Connect
To Top

Story & Lesson Highlights with Valheria Sanchez of Downtown

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Valheria Sanchez . Check out our conversation below.

Valheria , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
As funny or unusual as it might sound, I’m the type of creative who rises early and takes my sleep schedule seriously. The first 90 minutes of my day are essential, they set the tone, help me plan, and open up space for ideas to flow. It’s truly my prime time for creativity.

I usually kick things off with a workout and a black coffee (no sugar), followed by emails, quick edits, or the start of a brand-new idea. I love slow mornings, but in production, “slow” isn’t always an option, so I make sure those early moments count.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Media Producer who’s never been afraid to be a multidisciplinary visual storyteller and Hazelnut really reflects that spirit. The brand started two years ago when I teamed up with Mariana Alarza to bring our vision of audiovisual branding to life. That first year was all about introducing new ideas and finding clients willing to trust our approach. Today, Hazelnut has truly come full circle. We’ve earned the trust of entrepreneurs by becoming the missing ingredient in their formula. Along the way, we’ve expanded into curating events and giving back to the community through educational courses, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Right now, I’m also pouring a lot of energy into Studio124, which has become our creative playground. In partnership with Mariana Alarza and Emmanuel Gallegos, we’ve built a local community of creatives in video, photo, content creation, modeling, acting, filmmaking, and art. It’s a space where people can connect, collaborate, and grow and seeing that ecosystem develop has been incredibly inspiring.
At Hazelnut, our mission is simple: we help brands get the visual content they deserve. We work as a media production agency and consultancy, guiding clients through everything from videography and storytelling to photography and branding. Whether someone wants to define their identity or bring a powerful story to life, we’re committed to delivering intentional, high-quality work.
And no matter what your brand looks like a service, a product, music, an event, art, a film, or even your digital presence, we’re here to create it with you, not just for you.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Traveling has definitely been one of the biggest influences in my early life. It opened me up to different cultures, languages, and art forms, and it completely shifted the way I look at the world. Being exposed to so many perspectives at a young age helped me appreciate storytelling, creativity, and human connection in a deeper way.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Times of suffering have always reminded me to stay grounded and grateful. They’ve helped me find hope in the small things and appreciate moments I might otherwise overlook. I’ve learned that just as good things come and go, difficult moments also pass and that perspective has carried me through a lot.
Success is beautiful, but it’s easy to take things for granted when everything is going well. Suffering, on the other hand, brings clarity. It teaches resilience, humility, and a deeper appreciation for life’s simplest blessings.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The best example I can share is my latest feature documentary, Empower Ink. That project pushed me in every possible way, but the level of commitment it required also reminded me how much I love long-term creative work. It took almost two years from the initial idea to the final cut, and now I’m months into the distribution process. And honestly, sometimes you just have to accept how time folds into itself because for this project, time actually became part of the narrative. Letting the story breathe allowed us to include moments that added real depth and meaning.
It’s been a journey, but it’s one I’m fully committed to because I believe in the story, the impact it can have, and the importance of seeing meaningful projects through, no matter how long they take.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing? 
I think I would regret not trying and learning new things whether it’s exploring new artistic mediums or adapting to the technology that’s constantly evolving around us. I really value learning and figuring things out, and I love the challenge of translating my vision through different skills. At the end of the day, it all works toward a higher purpose, and I never want to limit myself by not taking those chances.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Valheria Sanchez
Emmanuel Gallegos
Mariana Alarza
Groupgimedia

Suggest a Story: OrlandoVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Local Stories