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Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Miss. Izabelle Natasha Veno of Sanford/Orlando

We recently had the chance to connect with Miss. Izabelle Natasha Veno and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Izabelle Natasha, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people are struggling with chasing their dreams, partly because of the amount of misinformation in the world, but also because of fear, fear of taking risks, especially when that risk could mean not having food on the table. I also believe many people my age are struggling with the feeling of being behind, and honestly, I feel that too sometimes. As young as I am, I still catch myself thinking I should be farther along than I am. But I’m learning to trust in God and His timing, and that’s helped me feel less anxious about being left behind. It’s a reminder that every season has its purpose, even the slow ones.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Izabelle Veno, a 20-year-old poet and storyteller from Orlando. I’ve been writing poetry for six years, and I’m now working on my first novel, which blends Christmas, Formula 1, and themes of romance and self-discovery. Outside of writing, I’m also building two ventures, Queens of Sports and a youth writing mentorship program, both focused on empowering young voices and creatives. I’ve traveled across the U.S. and lived a thousand lives through writing, and I think that’s what makes my story and work special: I pour all those experiences, emotions, and lessons into everything I create.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a girl who dreamed fearlessly, writing poems in her notebook, imagining whole worlds, and believing anything was possible. I wasn’t worried about timelines or expectations; I just wanted to create and feel deeply. Somewhere along the way, life tried to make me choose “realistic” paths, but through writing, faith, and growth, I’ve found my way back to that version of me, the one who leads with heart, purpose, and creativity.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things success never could. Without the pain and the challenges I’ve faced, my writing wouldn’t have the depth or impact that it does. Those moments of struggle shaped my voice and gave me something real to say. They also taught me gratitude, to appreciate where I am now and to never take peace, growth, or purpose for granted. I take pride in the experiences I’ve been in; without them I would be completely different. Did it feel bad in the moment? Of course, there would be moments I prayed to get out of the situation, however looking back I have a newfound gratitude for it.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies the writing and creative industry tells itself is that success has to look a certain way, that you need millions of followers, a publishing deal, or a perfect aesthetic to be considered “legit.” Another lie is that creativity has to fit into trends or algorithms to matter. And maybe the most damaging lie is that writers shouldn’t speak out, that telling the truth or writing something real is too risky because it could get you “banned.” But the whole point of writing is to make people feel, think, and question. I believe the stories that make others uncomfortable are often the ones that need to be told the most.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people will most misunderstand my legacy by assuming it was all one thing, all pain, all fake, or all happy. In reality, it was a rollercoaster. There were highs, lows, and seasons where I was just figuring things out as I went. My story isn’t about perfection; it’s about growth, faith, and learning to create beauty even while I was still healing. I wasn’t always going through something and I wasn’t always having everything go right for me. There was some very tragic events I’ve gone through that many people assume I never went through because I didn’t turn out a certain way. I channelled my pain and hurt into something worth remembering and that’ll ensure my legacy lives on.

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Image Credits
Sy D Photography – https://sydphotography50.mypixieset.com/

Studio27 – https://studio027.myportfolio.com/

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