Welcome to ROOTED, an editorial series created by byAVA - a brand deeply rooted in Chinese and Korean heritage - dedicated to exploring the stories of inspiring women who are proudly connected to their own cultural roots.

Through intimate conversations, ROOTED highlights women who carry their heritage with intention, honoring the traditions, rituals, and values that have shaped who they are today.

Our first profile features Valeria Lipovetsky -  mother, content creator, businesswoman, and podcaster who reflects on growing up in Russia, navigating assimilation after moving to North America, and ultimately finding her way back to the traditions and identity that ground her.

Have there been moments where you felt disconnected from your roots? If so, what helped you find your way back? 

When I moved to North America, I tried to assimilate and adapt very quickly, and then at some point, I started to lose those special things that made me who I am.

But once I started to pay attention to it, acknowledge it, and was honest with myself - I came back to who I am through stillness, through listening instead of performing.

I also went back to my family traditions - talking more about it and implementing special things like holidays and Shabbat dinners, which really bring me back to who we are.

What does being “rooted” mean to you right now at this phase in your life?

Being rooted means not needing external validation to feel steady. Knowing who I am, even when no one else is watching.

What part of your heritage do you return to when you need grounding?

I return to the ability to adapt without losing myself, remembering that I've already survived many versions of change. And thinking back to my own family history, I am reminded that I come from people who are strong, capable, and resilient.

Who in your life modeled care, ritual, or presence for you growing up?

My mother definitely was a big model of care & presence. There was not a lot of conversations about self-care, but she really lived it through endurance and showing up. She always looked beautiful & put together. She really showed me how to live life fully.

What’s one ritual you hope to pass to your boys that come from your roots?

One ritual is the power of faith. Just knowing that life doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful - there's something really beautiful about that. I grew up in a household where my mother always told us that we are being watched over and protected, and I think that always brought some kind of comfort into my life, just knowing there's a bigger presence out there. I really want my kids to feel that too. Another thing that I would love for my kids to have is the ritual of Shabbat dinners. I feel it’s a beautiful time for the family to come together and reconnect.

How do you honor your roots in your life today?

I honor my roots by talking about them & not shying away. By not trying to assimilate in a way that makes me lose who I am. I think with my content creation - I'm a storyteller, and I make sure that I bring back my origin story quite often. I am the person who I am because of it, so I always try to bring it back to those foundational lessons. I'm also letting complexity exist. I teach my kids that identity can be layered and evolving, because I feel like I've experienced that - with moving to different countries and having layers and layers of identity within me.