Life & Work with Lyn Valenton of Thousand Oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyn Valenton.

Hi Lyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Gosh, where do I even begin?

So I am a mama bear of many. I have 2 kids of my own, a step daughter from my previous marriage, 3 grandbabies, and 2 step kids from my current relationship. I know, talk about a modern family.

Without getting too deep into my past, everything really shifted when I made the difficult decision to walk away from a 20-year relationship. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life, and I needed an outlet, something to distract me from everything. That’s when I started a clothing business. It wasn’t just about making extra income, it was about healing, staying busy, and creating something positive during a really heavy time.

That chapter lasted a couple of years and served its purpose.

Then the world changed. When the pandemic hit, I started going to the golf course with my boyfriend, just as the passenger princess at first. But eventually, I figured… why not try it? We needed something to do together and everything was outdoors. I picked up a set of thrifted junior clubs (I’m 4’11, so they worked), and gave it a shot.

My first thought?
“This game is stressful AF… I thought it was supposed to be relaxing?”

But if there’s one thing about me, I don’t quit easily. I became determined just to make contact with the ball. Then slowly… I caught the bug. Matt’s mom gave me her old set of clubs, I took a few lessons, started playing more, and before I knew it, I was hooked. But there was one thing missing, I didn’t have a group of women to play with, or anyone else besides Matt. Well that changed on August 2, 2025, my birthday.

My cousin added me to a women’s golf group chat on Instagram, and someone asked if anyone wanted to play. I jumped in and said, “It’s my birthday, I’m in!” That turned into me organizing a tee time for 16 girls at Westlake Golf Course. We were all strangers… but it ended up being one of the most fun, memorable birthdays I’ve ever had. After that day, people were asking, “When are we doing this again? So I said, next month! And just like that, the monthly meetups began.

One morning, my best friend Sara called me and said something that changed everything, “Girl, you need to combine your two passions, golf and creating.” And that’s how Golf Schitt was born.The name? Honestly, it was simple. I joked, “I’m selling golf sh*t, so let’s call it that.”We cleaned it up a little (shoutout to Schitt’s Creek for the inspo), and the brand stuck.

The monthly meetups evolved into Golf Schitt Games, and by the end of 2025, I realized this was bigger than just casual rounds. I wanted to build something deeper. A club, but not just any club. a community, a support system, a place where women could feel like they belong. That’s how Golf Schitt Society came to life. Because at the end of the day, yes, you can golf on your own, but being part of something just hits different. It’s like joining a CrossFit gym or a Pilates studio. You could do these things at home solo, but it’s the people, the energy, the shared experience that makes it special, and that’s what this is about.

And from all of this… something else unexpected happened. Through golf, I met two incredible women who are now not just friends, but business partners. Together, we co-founded SLĀ (SLAY), a brand bringing a fresh, bold energy to women’s golf.

What started as one passion turned into two. What started as healing turned into building. For the first time in my life, I found something that truly lights me up And I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve built and what it continues to become.

Oh and P.S., the bear logo came from me being known as “Mama Bear”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Balancing my day job, home life, and side hustles has definitely been one of my biggest challenges. I’m constantly on my phone, ask my family. Whether it’s for work or my businesses or even just personal, and it’s been hard to fully shut it off and unplug.

It’s something I’m still working through, but I’m trying and something I really need to do. I need to make more of an effort to be more present and aware of what’s happening around me, instead of always being “on.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Senior Manager of Operations and Workplace Experience at the largest gaming company by day, where I focus on creating environments that make people feel supported, productive, and connected. I specialize in global workplace operations, event execution, and building experiences that bring teams together in a meaningful way.

Outside of my day job, I’m the founder of Golf Schitt and Golf Schitt Society, and co-owner of SLĀ. All brands that are about creating space for women in golf, building community, and bringing a fresh, unapologetic energy to the game. I’m all about creating experiences, whether that’s events, products, or communities and making them feel intentional, fun, and elevated.

What I’m most proud of is building something that goes beyond just golf. Golf Schitt Society has created real connections, friendships, and a sense of belonging for so many women, and that means everything to me. The same goes for SLĀ. We’re creating products that actually represent women in golf in a way that hasn’t really been done before and hoping to have them feel more empowered.

What I feel sets me apart is that I blend structure with creativity. I have the operational mindset to execute at a high level, but I also trust my vision and creativity to build brands and experiences that feel different. I care about the details, the vibe, and how people feel, and I think that’s what people connect with the most.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is simple. Knowing the people I love are happy and healthy. That’s always going to come first.

And then there’s golf. It’s been such a blessing in my life in ways I never expected. It’s not just a game to me, it’s opened doors, created real relationships, and given me something I’m genuinely passionate about. It might sound a little deep, but it’s real. Golf has already changed so much for me, and I feel like I’m just getting started.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.golfschitt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golfschitt and https://www.instagram.com/slagolf