We were lucky to catch up with Ada Crenshaw recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ada, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.
The corporate world is a tough place, no doubt about it. It’s built on the hard work of people expected to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Unfortunately, that often translates into a culture of overwork and underappreciation. Companies reward those who push themselves to the limit but don’t always compensate them fairly. And while it may seem evident that treating employees well is good for business, too many companies prioritize profits over people. They don’t want to admit that paying employees fairly and showing them respect leads to better performance and motivation. If only they would recognize this, they could build a more prosperous and sustainable business. But until then, their greed will continue to drive them, often at the expense of their own workers.
Working in Corporate America can be a challenging experience, especially when faced with unfair treatment from management. Unfortunately, this was common during my time in the corporate world. As I became more knowledgeable and skilled, the workload increased without any acknowledgment or compensation. It was a delicate balance, as speaking up would risk being deemed incapable or unfit for the job. Obtaining further qualifications also opened up a new can of worms. Some managers were either jealous or intimidated by my success, creating a hostile work environment. It was disheartening to witness some of my peers rise to the top, not based on merit or expertise, but solely due to being part of the “good old white boy club.” However, I persevered and continued to demonstrate my capabilities, proving that competence and skill should drive career success rather than nepotism or discrimination.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Ada N. Crenshaw. I was born and raised in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I am a PROUD graduate of Grambling State University, Class of 2001.
Growing up, being an entrepreneur was far from my mind. All I knew was to go to college, graduate, then start working in corporate America for years until I retired around 62. Right out of college, I was hired by The Boeing Company as a contractor to work in the Aerospace & Defense Industry in the engineering field in Los Angeles, California. I spent eight years in Southern California working for a few other Aerospace & Defense companies. Then I relocated to Texas to be closer to my parents.
My entrepreneurial journey started in 2021. After working 21 years in the Aerospace & Defense industry, I was laid off from The Boeing Company. It was a total shock. I felt like I was sucker punched in the stomach. The only thing I could think about was how will I take care of my mom. I promised my dad that I would take care of her. I panicked. I cried. I gave myself the weekend to be alone and be in my feelings. That following Monday morning, I had a moment of clarity. I knew what I had to do. I decided to take a bet on myself for once. I no longer wanted to make someone else a billionaire and help them create their legacy. So, I started my first company, Nfinite Legacy Mobile Notary. After starting that company, I started Ada Crenshaw, LLC.
Nfinite Legacy Mobile Notary, LLC is a Texas-commissioned Notary Public and state-certified private notary and loan signing agency. Our mission is to help you sign and authenticate your most confidential legal documents easily, safely, and conveniently. The services we provide are a great fit for individuals, real estate agents, title companies, law firms, senior living communities, and more.
Ada Crenshaw, LLC provides comprehensive consulting and advisory services to help businesses in all stages of their development. We specialize in assisting clients in maximizing their potential by providing clear direction and advice tailored to their specific needs. Rather than having to go to a myriad of different sources for assistance and guidance, Ada Crenshaw, LLC offers a one-stop shop for business support. From assisting with startup operations and planning to developing marketing plans and boosting customer experience, the Ada Crenshaw, LLC team can help businesses at every stage of their growth. Our experienced advisors have worked with companies of all kinds, from small mom-and-pop shops to massive Fortune 500 corporations. We understand the complex needs of businesses in the modern world and aim to provide the best possible solutions to ensure success. We pride ourselves on being able to offer strategic solutions tailored precisely to our clients’ demands. With our unique approach and personalized service delivery model, we can work together with clients toward achieving their goals quickly and efficiently without having them go through multiple providers for assistance.
We primarily support businesses in these industries:
• Nonprofits
• Technology
• Medical Practices
• Retail
• Consulting
• And others, as requested
Our goal is to help businesses unlock their growth potential. We provide high-quality consulting and advisory services tailored to each client’s business’s size and specific needs. By leveraging our wide range of expertise, we help entrepreneurs achieve their goals faster with greater efficiency and assured success. Ultimately, our mission is to make your business more profitable by providing reliable and trusted solutions for your needs.
Our vision is to help companies optimize their operations and foster development by addressing many areas, including operational improvements, strategy realignment, productivity growth, and digital transformation. We strive to focus on each client’s needs while helping them set innovative goals, plan strategies effectively and leverage the right technology to ensure lasting success. Our clients can reach their potential in an ever-changing environment by offering flexible, comprehensive services with excellent customer service. We are committed to helping businesses succeed today and preparing them for tomorrow’s challenges.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Here’s a list of books I recommend: Profit First – Mike Michalowicz
The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
Maximize Business Value – Tom Bronson
Radical Candor – Kim Scott
Win Without Pitching Manifesto – Blair Enns
Negotiating the Impossible – Deepak Malhotra
The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. Schwartz
The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale
Building a Story Brand – Donald Miller
The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership For Black Women – Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood and Rhonda Joy McLean
Dot Com Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online With Sales Funnels – Russell Brunson
No BS Marketing – Dan S. Kennedy
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
The E-Myth – Michael Gerber
Built to Last – Jim Collins
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Lesson: Live your life and stop seeking approval from others (family, friends, etc).
In my younger years, perhaps like many other children, I was eager to please my parents and make them proud of me. It was essential that they were happy, and I did my best to be the cause of their satisfaction. My achievements in school and my eventual job in Corporate America were sources of delight for them, and it felt gratifying to know that I met their expectations. Even as a working adult, I continually sought their approval. Whenever I considered making changes in my career or taking on new opportunities, I would consult with them to gauge their support. I kept their opinions in mind, just as I did when I was a child, so their pride in me would continue to grow.
As we age, it’s natural to have certain fears and concerns about life. For me, it was mainly about ensuring that others around me were happy and proud of my accomplishments. I realized this was not the way to achieve true happiness or fulfillment. Then, I made a conscious decision to start living my life for myself. I stopped seeking approval or validation from others and started doing things that genuinely made me happy. I started traveling alone, making decisions without consulting anyone, and learning valuable lessons. This has allowed me to gain immense confidence in myself and to understand who I am as a person truly. Ultimately, I have found true happiness and fulfillment in my life by living it on my terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adacrenshaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adacrenshawllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdaCrenshawLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ada-crenshaw
Image Credits
Willie & Kim Howard Photography