We were lucky to catch up with LaVada England recently and have shared our conversation below.

LaVada, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

I met Crystal Scott during a period of homelessness, which was not my first experience with being unhoused or struggling to maintain my life, especially having faced challenges as a teenage mother. During my last period of homelessness, I was fortunate to meet Ms. Scott, the director of the Family Restoration Program, who took me under her wing. She taught me the importance of giving children options.

Growing up in a very traditional household, I adhered strictly to the principle that what my mother said was final, without any room for questions or discussion. While I still hold many traditional values, I have adopted a more modern approach. The old-school methods helped me establish a strong foundation, but as a single mother, I realized that adapting to changing times is essential to avoid conflicts in raising children.

This principle applies broadly in life. I believe that adults should extend the same respect they give to each other in their relationships with their children. This respect fosters a balanced relationship, a concept that Crystal instilled in me. By giving children options and allowing them to make choices from those options, parents can build confidence in their children. This approach, once applied, can be a valuable tool throughout life.

Crystal taught me that it’s better to respectfully compromise than to argue. This method helps develop great leaders, as long as the influence used is positive and does not harm those we are mentoring.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my journey much like many others—identifying a problem and seeking to solve it. As a teenage mother raised by a mother who had experienced abuse, I was determined to break the cycle of trauma. I have supported single mothers and families, created and distributed motivational flyers, and immersed myself in environments that fostered personal growth. My commitment to overcoming a victim mentality led me to develop the Potted Plant Method, given by God which I now share widely. This method is versatile and applicable across various platforms and levels.

Today, I lead a grassroots non-profit organization, focusing on clarity and mindfulness in mentoring women, children, middle schoolers, and college-aged individuals. Balancing multiple roles as a minister, author, business owner, mother, mentor, and poet, I bring a wealth of experience and insight. I have authored several books, including “Travailing: A Journey Through Depression, Motivation, Frustration, and Resilience” and “The Art of Remaining: Balancing the Two Cultures / Unlocking Your Growth and Success with Emotional Intelligence.”

My commitment is toward women, particularly strong toward empowering indigenous Black women to find their true identity. I use workbooks like “Knowing Me” and “Tea Through It,” and introduce women to acronyms that serve as tools for regaining direction. With an open-door policy and a focus on “Healthy Boundaries,” I facilitate conversations that help women reconnect with their higher selves. Recognizing the importance of shaping the future, I focus on mentoring in Healthy Boundaries, Effective Communication, and Personal Growth topics.

I distinguish myself by overcoming numerous societal challenges, including being raised by a mother who, despite her best efforts, struggled with addiction and literacy. As a survivor of teenage motherhood, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence, I have surpassed numerous societal expectations, emerged as a healed woman, and committed myself to aiding others in their pursuit of healing.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Running a business can sometimes make you feel like escaping and never returning. Promises of support often turn out to be empty, and you find yourself wondering where everyone has gone. If you haven’t experienced this yet, as the wise church mothers say, “Just keep living.” Actions speak louder than words, and I learned this lesson when a close friend and I planned to open a studio for women in our community. This studio was meant to provide education, empowerment, and encouragement for women as well as generate income for my organization.

Despite initial enthusiasm and some progress, delays and unmet commitments caused the project to fall through. My intuition warned me that something was off, and eventually, the focus shifted from community support to commercial rental. This experience confirmed the importance of trusting my instincts. Fortunately, this realization came just in time for me to decide not to renew my office lease. I closed my office, redistributed the furniture, and continued providing services without a brick-and-mortar space. It’s okay to pivot, don’t wait to pivot and listen when your intuition red flags you to pivot.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Many individuals start their businesses with personal funds or investments from others. In my case, I relied solely on self-funding, driven by a strong sense of purpose and mission. The saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way,” truly applied to my journey. As my organization grew through word of mouth, anonymous donors began supporting our mission of restoring women. I received my first grants during COVID-19, after being in operation for nine years.

One key lesson I learned is that managing substantial funds requires a different mindset. When I received $250,000 for the first time, I spent it as if it were a much smaller amount, due to a survival mentality. It’s crucial to understand your targeted population and allocate funds accordingly, investing in their growth. If you’re not experienced with handling significant amounts of money, find reliable advisors to help manage and grow your resources, ensuring the sustainability of your mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.greaterrestorationconnection.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vadajinspire/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hofrcc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collaborativeconnection/
• Youtube: https://fb.watch/s68KbjZOMk/