A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, La Detra White is the founder of Awesome Life Ministries, “a place for women to come together and share their inspiring stories and enhance their faith walk.” A blogger and speaker, she works to help people reach their truth.
Below she gives great advice and opens up about her own life.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
My family and knowing that I’m able to make a difference in my community. It’s awesome to be a source of inspiration. My oxygen is derived from knowing I make a difference in the lives of others. I grew up believing the world is bigger than me and in order to fit in I have to be in. Being in means doing things to stand out from a spirit level.
How did you determine your career path?
I believe my career chose me. I was the one in the back of the room constantly saying, “[With] all due respect, does that really make sense?” Those type of engaging, timely questions with answers got me noticed. And once I realized I was adding real value to complex situations, I knew I had found my place in the working world.
Describe the skill sets that will be essential to future business leaders and innovators.
Attention to detail, innovative thinking, resilience, and patience. But most of all, conviction to the truth. I will always believe you need to start and end with the truth that makes sense in you.
Reveal innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
I don’t just focus on problems. My main focus is always the solution. I’m always thinking of how I can improve a process as opposed to worrying about why it’s not working.
Describe why lifelong learning is important to you?
Learning is an essential part of growth, and you can never know too much. It also gives you a sense of perspective and culture.
What are the three most important factors of being a successful woman?
Telling your truth. Never getting in front of God. Never believing you are in it alone.
Technology plays what role in your daily life?
A huge role. I’m always sharing my life on Facebook and I love interacting with people across the country. My iPhone is my best friend. I’m always snapping photos and streaming on Facebook Live. I don’t know what I’d do without it. I wake up with the world around me and I sunset with the same.
What social media or digital tool has made the biggest difference in your life and why?
Facebook Live has definitely made a huge difference in my life. I’ve been able to connect with people around the world while doing our small business ambushes. If it weren’t for this platform, I wouldn’t be able to share exciting moments with the nation while they’re happening. I can always post prerecorded videos, but it’s more engaging if the audience is experiencing it live.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
We need more compassion in our world. More love, less hate, more open thinking, more open hearts.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would have an infinite amount of time to do all the things I want to do.
Who or what motivates you and why?
The only thing that matters to me is what I think of myself, after God has taken his best look.
What are the do’s and don’ts for young women in business?
Don’t change unless you feel it from the inside.
Do be your best self.
Never yield to any temptation that may lead to unhappiness.
How do you successfully grow from business failure?
You grow from business failure by learning from your mistakes. Sometimes we can get so caught up that we’ve made a mistake but we don’t take the time to actually reflect and analyze how we can turn that mistake into a teachable moment.
Name three successful female role models.
Oprah because she was the anti-typical physical depiction of “who has made it.” Michelle Obama because it goes without saying. And my momma Nancy because she taught me to swim before I knew I was drowning.
