Women Who Lead Online Feature | La-Trenda Ross

Meet LaTrenda Ross , Entrepreneur of Trending Into A New Life, LLC 

A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong! -Sujata Rajpal.

Who or what has influenced you as a leader?

In the first place, I believe leadership was embedded in my genes by my grandparents, who were very civic-minded and of exemplary service to their communities. I've been influenced by the people around me, the leaders I look up to, and those who have come before me. Being a Leader means being in a position of influence, being able to make positive change and having the ability to motivate others.

Leadership is also about personal growth and development. I've always been passionate about leadership, and I feel that my experiences have taught me a lot about the best ways to lead, inspire, and help people around me. I was also influenced by Elnora Watson, the CEO of the Urban League of Hudson County, who was an exceptional woman. I was then influenced by Mayor Zimmerman, who was the first Woman Mayor of the City of Hoboken who got me into politics. I was never interested until she came to me and said, La-Trenda, I think you would be an excellent committee person for your ward and district. In addition to these, there are countless others who played a significant role in my leadership.

What one book would you recommend to a young woman beginning her leadership journey? Why?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a great book for anyone who wants to improve their effectiveness and grow personally. This classic will help women, who are ambitious and hungry for success, realize that their work advances the organization and makes them a better person at the same time, but it can also be read by any employee from all professions. This book is highly recommended for women who want to break unhealthy habits, overcome obstacles and be successful in life. The lessons contained in this influential guide encourage readers to take responsibility for their lives, set personal goals, seek continuous learning and be proactive rather than reactive when dealing with problems. Covey synthesizes timeless principles with contemporary examples to help readers reach their full potential. Self-development is an important part of being an effective member of a team, and female leaders can benefit from this timeless advice on getting ahead.

In your opinion, what are three  barriers or challenges women in leadership are still facing today?

Women, in leadership roles and life in general, are still facing problems that are universal across both genders: lack of support from Executives Women have yet to be fully integrated into top management teams, leading to a less diverse workforce and leadership teams. In spite of the fact that women have made huge strides toward achieving equality in education and career opportunities, they still face hurdles when it comes to achieving the same levels of seniority as men. Corporate culture is another factor that affects women’s careers in corporate America. Women’s paychecks are significantly lower than men’s—not only at entry level but also through the lifetime of their careers.

What is your "why"?

My "why" is the reason I connect with others and make the world better. It's what makes me unique and why my company or product should exist in the first place. I found my passion for helping people in 1992 when my life changed, and I ended up pursuing my passion in social services. My "why" drives my decisions, inspires people, and leads to customers who are happy to support me. To me, it's very important to help others and make a good change in their lives.

When I do, then I feel myself satisfied and feel happy because I'm contributing to betterment of others' lives. Of course, we live in the world where people believe that if they don't get anything from anyone, then nobody should get anything from them. But I think it's not about what you can get from other people but it's about how you can contribute your part so that all of us will be more satisfied and fulfilled.

You'd do anything for those you love. You'd help a friend out financially or let them crash at your house until they get back on their feet. You'd give a stranger direction if it was clear they were lost. And while that second example may not be something everyone would do, the first three are things I feel like many people would do in order to help another person. But then, why isn't everyone happy? I believe we all have the potential to be happy and fulfilled, but what holds us back is our own mindset and our behavior. We may love the world and want it to be great, but we don't stop to think about how we can make it great for ourselves.

Please share your WORDS OF GRATITUDE for women who have come before you.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me, a young girl growing up in America during the late 1900s, one less thing to worry about. You ministered to my fears and insecurities, fears that were completely unfounded and insecurities that were unnecessary for me to have. Thank you for teaching me how to be beautiful by being yourself. Thank you for showing me that it's OK to look different. Thank you for proving that there is no competition when it comes to beauty. Thank you for teaching me that my greatest contribution will come as an original. 

Please share your WORDS OF WISDOM for those young women who will come behind you.

You're a young woman and you are fierce, vibrant, and beautiful. You have amazing ideas and a unique perspective on the world. You're smart, funny, and kind. You have so much to offer, both in terms of your creativity and your ideas. You should never feel like you must fit into anyone else's box or conform to anyone else's expectations of who you should be. You're already perfect exactly as you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't ask for permission to be your best self. Wear what makes you happy and feel beautiful, even if others think you should dress differently. Don't compare yourself to others, even your own friends. If they don't like you, find out why and work on it so they do. Be humble enough to say, "I'm sorry". Be smart enough to say "I don't know" when you don't know something. Don't be afraid to love deeply. Be your best self. Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person is at stake. When it comes to love and relationships, don’t rush into anything until you’re sure it’s right. Always treat everyone with kindness and respect, even if they don’t deserve it. Don’t put yourself down or allow other people to put you down—you are worth so much more than that!

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About La-Trenda Ross

La-Trenda Ross is the founder of Trending Into A New Life, LLC,  a life coaching company, with the aim of helping people develop healthier and more fulfilling relationships. As a coach for 30 years, La-Trenda is known as a compassionate person and an excellent listener and has been on this coaching journey since the age of twenty-two. In addition to wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, Trending Into A New Life has always been drawn to helping others. In addition to writing How To Begin A New Life, La-Trenda is a certified life coach, motivational speaker, and workshop facilitator.

In addition to her AAS in Human Services and BA in Psychology, she is currently pursuing a certificate in Business Management.

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