Brief Introduction
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We are thrilled to highlight Ms. LaDonna Slade, a visionary Strategic Advisor and Consultant at Velvet Leaf LLC. With a profound journey from coding to consulting, Ms. Slade has honed her skills in management consulting, change management, and teaching, specifically focusing on integrating faith at work. She finds inspiration in biblical principles, aiming to empower individuals to honor God in their professional and business lives. Her company, named after a serendipitous encounter that symbolizes smooth transitions and new beginnings, reflects her belief in joy and grace in business. Discover more about Ms. Slade's impactful approach to consulting and her unique blend of professional expertise and spiritual guidance.
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Why did you choose the consulting/coaching field you are in?
I’d say this field choose me. I was a coder aka programmer for a number of years. I was satisfied with the job no real complaints. However, an opportunity came through my co-workers because they were looking for new jobs. They couldn’t take the position but they thought I was perfect for it. That opportunity caused me to use other skills that I had only used periodically. Those skills were l honed into a career as a management consultant.
After a number of years working in the people side of technology as a consultant, I noticed my clients, specifically the ones that professed their faith in God, would begin to feel defeated or frustrated because they knew God cared about everything they did but they did not know how to apply that relationship to their workplace or business.
A bit of my backstory, I was raised in the church and I discovered a passion for the Bible. I love to research, study, teach and develop creative expressions of biblical principles. So, when I discovered there was a need to coaching and consulting in the area of Faith @ Work, I decided to focus on that area as an occupation. I have been able to leverage my management consulting, change management and teaching skills to help people honor God in the workplace and their businesses.
After a number of years working in the people side of technology as a consultant, I noticed my clients, specifically the ones that professed their faith in God, would begin to feel defeated or frustrated because they knew God cared about everything they did but they did not know how to apply that relationship to their workplace or business.
A bit of my backstory, I was raised in the church and I discovered a passion for the Bible. I love to research, study, teach and develop creative expressions of biblical principles. So, when I discovered there was a need to coaching and consulting in the area of Faith @ Work, I decided to focus on that area as an occupation. I have been able to leverage my management consulting, change management and teaching skills to help people honor God in the workplace and their businesses.
How did you come up with the name of your company?
My company name represents my idea that transitioning into new things should not be difficult. Hence you have the word Velvet representing smooth, like soft fabric and Leaf representing new life.
Now, that is the documented reason for the name of my company (it’s also how I truly feel about the name). However, I want to share with you the not-so official story of my company name. When I first started out, I was offered an opportunituy to subcontract with another consulting firm that needed people with my consulting experience. I agreed to work with them but they wanted me to use my business name on the contact. At that time I did not have a business name. I began to pray and ask the Lord what I should name my company. I was expecting to get some profound name from God that would bless the nations. However, one day I was at Home Depot walking down the bathroom fixture aisle. I was just admiring the various types of marble counter tops and I notice a name of a counter that I really liked…you guessed it, it said, “Velvet Leaf”. So, that is the behind the scenes story of how I got the name for my company.
I share that story with you to help you give yourself some grace in business. Yes, it is important to understand all aspects of your business and your customers, however, you must maintain a level of joy and dare I say it, “fun” in running it.
Now, that is the documented reason for the name of my company (it’s also how I truly feel about the name). However, I want to share with you the not-so official story of my company name. When I first started out, I was offered an opportunituy to subcontract with another consulting firm that needed people with my consulting experience. I agreed to work with them but they wanted me to use my business name on the contact. At that time I did not have a business name. I began to pray and ask the Lord what I should name my company. I was expecting to get some profound name from God that would bless the nations. However, one day I was at Home Depot walking down the bathroom fixture aisle. I was just admiring the various types of marble counter tops and I notice a name of a counter that I really liked…you guessed it, it said, “Velvet Leaf”. So, that is the behind the scenes story of how I got the name for my company.
I share that story with you to help you give yourself some grace in business. Yes, it is important to understand all aspects of your business and your customers, however, you must maintain a level of joy and dare I say it, “fun” in running it.
How do you handle a difficult situation?
I am a thinker, so when difficult situations come along, I try to slow my response time down and not make rash decisions. Experience has taught me that those types of reactions only makes things worse.
Now, if the situation is of a more personal nature, I try to surround myself with like-minded people for encouragement, counsel and support.
Also, because I am a woman of faith, the Bible is a source of not just spiritual and emotional guidance but practical guidance as well. It helps me maintain my focus throughout the difficult situation.
Now, if the situation is of a more personal nature, I try to surround myself with like-minded people for encouragement, counsel and support.
Also, because I am a woman of faith, the Bible is a source of not just spiritual and emotional guidance but practical guidance as well. It helps me maintain my focus throughout the difficult situation.
What would I do with the time if I could take a sabbatical 30 days?
I would break the time up into 3 - 10 day segments:
- I would take 10 days to learn a new skill or language.
- Next 10 days, I’d spend exploring a country/culture I’ve never visited
- Final 10 days (Break these days down into 5 day segments):
- 5 days – visiting family & shopping
- 5 days – getting back to my normal schedule before having to get back to work.
- 5 days – visiting family & shopping
What is my favorite quote?
Obey God because He spoke and let understanding come through the journey – Bill Johnson
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