Her Story
About La Va
My entrepreneurial journey started when I was in high school with a resume service, and in college we did a college term paper service. From there, I became my father's administrator, helping him with many things in the church industry. I've been in my field for over 20 years now. I founded Darby Enterprise, which is a turnkey solution provider operating across various industries and markets. We have divisions in professional staffing, sports entertainment management, construction, transportation, real estate, manufacturing, and EV charging stations. Our company was built upon Hebrews 11:1 - faith is the substance of things hopeful and evidence of things not yet seen. It's been a faith walk, a faith journey, praying and following God's instruction plan for our company. In 2022, we were selected for the World Games that came to Birmingham, Alabama, where we had three major contracts working with over 3,600 athletes from different countries. We also worked the Transplant Games of Alabama. Recently, I was selected as the first Black female select partner for Stark Systems, which provides temporary contaminated walls used in construction. We host a podcast called Coffee with Construction, which is a global, nationwide platform dealing with women and anyone in construction. We also have a coffee brand with three blends and one flavor of Ethiopian coffee.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with La Va
01What do you attribute your success to?
What I attribute to my success is never giving up and holding on to my faith. I got here by the grace of God, following God. It's been a faith walk, a faith journey, because our company was built upon Hebrews 11:1 - 'Now, faith is the substance of things hopeful and evidence of things not yet seen.' Our company has been based off of that scripture and believing God for divine manifestation as we walk, praying and following His instruction plan for our company. That keeps us going. I've always been a faithful person, and that faith has carried me through over 20 years in my field.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First of all, seek you a spiritual counselor - it can be a pastor that understands entrepreneurship, that has an entrepreneurship spirit. First of all, submit your plans unto God, and He'll give back to you the increase, the increase and enhancements for your business. Get you a good business coach, someone that can help you process every final step from the beginning to the ending. And go to conferences that help enhance your business. I also recommend having mentors - I have some that are worse than a personal trainer. They do tear into me, but it's only to make me better. You have to have those people sometimes to give you a little push.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Giving back to the community is my heart - that is our number one priority. We believe in giving back to the community. We work with low to moderate income families in education and affordable housing. We help other nonprofits, and when organizations are doing things within the community, we help them. From an operational standpoint, it's making sure that everything is strategized according to the alignment of our vision and our mission statement. We make wise decisions - that's why we're blessed in the field. Our company is very reputable, and we make wise decisions. We don't just make decisions on impulse. Faith is also central to everything I do - following God's instruction plan and never giving up.
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