Conversations with Deanna Grady

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Grady.

Hi Deanna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Trinity Home Lake Arrowhead (LA) began with a great need for respite, solace, and a place to recharge. The feeling of overwhelming stress as most people felt during the height of the pandemic was the catalyst for a long overdue vacation. But what does one do in the middle of pandemic? As AirBnB’s opened up, I thought a beautiful tranquil location such as Lake Arrowhead would be a great place to gain solace and practice mindfulness and wellness. I chose Lake Arrowhead because as a child my mother would take my sister and I up the mountain to support and watch a close family friend ice skate competitively. I stumbled on pictures when I was 16 years old standing at the Lake. I thought that’s the place. I had great memories of this majestic place, it was only a 2 1/2 hour drive away from my home and we could still quarantine and gain the much needed break from reality. I started following cabins on Instagram and dreaming of a time that I could take my sister and niece to enjoy family time and get into the art and reading that seem to never happen in my day to day life. My sister was close to a birthday so I said why not let’s do it.

We found a beautiful A-frame cabin with a beautiful forest view, tons of snow, and a cozy place to make dinners, enjoy movies read, and open up the creative side of my brain. I knew instantly this magical and real-life winter wonderland was place to achieve that. I then began the journey of finding a cabin of my own. This was a six month process ending with the most beautiful bold incredibly tranquil place now known as Trinity Lake LA (Lake Arrowhead). After buying this beauty, I knew that I had to share it with others that were feeling the very same as I was. Many friends, family members and colleagues have come up to enjoy the same solace. A place where families could come and enjoy the views of lake with boats and sail races cruising by, hikes on the trails, a lake cruise on the Queen, off-roading, dirt bike riding, snowboarding skiing, shopping, enjoying great food, and even yoga with goats. Best of all you can choose to do all of those wonderful things or simply just be. Be in the moment, be with friends, and be with family. I found quickly that many of my colleagues at LinkedIn, neighbors, friends, and family were seeking the same thing. This is when the idea of creating a place where people can come and enjoy began. This was the birthing of Trinity Home Lake Arrowhead. A cabin packed with amenities, luxury, and rest for those seeking to pause to just be.

Like all journeys, this did not come with its ups a downs. A single women in a pandemic making a choice to buy a home and then share with others was an outlandish idea. I believe in taking intelligent risk. This is no gain emotionally or financially unless you take risk. I do this in business every day and after the memories of a great business suffering from the economy slow down in 2007 and 2008 who would want to do it again. I literally prayed fasted studies, invited experts wisdom and finally dove in. What differentiated me from the others was that I was willing to take the risk, endure the long journey after losing out to investors to finding the one that was made just for me. The minute I saw the house, I knew after six months this one was it! My sister and niece agreed to support my dream. This meant my sister who is an amazing photographer leaning in with her talent, my niece at 16 years old designing our logo and building our website, to friends leaning into move up to the Mountain, to the locals embracing another airbnb with heart and respect for the community. Trinity Home LA Luxury on the Mountain also allowed me to flex between business and a passion – serving others, being creative in design, decor, art, and teaching and partnering with my family to build a solid business while maintain a home that we too could enjoy and relax in. With Trinity Home LA growing popularity, we have created customer candles, re-usable grocery bags & reusable Tumblers, plus collaborations with other small business to create products that are both mindful and luxurious.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish! Whenever you take a risk you are always bound to endure trials and obstacles. My journey was no different. Six months, dozens of houses, falling in and out of love with properties only not to be selected as the buyer. Not to mention standing in as backup to other offers only to see them close and go to other families. The market was also riddled with investors. Crazy all cash offers with riders to add $10k to $100k on top of the highest offer on old run of the mill properties. I felt defeated at every turn. Health issues and anxiety to even drive up the mountain. So many obstacles. My mother said to me long ago what is for you will not pass you by. To honor her memory, I continued to search, drove up every weekend to find the property that was perfect for me but I too was perfect for. The seller took a risk against cash offers to this single working gal to close on the house. The market was also flooded with everyone buying and selling. Timelines weren’t being met and offers continued to come in waiting for me to not have the ability to close the property. Many pep talks to my lending team, realtor, seller, and frankly all lot of self-talk and encouragement from my family, we got it done. I got the opportunity to honor my mother’s memory and the times we shared in Lake Arrowhead and be an example to others looking to buy a home, save for a big audacious hairy goal, taking intelligent risk or even learning perseverance and the true of art of never giving up.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have the privilege and honor to lead the Government Sales Teams at LinkedIn across North America for now three business lines. My teams provide Hiring, Learning (LinkedIn Learning), and Engagement tools to our nations government who serve Citizens. During this pandemic, you can only imagine how busy LinkedIn was supporting folks to get back to work, find new jobs and opportunities, train up and learn to work in the new normal.

As a black leader at LinkedIn, I also have the privilege to mentor and coach BIPOC people in tech as well as host LinkedIn Live which is interview/podcast/webinar platform that allows us to talk about deep and important topics. Most recently, I hosted world-renowned thought leaders in Diversity Inclusion and Belonging bringing learnings and collaboration to the masses.

Trinity Home LA (Lake Arrowhead) enables me to continue to serve others in a unique way. It also allows me to flex index in entrepreneurial world. Conscious, mindful Luxury AirBnB/vacation home rental

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t view luck playing a role. I think preparation, willingness to take a risk and jump in play a much higher role. I am spiritual (thus the name Trinity) and as a Christ centered person, I believe in a spiritual power that provides for every blessing. All I need to do is believe, prepare, and get into action. I also believe in taking a warrior player position in life and view all things as challenges. By taking that position, it helps me to overcome and persevere.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.TrinityHomeLA.com
• Instagram: @TrinityHomeLA
• Facebook: @TrinityHomeLakeArrowhead
• Twitter: @TrinityHomeLA
• Other: Link Tree https://linktr.ee/trinityhomela AirBnB https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/51464671?source_impression_id=p3_1629352012_0WQSsOQXpNqbQ%2F5l

Image Credits:
LaVonne Grady