Every single one of you sitting in class at the University of Illinois has a story of how you got in that seat. Some of you maybe went to one of the best prep schools in the state, some of you flew from over seas or drove across the country, some of you probably worked really hard to get here and some of you probably settled on U of I when bigger dreams passed you by.
There’s one seat out there though, probably in a Communication class, that belongs to a girl named Britney Ladd, and she wants to be in that seat more than anything. She is the first person in her family to go to college, and when she walks at graduation next May, it will be the first time any one in her family has ever graduated — including herself, who didn’t even attend a high school graduation.
Britney’s life hasn’t been easy, having suffered every form of abuse out there, but she’s not a victim of her upbringing. She’s worked hard to help herself and others be the best they can be. She’s travelled to Africa and Peru on mission trips, home-schooled herself through high school and became the youngest store manager in the history of Starbucks Coffee Co.
HC: Why did you want to go to Africa?
I was at my friend’s house and her brother was watching war movies and threw on Black Hawk Down. In the first ten minutes, I saw people starving and the Red Cross couldn’t deliver food because of drug lords. I paused it, looked at my friend and said, “I’m going to Africa.” She looked at me and said, “Okay, Brit.” I picked up my computer and Googled it. I really did feel that I knew I had to go. There was nothing inside of me that said different. Nine months later, I raised $5,000 and I went. I even raised to go on another mission trip to Peru — and I did.
HC: What did you do in Africa?
I helped build huts and herd goats. I basically lived among the people and did whatever they needed help with. I ate their food and lived in a tent. I didn’t shower and I went to the bathroom outside. We did stuff like vacation bible school and would play soccer and games with the kids. Kids didn’t have shoes and a lot of them were barely clothed. It was really sad. I remember playing Zebra, Zebra, Lion (their version of Duck, Duck, Goose) and I looked down and there was a little girl biting the sequins off my skirt because that was valuable to her. I bought it at Wal-Mart for six bucks and it was eye-opening what her perception of valuable was. The people we were helping actually robbed us — they just wanted our shoes. I couldn’t blame them. I gave them all I had anyway when I came home.
HC: Can you tell me about your work journey and how you became a Starbucks manager at only 19?
I started working when I was 12 at a bar nearby. After that place burnt down, I needed a new job and started working at Michael’s Bistro on weekends as a busgirl. When I was only 16, he offered me to work open to close everyday as a waitress. He’d let me do my homework in the back and would make me breakfast, lunch and dinner. When that place closed, I needed a new job and started at Maurices as an associate. I was promoted to assistant store manager in three months. I was offered a position as a manager at a Starbucks kiosk soon after. The pay was lucrative and it was easy, so I did it. It was a really interesting, horrible experience.
But after working for six months, I decided I wanted to do this with Starbucks. I fell in love with the values and mission and applied for the company at 18. I had managed since I was 16, so it wasn’t a big deal. I kept fighting for more. I wanted to be better than my mom and have a better life, and no one was going to give it to me so I had to fight for it. I slam dunked the first interview, and the second and I was hired immediately. I got a temporary position as assistant store manager and was the youngest in Starbucks history to do so. Soon after, I was the youngest store manager.
HC: You’ve been dating your boyfriend for over three years. How has he impacted your life?
I always lead with strength and he has taught me to lead with love. He’s that balance that I need. I’m always very aggressive and he takes a very soft approach, so he keeps me in check. He’s nothing but genuine, pure love.
HC: What do you want people to remember about you? How do you want to impact their lives?
I would like them to remember that I’m ordinary. It took nothing special, and it was a lot of hard work, but not out of grasp of anyone else. I wasn’t given anything extraordinary. I got up, went to work and worked hard. If I could, I would challenge people in their own lives to question themselves about who they truly want to become. I want to be that encouraging force to help them get to whatever goal they’re seeking.