Meet Trailblazer Elma Joy Trinidad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elma Joy Trinidad.

Elma Joy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a person who never had a straight answer to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My response would usually be similar to “Something that doesn’t exist yet/you haven’t heard of before.”

Some may think this is because I am indecisive but in truth, it is because I believe in the power of possibility and that people are multidimensional. I have gone in so many directions because I believe in the beauty of the “and” instead of the tyranny of the “or.”

Case and point, after high school, I attended the University of California, San Diego where I would graduate with a double major in Management Science and Psychology while simultaneously still working at the shop, completing a fashion internship, and conducting research in the Psychology, Business, and Neuroscience departments of my college.

I then went onto graduate school and got my Masters in Information Technology at the California State University, Fullerton adding on to my previous workload a few more roles at other startups in San Diego and the Moores Cancer Center as a research assistant.

After graduating, I chose to work full time at the University of California, San Diego continuing to support research on treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s Disease while becoming even more involved in my church as youth group leader, choir member, and movie and media writer and director.

Recently, I have been getting even more involved in the cultivating a sense of community in San Diego by supporting large scale events such as the Made in Paradise Hills Night Market and Scoop Ice Cream Festival. I am proud to say that both events exceeded their goals and continue making a positive impact on the city I love.

As you can see, I fully embrace and live in “the beauty of the and” and hope my story inspires you to do the same.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to where I am has been full of a lot of twists and turns like not knowing what was next in my education/career/living situations.

My advice for other’s who are just starting their journeys would be to embrace the uncertainty and look at it with new eyes as “opportunity.” Mindset is so important and if you look for opportunities and reasons to be grateful at every part of your journey you are bound to end up on a path that you can find joy in each step of the way instead of only wishing for something more.

In short: Be grateful for what you have while moving forward one step at a time.

What else should our readers know?
I known for being a joyful and enthusiastic person who believes in community and positivity.

I am most proud of being able to support a wide range of communities within my church (Iglesia Ni Cristo – Church of Christ), family (Tessfresh Flowers, NTS Bracelets, Passion Planner), and community (San Diego, scientific research, foodie).

What sets me apart from others is my wide range of skills and involvement in organizations that I believe in.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My aunt Tess who is the founder of the flower shop I grew up in is a major inspiration in my life. She started the shop as an immigrant with almost no money or resources, initially selling flowers at swap meet until eventually, she was able to rent a small shop in Chula Vista. She would sleep in the shop because she couldn’t afford to rent a place to live in at the same time. Eventually, she would meet the love her life and her flower shop, Tessfresh Flowers would be recognized year after year as a top Florist in San Diego creating beautiful floral decor for hundreds of happy couples each year.

I am so grateful to grow up in the flower shop with her example of hard work and unwavering patience and love to look up to. She always supported me and told me that even though she didn’t go to college she would help me learn about business and life in the shop. I wish everyone had an “Auntie Tess” to cheer them on.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.elmajoy.com/
• Email: elmajoy@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/elmajoytrinidad/

Image Credit:
Leslie Colón, Spencer Pablo, Made in Paradise Hills, Nichole Trinidad, Jonard Talamayan

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