Today we’d like to introduce you to William Walker III.
Hi William, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first started Tuff Fit Tuesday back in high school in Minneapolis with my friends. It was something that came up naturally, where every Tuesday we would dress up and make it a moment of self-expression. Right before heading to college at UNC Chapel Hill, I created the Instagram account, which only had about 10 followers when I arrived on campus.
Once I got to UNC, interest grew quickly. Every Tuesday I walk around campus taking photos of students’ outfits, encouraging people to dress up on a day that often gets overlooked. That is where our slogan came from: Tuesday, the forgotten day of the week, now reimagined as a chance for self-expression nationwide. Along the way, an iconic shrug pose emerged as part of the page’s identity, a gesture that perfectly captures the spirit of not taking yourself too seriously while still showing off your style.
From there, I began reaching out to other campuses, starting with Loyola Marymount, and soon it spread to schools like Clark Atlanta. Now, Tuff Fit Tuesday has grown to 17+ colleges across the country. Because I believed so strongly in the vision, I even trademarked the brand to protect and solidify its future. Throughout this expansion, I’ve been intentional about maintaining brand authenticity. Along the way, we’ve collaborated with brands, promoted merchandise, and hosted service events. The vision continues to grow as we build a national community centered on creativity, style, and expression.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like any brand or organization that grows quickly, there have been ups and downs. At times, there has been some backlash or negative feedback, but I try not to let that distract me. What keeps me going are the people who genuinely enjoy it. Every Tuesday, when I approach someone and compliment their outfit, the smile on their face and their excitement about being featured remind me exactly why I started Tuff Fit Tuesday. Those small interactions mean the world to me. While there may be occasional negativity, the overwhelming support and positivity far outweigh it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a junior at UNC Chapel Hill studying Business Administration with double minors in Entrepreneurship and Advertising/Public Relations. Outside of founding Tuff Fit Tuesday, I’ve had the chance to build experiences across the world. I worked as a franchise consultant in Tokyo, participated in a leadership and social entrepreneurship program in South Africa, and interned in Chicago, where I led a consulting project focused on increasing social activism among Gen Z.
Through my scholarship program, I also conducted independent research at the 2024 Paris Olympics. I examined how Olympic sponsors amplify athlete voices through marketing to address social justice initiatives. I attended events, visited official NOC houses, and analyzed brand activations. I also interviewed athletes, agents, USOPC executives, and sponsor representatives, then synthesized those insights to evaluate the impact of athlete-led messaging in sponsor campaigns.
What I’m most proud of is creating spaces where strategy and creativity meet. Whether through Tuff Fit Tuesday, brand partnerships, or playing basketball with my friends, my work is centered on community and self-expression. Looking forward, I’m excited to continue blending strategy with entertainment and the creative space as a career path.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I see risk-taking as necessary for growth. For me, risks have usually looked like putting myself and my ideas out there without knowing how people would respond. Starting Tuff Fit Tuesday was one of those moments. I created an Instagram account with only 10 followers before even stepping foot on campus, not knowing if anyone would care. Walking up to strangers every Tuesday to ask for a photo was a risk too, because rejection and criticism are always possible. But those risks turned into opportunities, and now the platform spans 17+ campuses nationwide.
Another risk was pursuing experiences that pushed me outside my comfort zone, like interning abroad in Tokyo as a franchise consultant, or conducting research at the Paris Olympics where I had to approach executives, agents, and athletes for interviews. Each time, I wasn’t certain how it would play out, but taking those chances led to growth and connections I never could have predicted.
I don’t see risk as something to avoid but as something to manage thoughtfully. To me, the reward of learning, building, and creating outweighs the fear of failure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tufffittuesdaytft.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tufffittuesday/
Image Credits
@ktflickedit via Instagram
