Today we’d like to introduce you to Akia Williams.
Akia, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I always had a natural love of fashion. I enjoyed going on shopping trips to the mall with my mom and the freedom to express myself through the clothes I wore. In middle school, I took a Home Economics class and was introduced to the art of sewing. After completing my first project- a pair of Winnie the Pooh pajama pants and a matching drawstring backpack, I was eager to step out into the world as a Fashion Designer someday.
Years later, my mom gifted me a sewing machine and enrolled me into a basic sewing class which helped me gain some confidence sewing by myself. Throughout college, I found myself dabbling in different sewing projects in between my coursework. It wasn’t until my senior year that I decided to give fashion design a try. With the help of some YouTube videos, I designed my very first collection to be featured in a campus fashion show.
Shortly after graduating from college, I decided to take my creative gift a little more seriously- which for me meant starting an Instagram page lol. Soon enough, I started designing custom pieces for family and friends. Designing for me became more about creating pretty clothes and rather focusing on the woman wearing the clothes. I wanted to use my gift to remind women that they are beautiful and to encourage them to celebrate all that God has created them to be. This is a value that I stand by in my business even today.
My business has evolved over the years. While I still create custom pieces, Akia Nicole has become a Resort Wear brand that caters to women worldwide.
Great, 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?
Being a small business owner has been quite the journey. One of the biggest challenges for me has been prioritizing my business while also working full-time. After a long workday, it’s easy to come home and relax than to start working all over again. I’ve had to push past my feelings and sacrifice some things including time, sleep, and social outings in order to work on my business. It hasn’t always been easy but it’s been worth it.
To any young woman that is starting her business journey, I would encourage her to push past the fear and start. Fear is something that I struggled with when I first started out. One way that I have been able to push past this fear is to put my total trust in God. One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. I’ve even included it on my garment labels in hopes that it will encourage someone else. I know that God has given me this creative gift and even when I don’t know what lies ahead, I know that he will be with me every step of the way.
Please tell us about Akia Nicole. What should we know?
I am the proud Founder and Designer behind Akia Nicole, which is a Resort Wear brand that inspires women to dress well and travel often. My design aesthetic is heavily influenced by my love of beautiful fabrics and rich colors. I love creating collections that are bold, feminine, and perfect for any island getaway. All of our pieces are handcrafted in Atlanta in limited batches to ensure our customers receive quality garments.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
One of my favorite podcasts is the “Side Hustle Pro” with Nicaila Matthews Okome. This podcast highlights black women entrepreneurs that have scaled their side hustles to profitable businesses. Listening to this podcast motivates and inspires me to keep going no matter what!
One of my favorite books that I read when I first started my business is “The $100 Startup” by Chris Guillebeau. This book helped me to realize that I didn’t need a lot of money to start a business and that there are many successful businesses that have started from almost nothing. There is true power in starting with what you have!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akianicole.etsy.com
- Email: info@akianicole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akianicole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopakianicole
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