We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alana Williams. Check out our conversation below.
Alana, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
I felt the most loved when Paul started shaking in the labor and delivery room. I though oh this man really does love me, he does not want to loose me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Alana Williams and I work at All American Specialties! The best awards shop in the world. But I don’t just work here…I grew up here. My grandparents Tony and Angela McIntyre opened this shop back in 1972. I have a lot of memories of the “old shop” in Decatur GA. Like trying on the tiara in the show room and holding the scepter and pretending to have won all kinds of awards and giving fake acceptance speeches. I was building trophies at the age of 5 and over the years I always had a leg up you might say because of the things my Dad was able to do at the shop. That’s right my Dad and his 2 brothers Scott and Sean work here as well. Growing up I had my name embroidered or engraved on everything! Backpacks, pencils, purses, clothing. In middle school I made my friends custom medals or trophies as birthday gifts and it was huge hit. It was also at that time the All American business was growing so much that we needed a new building and I watched a block of dirt get turned into a HUGE production warehouse and showroom.
Now we have renovated again to make more room for production space as the company has continued to grow. We make awards for most schools in the state of GA and many in South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and even California!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My Dad Keith Williams showed me what a good work ethic is. And now that I work with him everyday I really see it in action. My dad gives up so much of his free time for this company because he it’s not just his work, it’s his family. He wants there to be something for me and my cousins to profit off even after he’s gone and he is working so hard to build that for us.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I always knew my parents would be there for me. I knew if I could see them I was safe.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
So there was a lot of hate for the “Participation Trophy” when people starting doing that, and I did actually agree back then but I see it a bit differently now.
Every kid on the team should get a trophy at the end of the season. If you happen to win the championship you also get a ring. But every kid that showed up to each practice, showed up to each game, did their best every day to be a part of the team should get an award. You absolutely can give extra awards and acknowledgement to those that excelled and there is an age limit to this I think but for Elementary and even Middle School aged children that “participation trophy” might be the highlight of their life. It might just inspire them to try out for the team again next year, and practice even more , and one day they might be in the hall of fame but it all started with that little baseball resin they got at age 8 just for being on the team.
For some kids it might be really difficult to play the sport or socialize or be active, everyone has their own struggles but if they are able to keep showing up and putting in the effort all season long and they don’t quit, I think they should get a little something to say “Hey good job, you stuck with it and I’m proud of you for not giving up!”
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
There was a time at the very beginning where I felt so blessed to be working at All American Specialties. I had gone to college for Marketing Management but I could not get a job at a marketing firm, the job listings online would turn out to be fake, or not the job they seemed to be. So after about 3 years of trying to get a “real” job my dad offered to have me do some marketing for the shop part time. I started with just social media posts and email blasts but eventually when my dad saw that what I was doing was a producing some results he agreed to let me do even more. I went to local schools and spoke with students about awards and how it made them feel and asked them some questions to get insight into what award would be most effective in inspiring students and the results were eye opening!
I was planning public events and finding ways to give back to the community, it was so exciting and never boring or dull. I truly love marketing especially for a company that means so much to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allamericanspecialties.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all_american_specialties/
- Twitter: https://x.com/allamericanspec
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllAmericanSpecialtiesInc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allamericanspecialties
