We were lucky to catch up with Shameka Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shameka , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by accepting and acknowledging the small, but good things in life. Instead of focusing on all of the negativity around me, I aimed to find the positive things that make me appreciate life a little more. I was taught to trust myself, talk to myself in a nice encouraging way, and treat myself with love and respect at a very early age; that I am worthy, and most importantly love the skin that I am in. Those things were instilled in me. Even times when I felt less confident, I was still kind to myself. We can be our own worst critic! Nevertheless, I am a risk taker, a go getter, and I feel as though effort alone builds confidence; not to mention the outcome. I’ve learned that setting realistic goals for myself and actually executing those goals is a major confidence booster.
Sometimes we must challenge ourselves, our negative thinking, and adjust our beliefs. Try a different approach! My confidence and self-esteem represent how much I value myself, everything I’ve accomplished, and ALL that has yet to be accomplished.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the CEO of Fashion Palette, LLC, an online boutique, which launched on my birthday, June 10, 2021. I am also a Regional HR Generalist for a major fencing company. I am still in the corporate world; however, I look forward to opening my very own brick & mortar someday soon for the online customers that has shopped with Fashion Palette throughout the years. My inspiration came from my love for fashion, and the ten plus years of working in retail management. While managing one of the national fashion retailers I learned so much about merchandising, inventory control, quality sourcing, and retail strategy. I enjoyed advertising different looks and styles on mannequins just so customers would buy the entire look. My eye for coordinating outfits was effortless, and of course it kept the customers coming back. The feeling that overcame me to see another satisfied customer was priceless! Let’s just say I have a niche for fashion, and I knew I would be able to do this on my own.
Although I was very good at my job, I started to feel complacent in my career and needed a change. Scared out of my mind, but yet determined, I left retail management all together with no direction whatsoever. I took a mental break from the workforce for almost a year before I dived back in. After trying a few professions such as banking, customer service, and even a sold cars for Ford; I knew none of those were my calling. I was so unhappy and felt as though my back was up against the wall, so I enrolled in college to obtain a degree in business management. I was then working for a temporary company as an HR Representative at a million-dollar company. It hit me…DING!! I found my career, I absolutely loved Human Resources. After being there for almost a year, I was finally offered a permanent role for another major worldwide company as a HR Specialist while maintaining evening classes in college. All within that time, I am completing my business plan so that I can finally bring Fashion Palette to life. I was very diligent.
Then BOOM, COVID takes over! So many things changed, my evening classes went to online only which was a challenge for me at first. I used my quarantine time wisely by doing lots of research, obtaining licenses, certifications, etc. so that I can launch Fashion Palette by my birthday 2021, in which I did! I then graduated from college and left my employer at the time for a better position and pay. I felt like it was time, the degree that I worked so hard for proved that! I have been with the company since, excelling and growing.
The launching of Fashion Palette was one of my greatest accomplishments besides finishing college. I was so excited that my dream had finally come true. Everything was funded straight from my pocket, with no help from financial sources by the way. When I created the name, I imagined a palette of different fashion genres instead of a makeup palette. Fashion Palette’s purpose is to provide chic, trendy, affordable fashion to all shapes and sizes; to simply inspire women to feel beautiful, empowered, and confident about herself. Our online boutique will continue to cater to your fashion needs. We offer quality apparel, Afterpay, and fast & secure shipping anywhere in the U.S.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful to me in my journey are: the solid experience and knowledge of understanding store operations, the skill to provide exceptional customer service, and the knowledge obtained when earning a business degree. There are a lot of useful tools to learn when running a business.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle that I am currently facing is gaining visibility and attracting customers. My biggest challenge has been balancing my corporate roll with the online boutique. I have been working to overcome this obstacle by more advertising on social sites, more email campaigns, and more promoting. I will also have more participation in pop-up events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fashionpaletteshop.com
- Instagram: fashion_palettellc
- Facebook: Fashion Palette
