An Inspired Chat with Dr. Shelly Shell Williams of Wynnefield

Dr. Shelly Shell Williams shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Shelly Shell, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Great question! Now, if I said no, people might think I lack confidence, and we can’t have that! 😄 But the truth is, the clients we serve are often the us we used to be before we invested in the right coaches and developed the systems that changed everything.

So yes, I would absolutely hire myself in a heartbeat!

When I show up, I light up the room. I bring creativity, excellence, and a little sparkle to everything I do. I’m about making things happen and having fun while doing it. I’m dependable, driven, and I believe in pouring purpose into every project.

I’m the kind of person who wants everyone around me to win because when one of us shines, we all shine.

So yes, I’d hire me, every single time. Because I show up ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to go above and beyond because I love what I do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve always struggled with this question because, honestly, to know me is to love me. I’m a child of God first, and everything I do flows from that foundation.

I had the absolute dopest time living in the late 90s back when the music business was pure fun, full of creativity, and before the algorithms of social media changed the game. I started as an intern and worked my way up to Executive Producer of Urban X-pressions, a music video show that aired on WGTW TV 48 — a station owned by the history-making Dorothy E. Brunson, the first African American woman in the nation to own a TV station. Dorothy paved the way for women like Oprah Winfrey, and her example showed me that purpose and perseverance can change generations.

We were there at the beginning of the debut of artists like Jay-Z in 1996 and Destiny’s Child in 1998, who, as we all know, went on to become billionaires and continue to stay relevant. When I spoke to the youth earlier this year, I mentioned some of the artists we aired on our show. Most of them didn’t recognize the names, but a few did, and that moment stuck with me. The only reason they knew those artists was because their parents passed that music down. And that’s exactly how our stories must be told, shared, passed forward, and remembered.

We all have a story. I just told a part of mine, but it’s not just about me; it’s about the importance of legacy. Generations may forget if we don’t remind them. That’s why I do what I do. We have to tell the stories so that people know who Dorothy Brunson was, who Kangol Kid was, and who Dr. Shelly Shell Williams is, and most importantly, who they are through me.

That’s my purpose: helping people write their best-selling book based on their knowledge, expertise, and legacy. Through my Be R.I.C.H. Best Seller Program and Monetize Your Bestseller Community, I help 9-to-5 professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs turn their knowledge into something that grows a book, a brand, and a legacy.

Because in the end, it’s not just about writing a book, it’s about writing your becoming. It’s about making sure your story, your voice, and your purpose live beyond you. And that’s exactly what I help people do.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to stay in the background. My childhood hurts kept me from fully showing up until I was an adult. I let fear and insecurity tell me I wasn’t enough. I limited myself because of my weight. I thought I had to look a certain way to be seen, to be chosen, or to belong.

But deep down, I always had the desire to dance, act, and stand on stages; I didn’t want to risk being teased. So, I dimmed my own light.

But not anymore. My gifts have made room for me, just like God promised. I’ve learned that purpose doesn’t need permission. I don’t have to fit the world’s idea of what “ready” looks like; I just have to show up as who God created me to be. Now I walk boldly, fully, and freely because I know my light was never meant to hide.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Whew… that’s a question I’ve really been talking to God about lately, asking Him to help me unpack those feelings. Not many people would understand what it’s like to have one of the most popular shows in Philly — Urban X-pressions — and to experience the kind of access we had.

I do miss it. I miss the invitations, the backstage access, and interviewing the artists. I miss walking through those doors, feeling the excitement, and being part of something that moved culture. It wasn’t just about celebrity; it was about the energy, the creativity, and the community. We were like a family. Now, many of us are spread out, and instead of being backstage, I’m watching the moments unfold through social media clips.

And if I’m being completely honest… I also miss the husband and children I never had. I poured so much of myself into my purpose and my career that I didn’t create space for that chapter. I don’t carry regret, but I do recognize the sacrifices that came with chasing the dream.

So yes, I miss the access, the connection, and the community we built, but I’m grateful, too. Because I realize now that maybe this season isn’t about being backstage… It’s about helping others take the stage.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I truly admire Dr. David D. Simons, the CEO of Kingdom Social Media. I have the honor of serving as the Head of Content for KSM, and what stands out most about David isn’t just his leadership; it’s his character.

He’s a true man of God, kind, caring, humble, and intentional. He leads with care, unity, and purpose, always focused on helping others win. He doesn’t just talk about building people; he actually does it. His leadership style makes you feel seen, supported, and valued not just as part of the team but as part of a family.

There was a season when I didn’t fully believe in myself, and I’ll never forget that I borrowed his belief. That’s the kind of leader he is. He doesn’t lead from ego; he leads by example.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m not doing what I was told to do, I’m doing what I was born to do. My mom believed in the safe path: college, job, retirement. But God called me to something different. Entrepreneurship wasn’t my plan — it was His. And I’ve learned that when you follow God’s call, the path may not be safe, but it’s always sure.

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Image Credits
Will Nelson of Fresheyez Entertainment

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