Meet Andréa Williams

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andréa Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andréa , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

People have different opinions about what success looks like. If someone wins, people believe that that person is a success. I believe that there is success in failure and making mistakes. Anytime that a person or organization can learn from their failures and mistakes is a time when you see a person or organization that is accountable and wants to survive. As an individual, success begins in the mindset. You are exactly who you think you are and who you think you are not. I learned to be effective through trial and error. Lessons learned. With nearly 14 years in the military, I learned the value of short and long term planning, identifying goals and objectives, practice/dry run, execution, and feedback. That cycle produced effectiveness which bore success.

I don’t focus on being the only one in the room that looks like me. I focus on the mission and the plan to accomplish the mission. My mission is bigger than me, therefore, it is important that I continue training, learning, adapting, and overcoming so that I can give my students and clients the best of me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I own Silhouettes Personal Safety & Defense Academy (Silhouettes Firearms Training), located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, south of Fayetteville and the historic Fort Liberty military installation (formerly Fort Bragg). I am the lead firearm instructor and personal safety consultant.

Silhouettes Personal Safety & Defense Academy is a defensive training facility that uses a holistic approach to traditional and innovative training aids and modules. It aims to give its students a robust learning experience. From safety workshops to firearms training, I help my students, clients, and community members consider their safety and make informed decisions about the protective tools they choose for themselves.

As a U.S. Army veteran, I understand the value of training and knowing, caring for, and trusting your equipment. Equally important is my desire to consistently work on developing myself as a student, shooter, instructor, and business owner.

My passion, professionalism, and intuition have allowed me to collaborate with and learn from some of the best training counselors and instructors in today’s firearms training industry.

I also started a movement called “The Bang in Her Bag.” When we think about the bag, we define the bag as money, a designer purse, or an opportunity. We chase the bag, secure the bag, and, in some instances, fumble the bag. I believe the bag is you (the woman)–how we carry so much weight on us. The bang is your light, your drive, your intellect. The Bang In Her Bag is a set of programs designed to re-awaken the warrior in you. This liberating movement focuses on wellness, safety, and channeling your inner power.

The Bang in Her Bag also has a dedicated Facebook group and podcast to help keep our audience informed, engaged, and empowered in the name of safety.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, my authenticity has been the most impactful quality. I am a wife, mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, and good friend. Like many of the readers, I’m trying to figure it out and be the best version of myself daily. My life experiences make me passionate about what I do, and I strive to ensure that her students and clients get the best of me and my team. People can feel my passion for this line of work and my seriousness to ensure a memorable and positive experience. An overlooked quality that I have is my ability to lead and follow. I am the teacher and the student. While I study and am dedicated to my craft in the firearms training industry, I don’t know it all and don’t pretend to. I lead with integrity.

My advice to people early in this journey is to have a plan. Write it down and make it plain. Have a trusted circle that you can speak to and learn from. Get business mentors who can help you to navigate your journey as an entrepreneur. Also, don’t get discouraged when things are not going the way that you envisioned. Pivot. Collaborate. Take breaks. But don’t give up on yourself or your dream. If you are not confident in your product or services, the consumer won’t be either. Be bold and be yourself. This is not a sprint. It’s a marathon.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I would love to partner or collaborate with individuals, groups, businesses, or organizations that want to host safety workshops, personal defense classes, firearms training, or empowerment seminars. I am a public speaker and would love the opportunity to speak to audiences near and far. My personal mission is for people to reconsider their daily security practices and enhance their situational awareness without fear-mongering. With proper planning and accommodations, I will travel. Whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid, the sky is the limit.

The Silhouettes website is www.silhouettesnc.com. Andréa can be reached at [email protected]. Her business phone number is 910-403-2279.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Emma Burcusel
Military Women’s Memorial Award Ceremony: Picture at podium, photo credit Kaptured by Kasper Photography
Picture sitting on seat with firearm: Photo credit ADJ Media

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