We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Antonia Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Antonia below.
Antonia, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It took some wandering before I discovered my true purpose. I always seem to have a story to share, and here’s mine. One day in 2018, after returning home from my job at a daycare, I felt a deep sense of sadness and unfulfillment. Two years out of college, I was working as a lead teacher, thanks to my degree in birth through kindergarten education, but I sensed there was so much more to life waiting for me. I longed for a job that truly fulfilled me. That day, I decided to talk to God about my feelings. I paced in my living room, praying earnestly for Him to reveal my purpose. I cried and pleaded for guidance.
However, it seemed like my life took a turn for the worse after that day. It wasn’t until recently that I understood this decline stemmed from my impatience and disobedience. I had asked for God’s help and clarity, but when it felt like He was taking too long, I started taking matters into my own hands, making reckless choices. This led to losing two cars, working minimum wage jobs that left some bills unpaid for months, and battling constant anxiety and depression—leaving me with a life that felt unfulfilled.
In 2023, I rededicated my life to God, and that’s when He began to reveal my purpose. It was only when I earnestly sought the Lord that I began to understand who I was meant to be and the greatness within me. This year, I launched my digital media marketing platform, Toni Talks, with the vision, “To ignite the spark in creative souls to dance boldly in their calling!” I’ve always felt different and rarely fit in, and I’ve come to realize that my purpose lies in that uniqueness. Through prayer and submission to God, I found my purpose. He unveiled both my strengths and weaknesses, continually transforming me into something beautiful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am Antonia Williams, a Communications Maven with a passion for amplifying voices, fostering collaboration, and sharing bold, faith-rooted stories. Through Toni Talks, I spotlight creatives and Black-owned businesses, equipping them with innovative tools and inspiration to make their mark and live out their purpose.
Right now, my focus is on story-telling and building authentic connections with everyone I encounter and those who engage with my content. I aim for everything I create and share to carry meaning and inspire others. I recently completed the first season of my podcast, Toni Talks, and I am currently taking a step back from social media to reimagine the vision for season two. I want this next season to be fresh, different, and a true reflection of who I am. My aim is to bring together all my skills and passions, including my love for fashion and my appreciation for various eras, to shape my branding style. I also want to incorporate what I’ve learned throughout my graduate program, leveraging that knowledge to add more value to my content and deepen my engagement with my audience.
Ultimately, I want to connect through my art and inspire others to live boldly in their purpose.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are the ability to learn from others, self-determination, and authenticity.
I’ve always been open to learning and have never felt the need to present myself as a know-it-all. I thrive in environments where I can surround myself with people who know more than me because their knowledge challenges and elevates me. For those early in their journey, I would say: be curious and stay humble. Seek out mentors, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. Growth happens when you allow yourself to be a student of life.
Growing up, I didn’t have a roadmap or guidance on navigating things like college applications or career opportunities. My self-determination is what pushed me to figure things out and pursue my goals despite the obstacles. To those just starting out, my advice is to cultivate your inner drive. Don’t wait for someone else to open doors for you—be proactive and take steps toward your goals, even when the path isn’t clear.
When I was younger, I often struggled with being different because I wanted so badly to fit in. Over time, I realized that my authenticity is my superpower—it’s what sets me apart and allows me to connect with others in a meaningful way. My advice here is simple: embrace who you are. Don’t water yourself down to fit into a mold. The world needs your unique perspective, and the more you lean into your true self, the more you’ll attract the right opportunities and people into your life.
Each of these qualities has shaped my journey, and I believe they can be transformative for anyone willing to cultivate them.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest obstacle I’m currently facing is staying focused on one thing at a time. My mind is constantly overflowing with ideas and possibilities, which can become overwhelming because I want to bring all of them to life. This often becomes a challenge, especially when some of my ideas feel so ambitious that they seem out of reach, making it hard to take the first step.
To overcome this, I start by turning to my faith—I pray and talk to God about it. Then, I grab my notebook and write down all my thoughts and ideas, creating a plan for the ones I can pursue right now. If an idea isn’t achievable in the moment, I don’t let it discourage me. I save it for the future, trusting that if it came to me, the time will come when I can make it happen. This process helps me stay grounded, organized, and motivated to move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toni-talks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tonitalks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antonia.williams.351
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonitalks/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@_tonitalks
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Jas @thegirlfromlot17
Additional Photos:
2nd Photo: Jas @thegirlfromlot17
3rd Photo: Lawrence Jones @bylawphotoz
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