Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel C. Williams.
Hi Ariel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, I was captivated by storytelling and creating worlds. I would draw, color, make things, imagine, and write short stories inspired by cartoons and the realities I wanted to live. As a grown woman, I am still equally fascinated by building and creating things to help people. I’ve started or contributed to endless projects, brands, or businesses that allowed me to generate ideas and think creatively and freely. So, despite believing this was weird or silly growing up, I’ve always been this way! That restlessness motivated me to document my cooking escapades, advertise writing and media services, and promote my handmade body care products today.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not! It has taken me a long time to be comfortable with myself, how I show up creatively, and how my brain works. Again, I believed how I operated was wrong because it differed from the norm. I understand now that I need to connect and grow with like-minded people. But those limiting beliefs caused me to shrink in my creative efforts and businesses and ultimately stop altogether. That was one of the greatest struggles I’ve had to overcome. Additionally, black women are the most educated and immediate starters of businesses, yet we lack funding the most. It is noble to say that we start businesses because it feels good, but truthfully, many do this out of necessity. I lost my job seven months ago, which has made me reevaluate and restart my businesses from the ground up. Though I’ve been in the game for years, I’m just getting started. I am learning about capital opportunities for businesses like mine and how to diversify income streams, as consistent income is also a pain point.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
God blessed us with gifts and talents; we should express them and use them to bless others. I specialize in making people feel good about themselves and seeing their ideas through (if they aren’t harmful to others). Building community and the ability to understand one another is critical, so I keep this at the forefront of everything I do. I am a storyteller, creative copywriter, author, events enthusiast, and product maker. I live and breathe ideas! I have a BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment (Full Sail), a Media Communications Graduate Certificate (Full Sail), and an AA in Sociology (Santa Fe College). I also teach journaling and writing workshops virtually, 1:1, and in small businesses in my city.
My primary business, Danzy Media Group (formerly Danzy Bird & Co.), is a digital media agency specializing in creative writing, copy editing, and content marketing services. With a passion for storytelling at our core, we craft compelling narratives for brands, businesses, and books, ensuring your message resonates across diverse platforms. Since 2016, we’ve prioritized client needs, refining our expertise in persuasive copywriting, publishing, and user-friendly website creation to effectively showcase the heart of our client’s brands and attract their target audience. We love validating our clients’ stories with affirmation and understanding and using our decades of writing experience to bring them to life. www.danzymediagroup.com
Resident Sis is a lifestyle brand tailored for millennial women seeking empowerment, well-being, and indulgent self-care experiences. We hand-make and curate a collection of organic, toxic-free body care products, journals, and events designed to uplift and inspire healing and self-love. www.residentsis.com
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Visions and perspectives! I am gifted at seeing unplanned ideas and concepts in my mind as if they were lying before me. As they are revealed in my mind, I hear strategy and planning whispers – how to start, who to collaborate with, what to do first, target customers, possible outcomes, ways to diversify, marketing ideas, etc. I get so excited about consulting those with big ideas who question if it’s doable. My first response is always, “Yes, you can do this!” Then God tells me what to say to them or what they should think about first. The process feels like I’m floating on air. This year, I am challenging myself to do this for me with the same level of ease and no self-doubt.
Pricing:
- My interactive journal, Self-Love for the Soul, is $20.
- Body scrubs, butters, and oils range from $16-48.
- Soaps and bath bombs range from $8-16.
- (Some) introductory copywriting and media rates start from $200. Please inquire within!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/arielcwilliams
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariel_cwilliams
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielcwilliams/
Image Credits
Ryoanné Nichole
