Shaq Williams is a symbol of female empowerment and is all about keeping it real in her content. Aside from her well known Instagram account @shaq_will Shaq is also the founder of thebridehive.com and a Certified Public Accountant that’s about to launch her own fashion line.

 

Tell us what are the first 3 things you do when you wake up?

I start my day with meditation, I read motivational/inspirational quotes and cuddle with my two Yorkies.

If you could take one person with you anywhere, who would that be? Where would you go?


If I could take one person anywhere it would be my husband, Drew. We agreed to travel and explore the world together, and we still have so many places to experience. Next, I would love to travel to Australia or Europe.

What accounts do you follow for personal inspiration?

I follow so many amazing people, one of my favorites is @FeNoel, she’s a fashion designer based out of Brooklyn and also a good friend of mine. Watching her brand evolve for the past several years has been an inspiration for me. She has so much drive and creativity, I can’t wait to see her brand continue to excel.

@Kyrzayda_ is one of the first bloggers I started following. She’s an open book, and such a resilient person. Her strength alone is a major inspiration, and I respect how she shares every stage of her life. It’s admirable to allow people to see your ups and your downs, and so rare. She’s such a gem.

What message do you want to convey to your followers?

As women, we have to strive to be the best version of ourselves and stay true to who we are. Within social media (and throughout society) there is so much pressure placed on us to be someone that we aren’t. It’s so rare that we praise women for being themselves. Authentic, beautiful, confident, and embracing who we are at their core! Those things have real value.

 

Do you feel that content creators on social media are misrepresented or misunderstood?

I think that depends on the content. Sometimes we misrepresent ourselves in an image or a caption, and that’s obviously going to change people’s perceptions of us! I think social media is a platform that allows content creators to tell their story, and even though how we choose to do so may differ, we all have the same opportunity to make it unique, honest, and our own.

So far, what is the best experience you’ve had while working with a brand?

I haven’t actually had a lot of experience with brand collaborations, it’s important to me that I personally believe in what the brand represents. That’s how I keep it authentic, and how I stay honest with myself and my followers. For the few that I’ve worked with, it’s been great so far. I love the opportunity to dress up, attend girly events, and drink champagne in sundresses (I mean, who doesn’t)! And I’m lucky that I get to share that. I love working with @Tranzfit, a fitness brand created by my brother and my cousin. It’s an athleisure line that’s comfortable and fashionable in the gym and on the streets! Basically, any time I’m not all dolled-up, I’m in Tranzfit.

How do you think social media can elevate humanity?

By spreading the love! I think social media can elevate humanity by sharing more positivity. It’s increasingly common to see negative comments under pictures, and that’s just not OK. While I definitely believe that imperfections shouldn’t be hidden, I continue to see people quick to repost hatred and violence, rather than uplifting and encouraging one another.

 

As social media continues to grow, what do you consider the biggest challenge content creators will face?

Remaining relevant and unique will become more difficult as the platform grows. With all the constant trends, I think it’s tough for people to think outside of the box and stand out.

On and off of social media, how do you manage your life? Do you have any apps that you find especially helpful?

I’m always trying to find balance between my career and my personal life. The gym is my outlet. I love high-intensity interval training, yoga, running, cycling, meditating, and playing tennis with my husband. I like to spend time at the spa indulging in self-care. I love spending time with my family, friends and dogs. Most importantly, I take time to decompress, reflect on my personal goals and figure out how I’m going to achieve them. And of course, shopping somehow always puts me in a good mood! Here’s some of my fave apps:

  • Oprah & Deepak 21 day meditation app
  • Inscape
  • Nike Running App
  • ShopStyle
  • Fever
  • OpenTable
  • Rewardstyle
  • Amazon

Tell us something about you that your followers might find surprising.

I’m actually a Certified Public Accountant, and I do my own taxes 🙂 And although I’m proud of that accomplishment, the next stage of my life is about pursuing my passion for fashion. I’ve struggled with finding off-the-rack pieces that I don’t have to alter, as most women do. So about ten years ago, I bought myself a sewing machine and began making clothing that’s more suitable to my shape and style. Until this day, I get so overwhelmed with all the trends, that I just want to design and create something of my own and share it.