Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Williams.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natasha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I feel as if entrepreneurs have multiple beginnings but here it goes…
My passion for fashion grew from an incident I had when shopping with my mother as a teenager. I would often wear men’s clothing in designer trends because they never made junior designer clothes in plus sizes. I remember walking into a fitting room excited to shop at this particular store because they had trendy junior plus-size clothes. As I entered, a sales clerk ran after me telling me that I could not enter the fitting room because it was for girls only. I had short hair at the time because I have been challenged with trichotillomania since my childhood. Instead of asking first, this woman assumed I was a boy because a customer had complained. My mom knew my insecurities and her feelings were hurt for me. After she checked the sales clerk, we left. From that moment, I decided to change my style to a more feminine look so that no one would ever mistake me for a boy again. That’s when defining my personal style became relevant in my life.
Fast forward…
I studied graphic design in college because I feared that a plus-size woman would not make it far in the fashion industry during that time. After receiving my BFA in Graphic Design, I worked in corporate for a few years but noticed my passion for it had diminished. I wanted a fresh meaningful career where I could make a positive change in someone’s life. I needed to fulfill my philanthropic desire while doing something new. Fashion had always been a part of me since the fitting room incident, so I intertwined my two new passions: fashion & philanthropy.
I attended a conference in Chicago for fashion stylists of all sizes and I was so inspired by not only how stylish these women were but the confidence that exuded from each person. Before it ended, I was certain that I wanted to start a conference exclusive to plus-size women who deserved to feel as confident as the women I had encountered.
With no job, no money, no event planning experience— nothing but my skills from graphic design, I decided to build a conference and call it DREAM BIG (pun intended) because that’s what I needed to do to make it happen. It was a message to myself that I also wanted to share with others about believing in the impossible.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! Nothing worth having in life is ever easy. There will always be challenges throughout your process. It just takes strong faith and perseverance. I actually keep a list of my challenges so if I ever find that I have none, I know it means that I’m not growing in my purpose. Here are a few:
Challenge #1 occurred before I could even start. No one knew my name. I wasn’t a blogger, model, influencer— just a woman with a strong passion who decided to be the first to create this random curvy conference in Chicago. Why would people trust me or what I’m doing? Do I want to put myself out to the world? Can I handle being judged?
Challenge #2 – When researching what I thought was an original idea, I came across a similar conference in New York that was started by influencers with a large following. I felt discouraged thinking New York is the fashion mecca and there was no way people would attend my conference in a region that’s not prominent for fashion. My first year wanting to do this never occurred because I gave up on my vision and told myself I lost.
This is when having the right people in your life is crucial. They spoke life into me and wouldn’t let me give up the next year. My vision and mission (not of my company) became clearer. I took a chance without thinking of all the questions in challenge #1. Then, I met Jessica Milagros, who shared the same vision and walked with me through this journey. Things started miraculously falling in place. I knew I was headed in the right direction.
Challenge #3 – As with many aspiring entrepreneurs I didn’t have the finances to do anything. I had a vision and graphic design talents. It’s amazing what faith can really do. I’m a strong believer that God helps those who use the talents He gives us to get started, then leave the rest to Him. FAITH + PRAYER + ACTION = MIRACLES. Just start, persevere, and the rest will happen if it’s meant to be.
Challenge #4 – A continuous challenge: I didn’t know what it meant to run my own business/foundation. I am still taking time to learn. Mistakes will happen. Accept it.
Challenge #5 – Letting go and building a team that you trust will see your vision through.
Challenge #6 – Negativity… Being on the road to victory only to experience negative people, hundreds of opinions, and the fact that you cannot please everyone. Having a conference with multiple speakers can be very subjective. You’re held accountable for what others say. Then, there are the trolls. My answer: Discernment. You have to know that some things are not your battle to fight. Choose wisely.
DREAM BIG Midwest – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
DREAM BIG Midwest is the first conference in Chicago to build a social network exclusive to plus-size women in the Midwest region. We educate, empower, and connect fashion and beauty enthusiasts with national brands, agencies, influencers, and peers. We are the liaison between the aspiring curvy professional and the fashion industry.
Each curvy conference brings its own unique values, but what sets us apart is that we provide long-term opportunities and particularly for women in the Midwest. We partner with modeling and talent agencies who specifically scout plus-size women on the spot at our conference.
Our goal is to inspire women for their future while providing present opportunities during the conference. Last year, aspiring models had the opportunity to walk the runway for our fashion show sponsored by Macy’s. We became the first to partner with Macy’s on State Street for a fashion show featuring all plus-size women. One of our models was approached by a Macy’s representative on social media asking to use her photo for future advertising and promos.
Several women have been signed to modeling agencies including one of Chicago’s top curvy influencers. These accolades make us proud as an organization to know that we are empowering women, growing their confidence, and providing opportunities that aid in manifesting their dreams. Interactive workshops will be introduced at this year’s conference as well as throughout the year to hold women accountable in reaching their goals.
DREAM BIG is a social event established by The Curvy Express Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization where we promote body positivity and confidence. We currently partner with Columbia College Chicago (soon other colleges and universities) to provide resources for a curriculum focused on plus-size fashions. As a way to give back to our community, we have clothing drives for plus-size women, and we hold fashion career workshops. In the near future, we would like to have a program for high school students interested in fashion studies where scholarships can be offered.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I automatically think of the beginning— that first blind step and the moment you couldn’t turn back because you realize it just got real. Although, I do feel proud each time a woman approaches me to say, “Thank you” or “I can’t wait until next year.” I’ve had many days where I decided not to do the conference again, but someone would speak those words and immediately I felt encouraged to keep going. Knowing that someone was inspired so much that they took the time to thank me is a feeling you never forget. It lets me know that we have accomplished more than we could have ever imagined.
Contact Info:
- Website: twelve21network.com
- Email: natasha@twelve21network.com & info@twelve21network.com
- Instagram: @dreambigmidwest
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/dreambigmidwest
- Twitter: dreambigmidwest
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
