We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paula Whittle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paula below.

Paula, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

People are my mission. I believe that I’m not successful unless I help someone else become successful. My heart is with the community and it starts with building people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After being in the entertainment business for 24 years, I have managed to defy the impossible to become a legend in the city of Atlanta by creating my own fashion and entertainment powerhouse, the Atlanta International Fashion Week. AIFW was created as a centralized platform for aspiring designers and models. Then entered the concept of the Atlanta International Fashion Week, a vision of bridging the gap and connecting continents through fashion. In 2006, I made history as the first black woman to be a founder and director of an international fashion week with receiving two proclamations from the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia along with meeting with the State Department for international trade with 11 countries. Over my 17 year timespan, I have produced and directed over 250 shows, worked with over 500 designers, and produced 150 celebrity events. I have defied all odds while facing autoimmune disease and spinal issues which causes disability, but that doesn’t stop me from being a change agent. I’m a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, mentor, and developer. I mentor young girls in Atlanta through my nonprofit, Fashion Apprentice. My goal is to continue to make an impact in the community and abroad.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2018, I was paralyzed but through prayer and natural medicine I regained some motion. I never stopped my business nor the Atlanta International Fashion Week. I didn’t want to give up on the people that rely on the platform. I pushed through all of the therapies and even attended in a wheelchair. Even after the spinal injury, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease but I remain confident in my ability to continue the dream and fulfill the purpose.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

If you build it, they will come. If you create engaging content, the audience will come. We grew from consistency and great content creation. In addition to, unique marketing campaigns for engagement and build community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.atlantaintlfashionweek.com
• Instagram: @mogulpaula
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulawhittle
• Other: Other IG @atlfashionweek