We were lucky to catch up with Brini Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brini, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Being hired by HSN , a very notable home shopping network on television , was probably a career turn point , as well as a defining moment . I remember waking up early that morning , and heading into the studio. The client whose products I was modeling that day , called me on FaceTime and said “ Did you get the products in the mail ?”……I said NO THEY NEVER CAME!

What happened was , she had mailed me the products I would be modeling on set that day so that I could try them out , get a feel for how they worked , and could demo it seamlessly on live television for marketing purposes on the show . Even though she mailed them to me in time , which was about 7-10 days prior to the live show, I had never received them .

So 7am that morning , and the show was schedule for 10am….. she says “I have a few new ones in the box at the studio , Grab one , see how it works , and lets go through it together on FaceTime”. Well the battery was dead, so I had to charge the battery , while on FaceTime , and try to get this all settled and ready for live television . Around 9am she says to me , if you dont want to do this , I’ll pay you anyways because it totally isnt your fault that the products didn’t arrive on time . She said , “If you don’t feel comfortable I totally understand ;you havent had ample time to really work with the product , or get used to it; so tell me what you think and if you dont feel this is going to be beneficial , no worries .. you dont have to go on live tv.”

My whole entire career flashed before me in that moment lol. Here I am with a brand spanking new product & my first opportunity to be on live television, and I didn’t want to look like a complete fool. Or make my client who was so thoughtful look bad either. I told her , “I got it , I’m good!! ….. I’ll figure this out , give me a few minutes and if I need to call you back I will.”

In that moment , I thought about the grand ability to be who I’ve always wanted to be -a MODEL. Although there was room for excuses and even an excuse to get out of it , I wanted to show her , and prove to myself that even when the odds are against me , I am able to deliver. This was critical to me , to take the last few minutes to get this product functioning , do it at a high performance , and practice in the mirror what I’m going to look like on live tv….. My job was simply to be able to get customers to WANT TO BUY this product. I couldnt let myself , neither my client down.

It was like —— are you going to make excuses throughout your career and back down when given the opportunity? Or are you going to take these moment to prove that WHEN YOU HIRE ME , YOU ARE HIRING A PROFESSIONAL, AND A CRITICAL THINKER WHO CAN THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX WITHOUT A BUNCH OF BABYSITTING and/or complaints .

Within 30 minutes I had my execution down pat. I knew what moves to make , what I was going to look like on camera, and how to make this seem like this is the best thing smokin’…..LOL

Needless to say , I showed up!! When that camera man said “ROLLING”… I was ready to go! And I did an amazing job , even though I only had about 2 hours or less of practice. That moment defined me as a pursuer, a dream chaser, and a person who looks beyond the check.

I could have taken the money and walked away , but I wanted to be trusted … I wanted my future clients to look back on this moment , or even if my name was ever being considered for future jobs , I wanted to be known as someone they could count on. That was a huge defining moment in my career. Like make it or break it . It was risky but the few moments I had to prepare, I used every second of them wisely .

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My name is Brini Williams , I am a professional model. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot some amazing commercials , even work with Disney a few times, Ron Jon, do some work for Warner Brothers … and more!

I got into modeling about a year after my kids father , my husband , passed away . I took some time to really settle in what was “life”now……. How everything has affected my being , my thoughts , my children …..I took a leap of faith , and decided that life is wayyy too short to not do whatever it is that you really truly desire. So I moved out of my hometown and decided to fully pursue modeling. I figured if I was going to quit nursing , and chase another career… I’m going to give it all or nothing . So I worked very very very hard, and 9 mths later …. I got signed with an agency , and life’s been keeping me busy every since!

I would say what sets me apart from others is that my pain fuels my passion , and my children keep me chasing the dream . I know that I am all they have to depend on. I know that I cannot change some of our circumstances , but there is an opportunity to make life amazing for them and make a decent amount of income to take them to Water Parks , to travel all over the world , and maybe get a toy or 2 sometimes LOL . Our situation is tough , But there are other moms and even some dads who have lost the other parent. Mentally , some people just honestly dont recover well. And I truly understand that point of view.

It’s hard to wake up everyday and do this alone -forcefully . Attend basketball practices, cook dinner, do homework , spend time with each kid, take time for yourself (if you can), run here , run there , do this do that … parent conferences , financial struggles , the list could go on and on …… it takes a bunch of leaning on God , and even then …. It still is a feeling of almost being lost , or trying to find your way from here.

But I work very hard , and one thing I am teaching them is that if you really want something , no one is going to hand it to you. You have to work hard! You have to take the lemons life gives you and make something with it . You can make lemon pound cake , lemonade , or even some lemon cookies .But whatever you do ; when it is a situation you can’t change, you have to do the best you can to make the best out of it.

If there is one thing about me , I’m very optimistic and valiant. I’m focused, I’m organized and I study a lot. I read a lot . I am after authenticity and pureness. I want my name to carry dignity with it , trust , confidence , and a love for Gods people. My brand should incorporate the momlife, the entrepreneur journey with children , the love I have for God , the family fun days , the messy hair and sweat pant airplane rides. I’m completely me!! I don’t have to look like an instagram model all the time , I don’t wake up with my breath smelling like roses and Lilly’s . I’m standing in the gap for the tired parents that will not give up , for the parents that sometimes have the energy for a beach day , with wellness and mental health in mind because some days I do choose Chinese over groceries at home , or a nice spa massage when I should really be doing laundry. My work will reflect my life. My determination and persistence . My brand is about my lifestyle , my love for fashion and taking pictures , and the beautiful sunlight that im able to wake up and see each and every morning . Each new day , I have another opportunity to make the best of it and hopefully learn something new.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Growing up, I was always interested when I saw an ambulance speeding by to go help someone , or just wondering what it was like working with the elderly. I even called the hospital director one day and asked could I shadow their autopsy staff. They actually said yes!! LOL . I’m very interested in medical stuff .

So nursing and helping people , was truly an interest of mine. BUT , I would rather be in an doctors office doing a check up or assisting with a small procedure , rather than giving CPR in an emergency situation. I don’t like the trauma part of it , but I’m interested in some of it.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I don’t have a huge team , my now 10 year old son is my photographer ,but he started when he was 6— thats when his dad passed away and he kind of vowed to help mommy take pictures . My mom and dad though are a big part of my tribe/ team because they do the babysitting , with my two little ones. And gosh! How could I work without a sitter . SO I guess I have a mini team as of now!!

But my son , Dylan , is truly is a big part of my team. He helps with my auditions , setting up my in-home studio and the lights and camera. He is my assistant when I have to go out of town and work , he helps carry my ironed clothing , and helps sort things out in the car , etc. The main advice I can give is to let them know how important they are to you . I tell him all the time , mommy couldn’t do this without you , I appreciate you for helping me and being a big part of my business.

When it comes to maintaining a high morale, There are some jobs I won’t take , I won’t do any smoking ads, or things that advertise homosexuality . Only because thats not who I am , nor what my brand stands for . Whatever I do , it needs to be in alignment with my beliefs and my walk with God. I don’t have anything against those who do those types of work , because I am not their ultimate judge. I even have a really good friend , that I love dearly who does partake in various lifestyles: but my integrity and sticking to who I am is more important to me than a check . I don’t want to undercut someone , take from anyone , try to be conniving , any of that. I want to be trusted and be true. At the end of the day , I’m after Gods approval , not mans …… so I need to stick to who I am at all cost and keep my ethical beliefs in line with my career goals.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Briniwilliams
• Facebook: Briniwilliams