We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lanny Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lanny, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

It started as just an idea — one of those late-night thoughts that hits you when you’re scrolling through Instagram, frustrated that there wasn’t a space where men could really talk fashion. Not just about the brands or the trends, but about personal style, confidence, and the culture behind what we wear. I knew I wanted to build something — a community or a brand — but I had no clue where to start.

After pondering my thoughts so many times, I started writing things down. Everything. What I wanted the vibe to be. What made it different. Was it a fashion blog? A brand? A digital community? I wasn’t sure yet. But I knew it had to be rooted in authenticity — a place where men could explore fashion without pretense.

I spent more time just researching — diving deep into fashion communities, successful brands, failed ones too. I studied how they launched, how they spoke, how they built loyalty. I looked into platforms: Should it be on Instagram? Discord? A website? Eventually, I realized I needed to start small. Just start.

So I made a name. Designed a logo. Wrote a mission statement. It felt real for the first time. Then I launched a basic Instagram page and invited a few friends. I posted consistently — curated looks, breakdowns of style icons, mood boards, even some outfit breakdowns of my own. I reached out to other style pages, engaged in comments, slowly built a following.

Behind the scenes, I am building more — setting up an email list, learning how to build a website, figuring out if I wanted to sell something down the line: merch, a digital guide, maybe even do styling sessions.

It wasn’t perfect. Some weeks I questioned if anyone even cared. But month after month, things picked up.

Looking back, the key was momentum. I didn’t wait until it was perfect. I just moved. One step at a time. Idea. Vision. Name. Branding. Platform. Content. Community. Execution.

And that’s how it all began.

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.

From a young age, I always knew I was destined to be different. Not in an arrogant way — just in that quiet, unshakable feeling that I wasn’t here to blend in. Fashion became the outlet where that feeling came to life.

High school is really where it all started to take shape. While most people were trying to fit in, I was figuring out how to stand out — not to be loud, but to be intentional. I started playing with color, cuts, sneakers, textures, and putting things together in ways that felt true to me. I didn’t care what was “in” — I cared about what made me feel confident. Even then, I wasn’t interested in following trends. I wanted to set them.

As I got older, that passion only deepened. I starting professional runway modeling, After some years I started professional print modeling, and I felt more passionate about it. I began to realize that style isn’t just about clothes — it’s about identity, confidence, presence. The way you carry yourself. And I knew I wasn’t alone in feeling that. There were other guys out there who wanted to express themselves through fashion but didn’t have a space to talk about it, explore it, or evolve with it.

That’s when the idea hit me: what if I created that space? Something for the ones who get it. The ones who don’t just dress well — they think about fashion differently. That’s how Model Kings was born.

From the spark of that idea came the grind — naming it, shaping the vision, creating the content, building a community. And it’s still growing. But it all goes back to that kid in high school, the one who knew he was here to do something different — and do it with style.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

How I Built My Audience on Social Media (and What I’d Tell Anyone Starting Now)

Building my audience didn’t happen overnight — and it definitely wasn’t by accident. When I started, I didn’t have a blueprint or a big following. I had a vision, a sense of style, and the drive to show up consistently. That’s it. But that was enough to get started.

At first, I focused on being authentic. I posted what I liked, not just what was trending. I shared my fits, my thoughts, my inspiration — and I made sure everything I put out had a certain vibe and quality. I wasn’t just throwing content out there; I was building a brand.

Engagement is huge. I don’t just post and disappear. I replied to comments, tapped into other creators’ content, showed love in DMs, and built real relationships. That created trust and loyalty. People weren’t just following me — they were connecting with what I stood for.

I also studied what worked. I paid attention to which posts hit, what people responded to, and how timing, captions, and hashtags made a difference. But I never let the algorithm kill my creativity. I stayed true to my style and adjusted my strategy — not the other way around.

If you’re just starting out, here’s my advice:

Be consistent. You don’t need to post every single day, but show up regularly. Let people get used to your presence.

Be real. The more you your content is, the more it’ll resonate.

Know your lane. You don’t have to do everything. Focus on your vibe — whether it’s streetwear, luxury, minimal, or bold — and build on it.

Engage. Social media is social. Talk to your audience, support others, and build genuine connections.

Don’t give up when it’s slow. Growth takes time. If you’re passionate and consistent, the right people will find you.

My growth didn’t come from chasing clout. It came from showing up with purpose, curating content that reflected who I am, and staying tapped in with the culture. If you move with intention, your audience will find you.

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

Yes. I laugh as I think about this question — because the journey has been anything but easy.

When I stepped into the modeling world, I was already in my 40s. That alone made me feel like I was walking into a room I wasn’t invited to. It was intimidating, watching my competition — most of them half my age — move through the industry like they were born for it. I knew I had to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged, that I could stand toe-to-toe with the best of them.

In the beginning, I was my own worst critic. Every small mistake, every missed opportunity — I carried it heavily. I doubted myself constantly. I watched how other male models received more attention, more praise, more opportunities, and I couldn’t help but question if I was enough. Some even told me directly: “You’re too mature,” or “Your body type doesn’t fit the image we’re looking for.”

And sure, I could’ve taken those words and let them define me. I could’ve walked away and said, “Maybe this isn’t for me.” But instead, I made a decision: those who couldn’t see my value were simply not meant to be part of my story. They were operating in lanes that weren’t built for me to drive in.

I’ve learned something deeply important on this journey — when one door closes, don’t waste your time banging on it. Go down the street. There’s another door waiting for you, and that one will open wide without resistance. That one will recognize your worth.

What I bring to the table now took time to build. Confidence, presence, wisdom — none of that happens overnight. I thrive in who I’ve become. I no longer seek validation in comparison. I’m grounded in who I am and clear about what I represent.

And that? That’s my superpower.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: modelkings_
• Facebook: Lanny Williams

Image Credits

Yesdnilco Captures Arts
Dominic Dionne Photos
Sharp Shooter Photography