We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Neffeteria Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Neffeteria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The idea for Pretty Girls Poppin’ came to me during a deeply personal journey, inspired by my daughter Ne’ Lani. I saw her struggle with self-esteem and confidence, and it brought back memories of my own challenges growing up. Ne’ Lani was dealing with a lot—being unsure of herself, feeling pressure from peers, and battling self-doubt. It hurt to see someone so young and full of potential feeling like she wasn’t enough. I knew I had to do something, not only for her but for other young girls who may be facing similar struggles.
The emotions behind the birth of Pretty Girls Poppin’ were a mix of empathy, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. I wanted to create something that would uplift girls, teach them to embrace their unique qualities, and give them the tools to build confidence from within. The club’s foundation is built on the idea that every girl is already extraordinary—she just needs to see it, feel it, and live it. This concept, of building confidence from the ground up, felt both deeply personal and absolutely necessary.
I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because I saw a gap that needed to be filled. Many programs focus on external achievements, but few emphasize the importance of inner confidence, self-love, and sisterhood in such a hands-on, fun way. The logic was simple: if we can help these young girls see their worth early on, we could change the trajectory of their lives. It wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about creating a movement of empowered young women who can support one another as they grow.
What excited me most was the potential impact. This wasn’t just about teaching girls to be confident; it was about giving them a community where they could thrive, connect, and uplift each other. The idea of Pretty Girls Poppin’ was unique because it combined sisterhood, personal growth, and community service in a way that I hadn’t seen before. It’s one thing to tell young girls they are powerful—it’s another to show them, teach them, and celebrate them through programs that cater to their emotional, social, and developmental needs. That’s what Pretty Girls Poppin’ is all about: poppin the confidence of young girls all around the world, one affirmation at a time.
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.
Absolutely! My name is Neffeteria, and I wear many hats—entrepreneur, mentor, Mother-Daughter coach, and founder of several businesses and organizations focused on empowerment and personal development. My journey into this work is rooted in my own life experiences and a deep desire to uplift others, especially women and girls. I’ve always had a passion for helping people realize their worth and potential, and over time, I channeled that passion into creating safe spaces and supportive programs where women and girls could thrive.
I got into this industry through a combination of personal growth, mentorship, and my role as a Mom Mentor Coordinator at Children’s Network of SWFL. I saw firsthand the impact that positive family dynamics, mentorship, and self-esteem could have on children, particularly young girls. Those experiences, along with the challenges I faced growing up, shaped my vision for Pretty Girls Poppin’, a confidence-building club for girls ages 5-18, and other ventures such as Evolving Generations Inc., which focuses on creating intergenerational bonds among women and Evolving Impressions, my Mother-Daughter coaching business.
What We Offer:
Pretty Girls Poppin’ provides a range of products and services, from confidence-building programs and affirmations to hands-on workshops where girls create self-esteem-boosting products like lip gloss. We also have community engagement initiatives and partner with local organizations to foster leadership, sisterhood, and empowerment. Through our structured programs, girls learn about self-love, bullying prevention, affirmations, and leadership, culminating in annual celebrations like our Glam Bash.
Problems We Solve:
The core issue we address is the lack of confidence many girls experience during their formative years. Whether it’s due to societal pressures, bullying, or self-doubt, we help girls develop inner confidence, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills. We provide a unique space where girls are encouraged to embrace their authentic selves, connect with peers, and receive mentorship from women who’ve walked similar paths.
What Sets Us Apart:
What sets Pretty Girls Poppin’ apart is our focus on inner development rather than external achievements. Our programs prioritize emotional growth, self-worth, and a deep sense of community. We emphasize sisterhood, ensuring that each girl feels seen, heard, and valued. Our structured programs cater to different age groups, providing age-appropriate activities and lessons that make the experience meaningful at every stage of growth. We celebrate each girl’s progress through milestone events like the Glam Bash, making sure their efforts are recognized and appreciated.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m incredibly proud of the transformation I see in the girls who come through Pretty Girls Poppin’. Watching them go from shy, unsure individuals to confident leaders who are not only empowered themselves but are empowering others is indescribable. I’m also proud of our partnerships, such as the one with the Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which brings an added layer of mentorship and sisterhood to our programs.
What I Want People to Know:
Above all, I want people to know that Pretty Girls Poppin’ is more than just a club—it’s a movement. We’re here to make a lasting impact, not just for the girls but for the communities they live in. Our programs are intentional, our mentorship is genuine, and our mission is to cultivate a generation of young women who know their worth and lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
For anyone looking to join us, whether as a participant, volunteer, or supporter, we welcome you with open arms. This work is personal to me, and I’m dedicated to ensuring that every girl who walks through our doors leaves knowing she’s powerful, unique, and capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The transition of Pretty Girls Poppin from an LLC to a 501c3 nonprofit was one of the most significant pivots in both my business and personal life. Initially, Pretty Girls Poppin started as a business with the intention of selling products that would inspire and empower young girls. While that mission was at the heart of what we did, I quickly realized that the impact I wanted to make was bigger than just selling products—it was about creating a community and fostering personal growth for these girls in a more profound, long-lasting way.
The pivot happened when I saw firsthand the need for more structured programs that addressed self-esteem, confidence building, and leadership in girls from underserved communities. We weren’t just selling products; we were changing lives, and the best way to scale that impact was to move from a business model to a nonprofit structure. By becoming a 501c3, we could access more resources, forge deeper partnerships, and serve a broader audience through donations and grants.
This transition wasn’t easy—it required a shift in mindset, business operations, and funding strategies. But the move allowed us to be more mission-driven and less focused on profitability, which was freeing. It meant we could put all our energy into creating the programs that these girls truly needed, without the pressure of balancing a for-profit business model.
Looking back, this pivot was absolutely the right decision. It allowed Pretty Girls Poppin to grow beyond its original scope, evolve into a movement, and become a safe haven for girls who needed a community of support. The transition to a nonprofit opened doors for partnerships with local organizations, expanded our reach, and ultimately brought our mission to life in ways I hadn’t imagined when we first started.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A major lesson I had to unlearn was letting go of rigid timelines and learning to embrace adaptability. When I first started Pretty Girls Poppin, and even with my other ventures, I had a clear timeline of how I thought things should progress. I had mapped out milestones—when we would launch, how quickly we would grow, and what success would look like at different stages. I was attached to the idea that if things didn’t go according to that plan, I was somehow failing.
The backstory really ties into the transition from Pretty Girls Poppin as an LLC to a nonprofit. I thought the business would take off quickly, and I’d be able to make an impact right away. But life had other plans. Growth was slower than I anticipated, and I faced challenges that I didn’t foresee—like understanding the nuances of nonprofit work, securing donors, and building sustainable programs that resonated with the girls and the community. I had to realize that meaningful, impactful work doesn’t always happen on a predetermined timeline.
Letting go of my rigid expectations was hard at first, but it allowed me to be more flexible and open to new opportunities. I learned to trust the process, to understand that delays and shifts in direction weren’t signs of failure, but rather opportunities for growth and refinement. In doing so, I became more patient and adaptable, which ultimately made Pretty Girls Poppin stronger. We were able to grow into a nonprofit that’s mission-driven, community-focused, and far more impactful than I had originally imagined.
This lesson of adaptability also spilled over into my personal life, especially with my entrepreneurial journey. I learned that it’s okay to pivot, to change timelines, and to give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. What matters most is staying true to the mission and being open to the lessons that come along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.prettygirlspoppin.org
- Instagram: pretty_girls_poppin
- Facebook: Pretty Girls Poppin
- Other: www.evolvingimpressions.com
www.evolvinggenerations.org
Image Credits
Neffeteria Williams