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

X’Zandria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Yes, I’ve often been misunderstood, especially around my quiet nature. Starting in 5th grade, I was told over and over that I needed to talk more, push myself out there, and be more extroverted to succeed. I tried to force myself into that lane, but it was not authentic to who I was. I ended up people pleasing, insecure, and drained from pretending to be someone I was not.

One New Year’s Eve, I remember crying after being hurt in yet another situation where I had overextended myself just to be accepted. Sitting with God that night, I admitted that I did not like who I was becoming and I asked Him for clarity. That was when I started to embrace my quietness instead of fighting it.

Over time, I realized my quietness is not a weakness, it is my strength. It allows me to listen deeply, discern carefully, and lead in a way that is true to who God created me to be. The biggest insight I’ve learned is that the very thing people criticize most about you is often tied to your purpose. For me, what others called “too quiet” has become the foundation of my leadership and my brand, Her Quiet Power.

X’Zandria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am X’Zandria Weil, the founder of Her Quiet Power, a faith-led brand created to show that confidence does not have to be loud to be real. My journey into this work began with my own story. Growing up quiet, I was often told that I needed to talk more or be more outgoing to succeed. For years, I tried to live in that mold, but it left me drained and insecure. Through prayer, therapy, and reflection, I realized that my quietness was not a weakness but a gift. That discovery became the foundation of Her Quiet Power.

Through my platform, I share creative works that blend style, storytelling, and faith. On YouTube (Her Quiet Power), I create lifestyle and faith-based content that encourages people to embrace who they are with peace and purpose. As an expert thrifter, I share outfit inspiration that shows how you can show up for yourself, express confidence through style, and “dress the part” without losing authenticity. I also host the Black Woman Going For It Podcast, where I speak honestly about faith, identity, and quiet resilience. Through my Substack newsletter, I offer faith-centered reflections and practical encouragement for readers who want to pause, reflect, and carry inspiration into their daily lives. And through my keynotes and workshops, I speak directly to the unseen, to those who do not yet know they are absolutely qualified, and to introverted Black women who are often overlooked, helping them embrace their quiet confidence and faith-driven resilience.

What sets me apart is that I do not ask people to change themselves to be seen. Instead, I highlight the strengths they already have, especially the ones they may have been told were “too much” or “not enough.” My work is not about me, but about creating ripple effects of confidence and joy.

What I am most proud of is turning what once felt like a limitation into a movement that helps others stand tall in their own quiet way. I want potential clients, followers, and collaborators to know that Her Quiet Power is a space where you are reminded that God created you as a masterpiece and that the very things that set you apart are the things that make you powerful.

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn, where I share reflections, speaking topics, and opportunities to collaborate.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

For me, it hasn’t been one big dramatic moment. It’s been a series of long seasons where nothing seemed to work. I tried so many things over the last 13 years: going back to school, starting businesses, doing hair, being a virtual assistant, even speaking. Each time I hoped, “maybe this is it.” And each time, it seemed like the door closed before I could really step through.

The feeling was heavy. Discouraging. I would cry, pray, and wonder if maybe I had misunderstood what God wanted from me. I even thought about walking away from it all, just shrinking my life down to something “safe” and small.

But deep down, I could not let go of the sense that God had planted something in me for a reason. So even in the frustration, I kept showing up, sometimes quietly, sometimes inconsistently, but still showing up. That persistence, even in the middle of doubt, shaped me. It gave me what I now call quiet power: the strength to keep moving when no one else is clapping and the courage to hold on to joy when circumstances do not make sense.

And part of that joy has been learning to enjoy life even if I have to do it alone. If that means going to the library, I go. If it means taking myself out on a little date or setting aside 30 minutes just for me, I do it. There were years I did not even celebrate my birthday because no one else was celebrating me. Now I celebrate myself on my birthday and honestly every day. And let me tell you, there is nothing wrong with that. It is actually more than alright. It is freedom.

That is what I hope to give others through my work. Not a perfect success story, but the reminder that your story is not over just because you feel stuck. Sometimes the very thing that feels like failure is what God is using to stretch you and prepare you for what is next. And along the way, you are allowed to celebrate yourself, to find joy in the small things, and to honor the quiet power in your own journey.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The way I built my audience was never about chasing the dollar or going viral. It was about building community. I focused less on “what’s next” and more on connecting with the people who were already showing up. Having real conversations. Being myself.

I’ve learned you can still be private and not share everything. When I do share personal things, people who have followed me for years will often say, “I never knew this about you.” I love that balance. It keeps my boundaries intact while still letting my community feel close. Over the years, I’ve had different pages for different businesses, but the same community followed me from one page to the next. That loyalty is everything.

Now, I don’t have a million followers, but I don’t need to. With 600 on one platform or 1,600 on YouTube, I still feel rich in community. Because those people talk to me. They share their insights. They get value from what I put out, even if I’m not the most consistent. And that’s what matters: value over volume.

My advice for anyone starting out:

Build community, not just content.

Don’t worry if you pivot, because you will. Growth is part of the journey.

Have a reason behind what you post. Ask yourself: am I centering myself, or am I giving value?

Focus on unselfish storytelling. Storytelling is how people connect, not just with what you do, but with why you do it.

Social media has been a place for me to grow, to reflect, and to share. It’s less about showing off and more about showing others they belong too.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xzandriaweil/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xzandria.weil/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weilxzandria/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@herquietpower
• Other: https://herquietpower.substack.com/
  https://open.spotify.com/show/1C15qeV2PGDyLAGxrnGEX1?si=490e05ce88474833

Image Credits

MizzMediaProductions, Melonie Wright https://www.mizzmediaproductions.com/

Girl scouts of Southeast WI , Camp Ceo – (i have on all black in center)