Meet Carrie Williams | Adventurer & Communications Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are inevitable in life. There are no guarantees in anything we do, we may try to play it safe but even in safety there’s unpredictability. The question is, what level of risk are we willing to take? To provide balance, risk taking isn’t merely blind, random or reckless decision making. I look at risk taking as simply trying new things with careful consideration. You may not know all of the answers or consequences but you should have an idea of how the risk can be beneficial and/or worth it. Thoughtful risk taking has helped me build relationships, start new adventures, forgive others, boost my self-esteem, think more critically, acquire patience and trust in God. I believe risk and fear operate under the same principle — they both lack certainty. Where I am today would not be possible without diving into unknown depths. Often, the fear of failure or embarrassment holds us stagnant and unfulfilled. We cannot grow if we’re not willing to take actionable (and sometimes scary) steps toward our goals. Risk taking has given me confidence in the validity of my ideas and has taught me how to speak up in any environment whether that’s a corporate setting or in my personal life. When you’re comfortable with the unknown, fear has no room to withstand.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My background is in communications, more specifically writing, design and web development. I am a visual storyteller dedicated to expressing compelling experiences through exploration and writing. Communications and marketing is a broad spectrum and the great advantage of having a large field of study is that you learn varying skill sets within your journey. Although adversely, the communications field can also be challenging to step into because of its vastness. At first, I had trouble identifying how I would make an impact in a seemingly saturated field, but that didn’t stop me from learning, interning or taking jobs in journalism, TV production, movie production, script writing, news reporting, coding, graphic design and the list goes on. With trying so many different occupations, at times I felt lost and aimless, I was looking for something and didn’t know what. Throughout the years of trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do, I learned that my passion wasn’t rooted in one idea, skill or job. But rather, allowing myself to combine my professional knowledge with my personal interests. This realization helped me to birth Scenic Affairs, a platform committed to diversifying outdoor spaces by connecting people through adventure and outdoor activities. These activities and adventures consist of but are not limited to hiking, kayaking, traveling, climbing, fishing, zip lining, biking and more. Scenic Affairs encompasses the need for more representation in outdoor leisure and sports, including backpacking associations and corporate outdoor companies. I was able to utilize my years of skill development, knowledge and determination to build and create something meaningful with expansive potential. I believe there are always lessons to be learned and room for improvement and I am constantly seeking to help build Scenic Affairs to the next level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would schedule well-rounded activities to try and get the full effect of the area. Atlanta has many “scenes” for everyone to enjoy, like the arts, music, technology hubs, etc.

Monday. I would like to start the week with admiring the beautiful landscapes and scenery of Atlanta. Today is a site-seeing day. We are going to ride around the new and historic areas of Atlanta, from East Point to Buckhead. We’ll go through Centennial Olympic Park, view or ride on the Farris wheel, visit different murals around the city, Ponce City Market and Freedom Parkway. Today will be the perfect “city photo-op” day.

Tuesday. Today we’ll be diving into culture and history. We will visit the Atlanta History Museum, Civil Rights Museum and the High Museum. If we have time, we will swing near Atlantic Station to visit the Body Museum. Because museums close early during the week, if we don’t make it in time we’ll catch a movie at the Regal Cinema, (if it’s open since we’re in a pandemic).

Wednesday. Every trip needs a little exercise infusion. Today will be a climbing and hiking tour day. We will visit Stone Summit in the morning for a climbing workout. Then, we’ll travel to several popular parks and attractions with great views and trails. We will visit either Vickery Creek, Kennesaw Mountain, Island Ford, East Palisades, and Morningside Nature Preserve. Just a few of my favorites.

Thursday. Almost the weekend, so since it’s been a jam-packed few days, today will be relaxing and restful. In the morning we’ll get massages at Treat Your Feet then brunch at Negril Village. We’ll do some shopping at Get It Grl in Little Five Points. Later, we’ll end the evening at a sip and paint class or tour a brewery (I‘m going to leave the decision up to my friend).

Friday. Atlanta offers ample eateries to choose from, it’s nearly impossible to narrow things down to one. Good thing we won’t have to. Today will be a restaurant/bar hop day; we’ll order small meals at several restaurants like Milk and Honey, Twisted Soul Cookhouse, Atlanta Breakfast Club or Slim & Husky’s.

Saturday. Everyone has their idea of Atlanta or have some curiosities about the city before they arrive. I’ll leave this day up to my friend and gauge her on what she’s heard or would like to do. If she doesn’t know where she would like to go then we’re going to iFly, an indoor skydiving place in Cobb County. If she’s afraid of this activity, we’ll check out The Battery nearby. (I’ll have backup plans all week in case she’s not up to one of the activities).

Sunday. And finally, this will be the real day for reflection and relaxation. I will take my friend to my church Word of Faith, then later we will go grab dessert (i.e. Cami Cakes, Sweet Cheats Sublime Doughnuts, Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe, etc.) and walk through Piedmont park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents. Without their wisdom, knowledge and foundational teachings I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. They’ve inspired and supported me in every endeavor I’ve thrown their way. Their love is unconditional and I’m truly blessed to have great examples of what it means to be a man and woman of God.

Website: www.scenicaffairs.com
Instagram: @scenicaffairs
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriewilliams424/
Facebook: facebook.com/scenicaffairs