Meet Jessica Williams: Educator, Philanthropist, & Reset Strategist

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

Hi Jessica, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I believe that balance looks different for everyone. I used to have this warped view of balance. I thought that balance was all about managing all of your roles at once, and literally performing at 100% at all times, but that is unrealistic. Mentally and physically it can be exhausting and overwhelming causing you to spiral or lean on addictions to push through. After my own experiences as an educator, non-profit leader, entrepreneur, parent, etc. and life in general: I have found that balance is just about prioritizing. If you are ambitious like me, your plate is always going to be full. Balance is about prioritizing and planning to accomplish the most important things for that particular day or season. Balance will not always look the same way, and once I truly developed a new perspective around this- my anxiety minimized as well as my unrealistic expectations for myself that were ultimately drowning me. You don’t have to be miserable to live a successful life, its all about priotizing the things that matter most which creates balance and peace internally.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an educator, philanthropist, and Reset Strategist! In all of these roles, I have an opportunity to pour into people and give them hope. I have been an educator for the last seven years, and I currently teach eighth grade STEAM students. I am also involved in many philanthropic efforts as a youth pastor and board member on two non-profit organizations. Lastly, I am a Reset Strategist with a team working to assist millenial women in resetting after major life changes such as job promotion, divorce, assault, child-birth (post-partum), infidelity, and trauma. It may seem like a lot, but I have learned the value in each of them as it relates to who I am holistically. I have learned through experience that every role aids in the long-term trajectory of our life. I have a gift for children which has expanded to working with an organization to open my own school in two years and I impact their lives daily as a youth pastor which is fulfilling for me. I have experienced and healed through trauma, and I use that to provide hope, encouragement, and real life strategies to women that look just like me as a Reset Strategist! If you have a lot on your plate and you are ambitious like me, I have learned that the best way to manage it always remembering your why. I have had to remove all my original ideas of what success and balance look like to overcome those feelings of comparison, perfectionism, and inadequacy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were showing my best friend around the town, I would see what kind of mood he/she was in. I love being from Atlanta, because we literally have some of everything for everyone! I am an absolute foodie so we would definitely have to try some amazing food spots such as Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, Cafe Social House, Pappadeaux, Old Lady Gang, Marlow’s Tavern, and Thumbs Up Diner. Due to Covid, we would visit places that were socially distanced and safe for our adventures such as biking on the beltline, hiking through one of our beautiful waterfalls or bamboo forest, riding scooters downtown, or even trying one of our beautiful attractions such as Botannical Gardens.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate compassion for others and relentless pursuit for a full life to my family. My family supports me relentlessly with every business idea, new degree, adventure, etc. They encourage me to be my authentic self and never waver for the opinion of others. They remind me of my value even when I do not feel like I am at my best. Ultimately, they are my anchors through life’s chaos.

Website: JessicaWilliamsCEO.com
Instagram: @JessicaWilliamsCEO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessicaWilliamsCEO