Meet Keisha Williams | Mother, Wife, Business Owner, Veteran | The Modern Day Renaissance

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

Hi Keisha, what’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?
When my son passed away in 2016 after a long and hard 74 day battle with a Congenital Heart Disease known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, the most difficult decision that I had to make was to live on without him….To keep going as if there was anything greater that meant more to me than him at that point. It’s going on 7 years and I struggle with this decision daily. Amidst my grief and recovery, I came to a fork in the road. Do I sit in my pain where it’s easier for me to dwell in sorrow, or do I make an effort to choose myself?

I remind myself everyday that there is no ceiling to the impact of my reach. As long as I am still here to tell my story, I know there is someone else struggling with similar thoughts or experiences who needed to read this. Wearing the hat as a wife, mother, and business owner of multiple Veteran & Woman Owned Minority businesses, I am able to take pride in every breathe I take. I started this legacy for Bryce P. Williams and i’ll continue to drive on like the trooper that I am.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Honestly, what i’m most proud of is my decision to work for myself for the rest of my life after the Army. I was 5 years into my marriage and a few months pregnant with my miracle baby, so there was absolutely no desire to work in the corporate field at any 9 to 5. I was done with taking orders and requesting time off for myself based on approval by a superior. When I lost my son almost a year after separating from the military, I especially did not foresee leaving my life’s path in the hands of ANYONE anymore.

The first taste I had in working for myself was in 2016 when my husband graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. He was still in school while our son was in the hospital until he died and it was a collective decision for him to finish his education because cooking was so healing for him. I felt like the difficult time we were going through was taking its toll on him and it was better for him to continue his passion than the both of us emotionally deteriorate. Our friends and family were already requesting recipes and dishes and it was a no brainer to capitalize on his gift. At the top of 2017, B.P.W. Tavern on the Move & Catering, LLC. now Bryce’s Kitchen was incorporated. Named in honor of our late son, we named it for him with nothing but love and a blend of our love for our cultures. Based on our backgrounds, Caribbean & Creole, a full service catering company providing quality recipes straight from the heart to your pallet was born and it thrived.

As healing and growing our new venture & family continued, we were presented with another opportunity to invest in another service based industry that we could not turn down. At the top of 2017, BlackOut Experience, LLC., an audio-visual production company was created. We invested about $10k on silent headphone equipment and turned it into a 6 figure earning business with clients worldwide. With the growing network of businesses built since staring our catering company, it was a no brainer using it to our advantage when plugging in silent party’s locally in Atlanta and eventually abroad.

Ofcourse there are challenges… your talking about juggling two toddlers, marriage, a full service catering and then an entertainment company all at one time. People get caught up on the title of ‘owner’, but have no idea what it takes behind the doors to work to earn every single dollar in order to provide a better life for your children and most importantly yourself.

When a global pandemic hit the U.S., it was a sever wake up call for me. We grew so accustomed to our lifestyle and established legacy and success, that we never expected COVID to take us a million steps backwards. Everything we were involved in, was entertainment based. Literally wiped out all the hard work over the years. As the brains, I felt helpless so I could imagine my husband the braun in our family, to feel even more powerless. There had to be another avenue to supplement our income.

During the pandemic, No Germs Allowed, LLC., a commercial & residential cleaning company was formed. My partner Terry, owner of BonfireATL and I established a means to and end. We discovered a need in our area during our country’s health crisis and a way to provide when our other company’s were struggling. We never had a problem with bookings, the struggle came with securing reliable personnel to do the job and execute to standard. There were times when I found myself scrubbing toilets in buildings to maintain our brand because our cleaner did not show up to the site. Even with that being said, it never stopped my drive for success. I was building a brand in my own right and I could not give up.

Eventually the world started to resume businesses as usual and events became normal to have, we automated our operation and decided to take our crafts to Mexico. We we invited to provide entertainment and culinary services at The Fives Hotel & Residence chain in Quintana Roo, Mx for almost a year. While working and living in two different cultures, there was an appreciation that I acquired for financial gain through providing a need for the most overlooked industries.

Upon my return, my partner & I embarked on a new trend involving electric vehicles. With my connections and experience in Mexico, there was a strong need for mobility vehicles in Tulum. With it being a highly visible tourist area and 1 way in and out of the jungle terrain, we saw window to supply a way for visitors and locals to get around without breaking the bank for a cab or lose time with parking. People just want to have fun on vacation so why not give them something to enjoy while they het around and save the planet while they’re at it.

We were so fortunate to be introduced to the amazing team at Derek Automotive Technologies, Inc., based in Atlantic Station, Atlanta, Ga. The first of its kind, Derek Automotive is a black-owned electric car company that has a wide range of vehicles from electric scooter and golf carts to passenger cars and SUVs to name a few. Signing on as the company’s first black female international Global Partner has been the pinnacle of my own life’s path and development. I get the opportunity to support global preservation as well as provide a service as I am accustomed doing but on a larger scale. With my logistics experience and organizational skills, this is the difference I was destined to be apart of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a major foodie and anywhere that serves good food with a side of great quality service, i’m there!

I would tell anyone visiting Atlanta to make sure they start their week on a Sunday so they can enjoy Atlanta’s greatest kickback, BonfireATL. It’s a night festival that happens every single Sunday from 10-3am. I love to call it Church for the Creative. Imagine a place that you can explore local vendors selling their art, listen to rising performers on a live stage, dance all night with multiple DJs simultaneously with a silent headphone experience and eat from some of the best hand picked food vendors in the city. Definitely an all around, come as you are, good time around a traditional bonfire in the middle of the compound. After you take Monday for recovery, i’d recommend Taco Tuesday at Bar Taco in Inman Park. You can’t beat their happy hour Taco & Margaritas. The rest of the week, i’d have them utilize the guest membership at The High Museum to explore the arts, Atlanta Botanical Garden to catch the current seasons exhibit, if they’re into the alternative nightlife then MJQ Concourse and Bar Margot, are the places to be. When they want to get classy, then Rooftop LOA, Rocksteady, Knife, The Garden Room and the brand new Nobu are some of my favs. They all provide their guests with great culinary experience with a first-class atmosphere that also has the best setting for an IG photo-op. To wrap up an eventful week, you can’t be in ATL and not have brunch. Take your pick out of Canoe, Murphy’s, South City Kitchen or even Bar Vegan to name a few. I have too many favs to limit the list to a specific place. If you haven’t been to Ponce City Market or The Atlanta Beltline, then you’re missing out. Period.
This city has so much culture. It’s a melting pot for unique experiences and dining from all walks of life. Growing up in Brooklyn, this was a welcomed contrast and I wouldn’t change anything about my time here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m so blessed to have the love and support from my husband of 13 years, Chef Ron. He is my partner in business and I thank the stars for him. It’s important to have someone in your corner who appreciates your growth and supports your ambitions. We’re locked in for the long haul.

I want to thank #TeamBlackOut, our staff consists of the best Disc Jockey’s and customer service professionals in Atlanta. No matter the mission or destination, they’re down for the cause and have been loyal since day 1. We wouldn’t be Atlanta’s #1 Silent Party Vibes Provider without our team behind the machine.

I hold a special place for Derek Automotive Technologies, Inc. The very first of it’s kind in the Electric Vehicle industry. A black owned and operated EV automaker with a vast variety of designs matched with price points to fit any consumer. Over the summer, I assumed role as Global Partner with DAT with plans to open an Electa Mobility Dealership in Tulum. I’ve never felt so at home with this team and forever grateful for the opportunity. Literally found my tribe and the overwhelming support is unmatched.

Website: www.blackoutex.com

Instagram: @Blackoutexperience

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keishawilliamsbizplug

Facebook: @blackoutexperiencellc

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackoutexperience6277

Other: Bryce’s Kitchen: www.bpwcatering.com IG: @bryce_kitchen/@caribxcreole FB: @BPWCatering No Germs Allowed: www.ngaclen.com IG: @ngaclean FB: @NGAClean Derek Automotive Technologies, Inc: https://derekautomotive.com/ IG: @derekautomotive/@electobility FB: @DerekAutomotiveTechnologies

Image Credits
BonfireATL @bonfireatl Yantay S. “Villain” @thevillainwins Senpai Aki @yojpggirlaki BlackOut Experience @blackoutexperience Seven Foot Films @sevenfootfilms Keisha Williams @kingkeisha_ Adrienne Lawson @swagggirlicious_