Meet Tia Williams | Community Builder

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

Hi Tia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my business in 2019 by organizing events specifically for women-owned creatives and entrepreneurs. At the time, I found myself wearing multiple hats—designing the graphics, building the websites, creating the logos, and managing the marketing for these events. That’s when it hit me: there was a real need for these services, especially from someone who understood the vision and struggles of women entrepreneurs firsthand.

By 2020, that need became even more apparent. The world shifted, and so did business. I realized I could turn my skills into a full-service agency—not just for myself, but to support other women who needed help telling their stories and marketing their brands effectively.

The journey to Her GRRUV wasn’t linear. I went through several business names before settling on one that truly represented me. I made the biggest move of my life—2,500 miles to Los Angeles as a single mother—and Her GRRUV just fit. I had been through so many trials and setbacks, and yet, I was still here, ready to rebuild. That name reflected not only my personal transformation, but also my belief that something powerful was on the horizon.

In 2024, Her GRRUV officially launched with a clear mission: to help women-owned brands get their GRRUV back—through storytelling, community-building, and strategic marketing. It’s more than a business; it’s a movement. Her GRRUV is about collaboration over competition, using creative tools and community-driven strategies to build something bigger together. This project is how I give back, by creating space and visibility for the women who inspire me every day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is a reflection of my journey — both the beauty and the battles. I’m the founder of HER GRRUV, a platform and creative studio that brings stories, brands, and people together. Through branding, marketing, storytelling, and content creation, I help women-owned businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs show up as their boldest, most authentic selves.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge strategy with soul. I don’t just create logos or design photo shoots — I create moments. I give women a space to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. I know what it’s like to start with nothing but a vision. I’ve experienced instability and hardship firsthand, including periods of homelessness, and I’ve learned how to turn struggle into storytelling, and pain into purpose. That’s why everything I do has meaning behind it.

I’m most proud of how I’ve used my experiences to inspire and uplift others — especially women who look like me, who’ve been through similar things, and who are still pushing toward their purpose. I’ve built a growing community, curated impactful events like Collab Fest, and launched projects that amplify Black women and creatives through storytelling and collaboration.

It wasn’t easy. There were moments when I didn’t know where I was headed, only that I couldn’t give up. I had to be resourceful, humble, and consistent. I learned to ask for help, to heal, and to keep showing up — even when it felt like no one was watching. Those challenges taught me resilience and reminded me that alignment is more powerful than applause.

What I want the world to know is that HER GRRUV isn’t just a brand — it’s a movement. It’s about rediscovery, healing, and giving women permission to be multidimensional — bold, soft, creative, and powerful. I’m not here to blend in. I’m here to break barriers, build with other women, and help others find their GRRUV again — just like I did.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Welcome & Wind Down
• Stay: Check into a vibey boutique hotel like The Cara Hotel or Palihouse West Hollywood.
• Dinner: Head to Delilah for upscale supper-club vibes — good food, music, and a gorgeous setting.
• Drinks: Nightcap at Employees Only — dim lighting, great cocktails, and hidden gem energy.
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Day 2: Arts & Soul
• Brunch: Met Her At A Bar in Mid-Wilshire for waffles and mimosas.
• Visit: Spend the day at The Broad Museum and then walk over to MOCA or explore Hauser & Wirth downtown.
• Dinner: Vegan soul food at Stuff I Eat in Inglewood — a must.
• Hangout: Chill at Soho Warehouse if we want to feel cute & creative in a loungey space.
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Day 3: Black-Owned Day
• Breakfast: Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in View Park or DTLA — co-founded by Issa Rae, good vibes guaranteed.
• Shop: Check out Post 21, Blk Mkt Flea (if there’s a pop-up), or stroll Leimert Park Village for culture and connection.
• Dinner: Alta Adams — elevated soul food and a gorgeous crowd.
• After: A live music night at The Love Song Bar or The Miracle Theater.
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Day 4: Nature + Nourishment
• Morning Hike: Runyon Canyon or Kenneth Hahn Park for some grounding with views.
• Lunch: Great White in Venice — perfect for that West Coast, aesthetic moment.
• Beach Vibes: Venice Beach Boardwalk, then over to El Matador in Malibu for sunset magic.
• Dinner: Sushi or tacos by the beach — Nobu Malibu if we’re splurging.
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Day 5: Creative Reset
• Morning: Private yoga session or sound bath (we’d find a Black woman-led experience to keep it intentional).
• Visit: The Underground Museum (if reopened) or explore WACO Theater Center.
• Photoshoot: Book a content session with one of my go-to photographers — because if we’re in LA, we’re capturing it!
• Dinner: Casual but chic at E.P. & L.P. rooftop or Gracias Madre for plant-based Mexican.
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Day 6: Girlboss Energy
• Brunch & Work: Bring the laptop to Highland Café in Highland Park — creative energy everywhere.
• Pop-up Shopping: Hit a pop-up by a local women-led brand or UGC creators.
• Networking Event or Mixer: I’d find an event hosted by Black Market Flea, Sunday Sessions LA, or one of my own HER GRRUV collabs if it lined up!
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Day 7: Chill, Reflect, Glow
• Spa Day: Milk + Honey Spa or The Now Massage for luxury self-care.
• Wrap Dinner: Rooftop dinner at Perch LA or Harriet’s Rooftop in WeHo.
• Final Toast: Back at the hotel with wine, journaling, and reflecting on the glow-up moments from the trip.
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People & Places to Know:
• Creatives like Aurielle Marie, Kyla Jenée Lacey, and community builders behind The Gathering Spot LA
• Blk-owned wellness studios, fashion pop-ups, & creative house spaces in South LA, Inglewood, or Arts District
• Local markets, UGC meetups, and collabs — you never know who you’ll meet or inspire

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely—my journey wouldn’t be what it is without the inspiration, influence, and support of so many sources along the way. First, I want to shout out the platforms that showed me what’s possible for women who dare to dream big: xoNecole and Mefeater. Both platforms have empowered me as a Black woman to own my voice, show up authentically, and turn my creativity into something impactful.

I’m also deeply inspired by storytelling through film. Movies like “Mahogany”, “The Body Type”, “Girlboss”, “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, and “The Intern” have poured into my vision in different ways. Whether it’s seeing women evolve through their careers, learn from their mistakes, or take bold steps toward reinvention, each film has reminded me that growth is messy, stylish, and powerful.

This journey hasn’t been easy—but the love, encouragement, and inspiration I’ve pulled from these spaces helped me keep going, even in the toughest moments. So I dedicate this shoutout to the stories that reminded me of who I am and who I’m becoming.

Website: https://hergrruvmag.com

Instagram: hergrruv

Twitter: hergrruv

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ovqw7r6fgnIoLfmQNlWCc

Image Credits
Hat and the demin look-
Photographer: Tierra with Heavenly Yerra Media
Stylist: Nairobi Bruce with Styled by Nairobi