Today we’d like to introduce you to Malika Williams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Malika Sabän Williams — Interview Overview
•Etiquette education and entrepreneurship: I am a Master Certified Etiquette Consultant and founder of Excuse Me, Please Etiquette Company, established in 2o14. I teach practical etiquette and life skills to children, young adults, corporations, schools, churches, Girl Scout groups, and community organizations. My work helps people build confidence and navigate both everyday interactions and professional settings. I am also the author of the children’s table manners book Time to Eat: A First Look at Table Manners.
•Grief advocacy: After the tragic loss of my husband, I began sharing my experience to encourage others who are grieving. I travel across the United States speaking at conferences and other gatherings, offering encouragement and practical tools for healing. Through my Selfish Grief platform, I advocate for people to care for themselves, seek support, including counseling, and understand that healing takes time. My goal is to help transform lives one person at a time.
•Author: My newest second book, Selfish Grief: Redefining Healing After Loss, was published in January 2026. It has opened doors for conversations about loss, healing, and finding joy again.
•Community service and mentorship: Locally, I serve on the board of the Wilson County Fair. I volunteer during the annual fair and support activities, including tours, throughout the year. I also mentor young adults as they develop decision-making, banking, and other practical life skills.
•Public service: Alongside my entrepreneurial and community work, I serve full-time as Records Manager for the Nashville Fire Department within its Human Resources division.
Let me know if any additional information is needed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a meaningful journey, but it hasn’t always been a smooth road. With Excuse Me, Please Etiquette Company, one of the biggest challenges is helping people see etiquette as a need. People sometimes think of it only as table manners, when it also shapes how we communicate, build relationships, and present ourselves personally and professionally. Getting people to recognize that value and invest in it can take time, patience, and education.
In my grief advocacy work, I have experienced fewer challenges. What I encounter most is that people are at different places in their grief, and some may not yet feel ready to take steps toward healing. That is understandable. Grief is deeply personal, and healing cannot be rushed. My role is to meet people where they are, offer compassion and encouragement, and share tools they can turn to when they feel ready.
Both areas of my work have taught me the importance of patience, consistency, and honoring each person’s journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work centers on helping people move through life with confidence, compassion, and grace. I am a master-certified etiquette consultant, author, speaker, and grief advocate. Through Excuse Me, Please Etiquette Company, I teach children, teens, and adults the importance of manners, respectful communication, dining etiquette, and professional presence. I work with corporations, schools, churches, and community organizations, making etiquette practical and relevant to everyday life. My motto is simple: “Manners still matter.” I also wrote the children’s book Time to Eat: A First Look at Table Manners to introduce those lessons at an early age. I’m known as Ms. Etiquette.
Through my grief advocacy platform, Selfish Grief, I speak and share tools to help people navigate life after loss. My book, Selfish Grief: Redefining Healing After Loss, grew out of my own experience of losing my husband, Danny. I encourage people to give themselves permission to grieve, prioritize their needs, and rediscover joy without feeling that they are leaving their loved one behind.
I am most proud of turning my personal pain into work that supports others. Whether I am helping a young person feel more confident at the table or helping someone grieving feel seen and understood, those moments give my work meaning.
What sets me apart is the connection between my two areas of work. Etiquette and grief advocacy both ask us to consider how we treat people, and ourselves. I bring professional training, lived experience, faith, and warmth to those conversations. My goal is for people to leave feeling equipped, valued, and encouraged.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Nashville is its sense of community, creativity, and possibility. There are so many talented people here, and I appreciate the opportunities to connect, collaborate, and make a difference. Through my etiquette work, speaking, and grief advocacy, I have met wonderful people who care deeply about serving others. That spirit of connection makes the city special to me.
What I like least is the traffic and how fast-paced life can feel as the city grows. My hope is that Nashville continues to make room for new opportunities while preserving the warmth, hospitality, and community connections that make it feel like home.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.malikasaban.com and www.SelfishGrief.com
- Instagram: excusemepleaseetiquette
- Facebook: Malika Williams
