Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenzie Kellar Williams
Hi McKenzie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Only in my wildest dreams did I think I would end up where I am today…
For starters, I am a Unicorn – I was born and raised here in Nashville! I graduated in 2020 from The University of Alabama with a degree in business (Management Information Systems) and a job secured with one of the Big 4 accounting firms. I worked my corporate job through COVID, eventually seeing if a different Big 4 firm would work out (spoiler alert: it didn’t!). While working my IT Audit jobs, I never seemed to lose my creative spark – always crafting and painting. In December of 2022, I dipped my toes in the disco world by making a silver disco tile mannequin (shoutout to the Maximalist Home Decor FB group) – and I fell in love!
By the end of January 2023, I finished the prototype for The Disco Chick’s flagship product – but, I didn’t know it at that time. I was still longing in the disco dream of “what could be”…
On April 20, 2023, I closed my corporate laptop for the last time and never looked back!!! I had more than just a dream now – I had a vision.
On June 15, 2023 THE DISCO CHICK WAS BORN!!! My social media was live and I was BUZZING! However, being the naive amateur entrepreneur that I was, I was certain I would go viral in the first 24 hours of my launch. Boy was I wrong (LOL) but, man oh man has it been the best journey these last 14 months: I’ve created and sold over 100 disco pieces to 10 states and 2 countries, participated in many local events around Middle TN, and met countless incredible people along the way!
At the end of the day, I am a commission artist adding some funk to the world, one disco tile at a time. If there is a vision to be brought to disco life – I am the girl for the job! Not sure what you want to disco-fy? Check out my flagship product: The Disco Chick Planter – a multi-functional art piece sure to stand out from the rest!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been totally smooth, but I’ve been lucky enough to have an incredible support system there to help pick me up and push me through when times are tough.
One of the biggest struggles I’ve encountered as a small business owner/entrepreneur/artist is the learning curve. As I mentioned earlier, I definitely thought I was going to be a viral sensation when I started making my disco creations, and – quickly – I realized that it wouldn’t be that easy. This just gave me even greater motivation to dig even deeper into my dream.
Also, every event I’ve attended as a vendor has not always been successful financially: some times I sell a lot and some times I’ve left hundreds and hundreds of dollars in the hole – but, at the end of the day, it’s all about what can be taken and learned from the opportunity!
One thing I’ve learned: there’s always going to be hurdles…
One hurdle you are always jumping over is the fact that there are other disco artists out there and more to emerge, so you have to stay on top of your creativity game. Along with that, you may encounter people ripping off your ideas – heck, I’ve noticed people that are out there copying me right now! This doesn’t necessarily bother me, however, it fuels me to be the best and continue to create with the upmost quality, care, and love that I always have.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a commission artist set out on a mission to add more funk and happiness to this world – one disco tile at a time. Do you have a vision that you want brought to disco life? The Disco Chick is here for the job! Not sure what you want to disco-fy? Check out my flagship product: The Disco Chick Planter – a multi-functional art piece SURE to stand out from the rest!! All items are handmade by me with A LOT of love!
I have created many custom pieces from Queen Nefertiti (shipped to Amsterdam), to my famous alien heads, football helmets, and ducks, to letters, NSFW memorabilia, masks, cats, DISCO DEATH STARS and MORE! However, with all that being said, I think I am most proud of my flagship product. My favorite question is “how did you come up with this?!”. Well, I was living in an apartment at the time and going on my first maximalist decor tear when I got the idea: I loved the terracotta head planters and I also loved the disco ball planters….but I wanted both….. after scouring the internet and not finding what I was looking for, I decided to make it! And the rest is history…!!
I believe my high attention to detail and level of care and thoughtfulness towards each piece is what makes me stand out from others. I go through a lengthy multi-step process regardless of what I am making – to ensure the most beautiful and seamless finish as possible! I truly mean it when I say that each piece I create is made with a lot of love!!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that there is a different audience and vibe depending on where you go in the city. For example, I’ve had the best business days in West Nashville vs East Nashville, but Downtown Nashville as a whole has a collective audience that works for The Disco Chick – versus going outside of the city. Overall, the OPPORTUNITY in Nashville is above and beyond!
The traffic!!! The traffic is what I like least about our city!!
Pricing:
- Short heads start at $65+
- Tall heads start at $100+
- 50% deposit required for all custom pieces $50+
- Shipping fees are extra
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thediscochicks (https://www.instagram.com/thediscochicks)
- Facebook: The Disco Chick (https://www.facebook.com/share/bKHYneghRKTYwQVm/)
- TikTok: @thedisc0chick (https://www.tiktok.com/@thedisc0chick)
