Julia Sellers on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Julia Sellers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Julia, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think many women are silently struggling with the pressure to “have it all together.” Behind polished social media profiles and professional achievements, there’s often a quiet battle with self-doubt, burnout, loneliness, the need to “level-up” or the fear of not being enough.

At WINGS, we recognize that success doesn’t always feel as strong as it looks. That’s why we intentionally create safe spaces where women can be vulnerable, share authentically, and be surrounded by a community that uplifts, empowers, and reminds them they don’t have to do it all alone. Our work is rooted in the belief that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s the gateway to real growth.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are Julia Sellers, Mia Vickers, and Hope McCrary, the co-founders of WINGS – Women Inspiring New Growth for Success—a dynamic women’s empowerment organization based in Nashville, TN. As three women from different walks of life, we came together with one shared mission: to create transformational experiences that uplift, connect, and equip women to soar—both personally and professionally.

WINGS is not your average networking group. We intentionally design curated, elevated experiences that combine personal development with professional growth—and a healthy dose of fun. From our “New Year, New You” vision-setting experience to our elegant Galentine’s Day celebration with gourmet dining and powerhouse speakers, we’re redefining what it means to invest in yourself and your sisterhood.

What makes us unique is our bold approach to building community through experiential learning and real-life empowerment. We believe the best deals happen on the golf course—so we’re teaching women how to swing with confidence in our upcoming Golf Clinic. We believe leadership requires strategy and courage—so we’re bringing women together at Casino Night to learn poker skills that translate to the boardroom. And because every woman deserves luxury and sisterhood, we’re elevating the happy hour with our signature “Happiest Hour” and Tea Soirée.

Our backgrounds are just as diverse as our events.

Julia Sellers is a strategist and nonprofit leader who knows how to build powerful partnerships and brand momentum.

Mia Vickers brings deep experience in public policy, outreach, and program design—ensuring every event delivers measurable impact.

Hope McCrary is a gifted connector with a heart for helping women thrive in spaces where they feel safe, celebrated, and supported.

WINGS is for the woman who is ready to rise—who is seeking authentic connection, meaningful personal growth, and practical tools to succeed. Whether you’re leading a company, launching a dream, or just needing a reset, WINGS is here to remind you: you were made to soar.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Judith Elizabeth Culver Wehunt. She saw something in me before I fully recognized it in myself. At a time when I was still learning how to navigate the corporate world as a young, ambitious Black woman—balancing motherhood and a drive for success—Judith, a seasoned banking executive with nearly four decades of experience, quietly began to shape my path. She never announced herself as a mentor, but her actions, belief in me, and unwavering support gave me the confidence to step into rooms I once questioned if I belonged in.

She modeled excellence, grace, and strategic leadership, and in doing so, helped me realize I had those same qualities. Under her guidance, I wasn’t just learning how to do the job—I was becoming a leader, sharpening my voice, and discovering the power I had to create change and inspire others.

Long before I co-founded WINGS or led a financial firm or built a leadership academy, Judith saw that spark in me. She nurtured it until I could fully own it myself. And now, through WINGS, I pay that forward by helping other women see the power and brilliance within themselves—often before they’re ready to claim it.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
It happened the moment I realized that what I thought had broken me was actually building me.

Becoming a teen mom was the first major challenge in my life—and at the time, I truly believed it had derailed my future. I worried I had forfeited my dreams, my potential, and the life I envisioned for myself. For a while, I carried that shame quietly, doing everything I could to prove I was still worthy of success. But something shifted when I stopped seeing that moment as a setback and started recognizing it as the source of my strength.

That experience gave me the fuel I needed to push harder, rise faster, and stay focused. It became the driving force behind my work ethic, my ambition, and my refusal to be a statistic. I decided that if I couldn’t erase the challenge, I would make sure it told a different story—a story of triumph, resilience, and transformation.

I rose through the ranks in banking and became a VP in my 20s. I built businesses, led movements, and stood on stages helping others rewrite their own narratives. But it all started when I stopped hiding the hardest chapter of my life—and began using it to inspire my daughter, and now countless other women, to see that adversity doesn’t disqualify you. In fact, it just might be the thing that qualifies you to lead.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth that guides everything I do is this: you can create a beautiful, powerful life—even if it didn’t start that way. I don’t say it often, but it’s the foundation of how I show up in every space. I believe your past does not define your potential. I’ve lived it. From becoming a teen mom to rising in corporate America, launching businesses, and empowering women through WINGS, my journey has taught me that circumstances don’t limit you—mindset does.

Another truth I hold quietly is this: excellence is non-negotiable. Not perfection, but intentionality, consistency, and a refusal to shrink in the face of hard things. I carry a deep sense of responsibility to honor every opportunity, represent my family well, and leave a legacy that matters—not just in words, but in action.

And lastly, I believe that service is strength. Uplifting others is not something extra I do—it’s part of who I am. Whether through mentorship, leadership, or sisterhood, I’m committed to helping others soar because I know what it’s like to have to figure it out on your own.

These truths don’t always need to be spoken. They show up in how I lead, how I work, and how I live.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
f I retired tomorrow, I think my customers—and the women I serve through WINGS—would miss the way I see them. Not just their roles or achievements, but the full, powerful women they are becoming. They’d miss the way I bring clarity to chaos, speak life into vision, and help people believe in what’s possible—even when they can’t fully see it themselves.

They’d also miss the excellence I bring to every detail, the safe space I create for women to rise without competition, and the way I lead with both strategy and heart. But most of all, I believe they’d miss out on the best of me—because I’m still learning, still growing, still evolving every single day.

I’m constantly stretching myself so I can show up better for others. Whether it’s a new insight, a lesson from life, or a refined skill, I intentionally take that growth and pass it on where it can help someone else. So if I retired tomorrow, they’d miss not just what I’ve already poured out—but what’s still to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wingssoarhigh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingssoarhigh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-sellers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568748060960
• Other: https://www.wingssoarhigh.com

Image Credits
Motelewa Smith Photography