As a Black woman who has journeyed from a British schoolgirl told to ‘be quiet’, to an ambitious leader who at times felt isolated and discounted, Allison Williams is grateful for the mentorship and coaching that gave her the strength to pursue her goals.
Today, as the founder of The Black Women Collective, she encourages other Women of Color to find and wear their own 'invisible crown'—with the help of a supportive community and valuable resources to achieve success.
A Circle of Mentors, Innovators, and Creators
Anyone who meets Allison is immediately struck by her confidence and the wisdom she shares with those who have a dream, an idea, or a challenge. Her supporters include the flourishing network of members in The Black Women Collective, an organization she founded in 2021 to support Black women entrepreneurs in building, growing, and sustaining thriving businesses.
“We’ve grown into a full-fledged movement, challenging the status quo and working to create opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs to mentor, innovate, and create,” Allison explains. “It’s time for all of us to step into our greatness, and through The Black Women Collective, it’s about fixing each other’s crowns.”
The symbolism of the crown traces back to Allison’s early days as an entrepreneur. At that time, she struggled with eroding confidence while building her parenting consulting service. "I realized that to succeed, I needed to believe we’re descendants of kings and queens. We should wear a crown to face an invisible one but our mindset should be that we have a crown on our head at all times, especially in situations in which we are taking bold new steps in our business with strength,” she recalls.
Conquering Challenges with Support and Gratitude
Allison openly admits it took time for her to put on her ‘invisible crown’ and create the supportive community she leads today.
Growing up in London, England, with her single mother and four siblings, she faced challenges in school. Despite her love for learning, discouragement often followed. However, with the support of a nurturing teacher, Miss Norris, who instilled in her a sense of self-worth, Allison pursued higher education. In college, a psychology professor diagnosed her with dyslexia, a revelation that Allison embraced as a unique gift. This empowered her to complete her university education as a social worker, a milestone in her journey toward self-realization.
After moving to Canada with her family, Allison continued to embrace new challenges, including starting her parenting consulting service, which ultimately led to the creation of The Black Women Collective.
Finding Strength in Community
Though experienced in facing obstacles, Allison admits that transitioning into entrepreneurship wasn’t easy. “When I moved to a new province, I found it difficult to find like-minded Black women and entrepreneurs to connect with,” she says. “I needed a mentor, someone to bounce ideas off of, so I found a coach and a mentor from The Scotiabank Women Initiative who helped me get my thoughts together and create a plan.”
Part of her journey to embracing the belief that “I am enough” involved wearing a crown—literally—for a month. She noticed that this simple act made people more drawn to her. Inspired by this experience, Allison launched an online group where Black women entrepreneurs could connect, learn, and share resources. With 75% of Black women entrepreneurs running their businesses alongside full-time jobs, Allison recognized the importance of accessible resources.
Allison also acknowledges the pivotal support she received from Scotiabank’s small business banking team, who listened to her story when she opened her account and even checked in during challenging times.
Most recently, Allison has re-engaged with The Scotiabank Women Initiative, a program that excites her because of its commitment to fostering a community of support among diverse women leaders and entrepreneurs.
A Message of Gratitude and Empowerment
Reflecting on her journey, Allison shares a key piece of advice for fellow women entrepreneurs: “Start each day with gratitude. Being in that energy of gratitude will help you move forward, even on days when you feel like giving up or aren’t seeing the results you want.”
Her gratitude extends to the mentors, family, community, and experiences that shaped her, fueling her confidence about the future, despite its uncertainties. “I want The Black Women Collective to become a global organization where women from all backgrounds can connect, support each other, and wear their invisible crowns. Knowing that tomorrow always brings new possibilities, and that I can learn from yesterday, gives me strength on this journey of discovery.”
