Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiela Walker.
Shiela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Founded by a seasoned retail executive and mompreneur Shiela Walker, A Wink of Yellow is a lifestyle brand offering beautifully curated fashion products from the US and around the world.
Based in Austin Texas and building retail & production relationships around the world, A Wink of Yellow strives to make your fashion, decor, and gifting needs effortless. Our partners meet at least one of these standards: women owned, innovative, made-to-order, handmade, or eco-friendly. Shiela wanted to create approachable and affordable styles that are high quality, timeless, and elegant/refined and bridge the gap between cheap styles and luxury. There’s a real need out there for quality products that are made and sourced responsibly.
Inspired by the color yellow since she was a child, her life experiences, and travels, Shiela created a brand where beauty, love and connection are made visible. Embodying her own sense of style, the pieces are timeless with an edge, trendy that leans classic, simple and unfussy with a wink. She is excited to bring more and more ideas to life!
“There is nothing impossible to they who will try.” – Alexander The Great
“I’ve been dreaming of AWY for a long time and wanted to remind myself and the kids that the only thing standing between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible. Anything is possible when you try with love and a little wink of yellow.”
– Shiela Walker, Founder & CEO
Shiela Walker – 30 years in retail & tech combined. A high capacity, dynamic leader with over 25+ years in Product, Planning ($20M – 10B+), Partner Mgmt., Supply Chain & Ops in Retail & Tech. Corporate + Start-up; Real estate investor.
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?
1.5 years in and it’s been a blast and hard work! For a boot strapped, self funded company, the biggest challenge is creating the products you want to make and making your vision come true while having to prioritize spend. You’re competing with companies that have a lot more
money or are investor funded.
The other challenge is spending your time doing the job of 25 people because you can’t just focus on product development and getting products in, you have to run operations, Sales, Social Media, Fulfillment, etc. This is pretty typical for start-ups.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have 25 years in corporate and start-up experience between retail and technology. I started working for The Gap at 16 so retail is in my blood and I love it. After working for Andersen Consulting after College (now Accenture), I joined Gap Corporate and continued on my retail career. In 6 years there- I did everything from core Retail Finance, to Merchandise Planning to managing Field Finance Operations.
I moved to Texas and joined AMD – A semiconductor giant. It wasn’t retail but I stayed in Sales & Operations Planning, Global Ops and Business management. I wasn’t planning clothes and accessories, but was still planning units – computer chips and systems. Amazing years at Gap, Inc in my 20s.
Before I moved to Texas, I did a brief stint at Yahoo! International Planning & Operations because I was just curious and wanted to work for an online media company. That’s was fun.
I joined Noonday Collection in 2015, a
private startup out of Austin. It’s an amazing purpose driven brand that work with artisans from all over the world, providing dignified jobs. I led Design, Merchandising, Production, Sourcing/Partner Management (over 30 partners around the world), Inventory Buying, Planning and Management, And the Operations/Fulfillment Team.
I have tapped into my Creative side later in life but I would say I love both the creative and planning and operations side of the business. I would say I am known for managing functions and people across functions in a way that optimizes the business and decision-making and delivering great results. I have an owner mindset and a great partner to CEOs and Founders.
What sets me apart?
– I am both strategic and operational. Strategic Planning with the ability to execute is a competitive advantage.
– I love to create from scratch or fix sub-optimal situations.
– I am a problem solver (big or small)
– I have deep resilience and can do attitude.
– I love building and developing teams and enjoy watching grow and reach their potential.
I’m proud of the last 25 years and going. I’ve always given it my all.
I started my own company because I didn’t want to just go into another role after a start-up that i joined closed its doors at the end of 2023. I wanted some flexibility and to take a little break from joining another company. I am having fun and learning to really take in the journey. Hitting 6 figures in year 1 and growing is something to be proud of I think.
Lastly and certainly not the least, I proud of being a mom to 2 amazing kids. I’ve always been a working mom and it is hard. Nobody sees the sleepless nights when they are babies and toddlers while having to go in and work a full day and truly be effective. As they get older, juggling school, sports, other activities on top of a challenging role at work. But I see it all as privilege and a gift. It’s a privilege to get to do things you enjoy, and to get to do things that challenge you while watching your little ones grow up. I’m grateful for all
of it.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve always thought of myself as risk-adverse but I’m not afraid to take risks. As I’ve gotten older, I have this insane belief and mindset that everything will be ok.
My view of “Failing” and “Failure” has changed. I used to be scared of it. Now it’s just an event NOT an identity. Amazing human beings fail but it doesn’t make them failures. Once you understand that, it gives you the freedom to take risks.
I do think it helps to have a Plan B. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.awinkfoyellow.com
- Instagram: @awinkofyellow
- Facebook: @awinkofyellow
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/shielagwalker
