Serena Williams is a household name for being one of the world’s top athletes. But that’s not why NRF has invited her to speak at the Shop.org conference coming up in September.
Most of us know the story of Williams’ complete dominance in tennis. Even Roger Federer recently called her “the greatest player of all time.” But that’s just one side of Williams. Off the court, she’s racking up wins as a businesswoman, advocate and mother.
Businesswoman
Williams previously worked on limited clothing collections with Nike and HSN, but earlier this year, she launched her own clothing line called “Serena,” sold exclusively on her website. Add retailer and designer to her list of accomplishments.
Today, I am excited to introduce @ShopSerena, my own online shop: https://t.co/4tHKDgNgX9 pic.twitter.com/uoY0EvurBz
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 30, 2018
Advocate
Williams uses her influence to draw attention to social issues that matter. Whether it’s fighting for equal pay for women, pointing out that the gender pay gap is worse for women of color or, as in Nike’s ad for International Women’s Day, saying “There’s no wrong way to be a woman,” Williams recognizes the power of her voice and lends it to support what she believes in.
Serena Williams: Until We All Win Nike Ad
Video of Serena Williams: Until We All Win Serena Williams: Until We All Win Nike Ad
Competitor
When Williams is in the game, everyone’s game is elevated. After her loss at the Wimbledon final (just 10 months after the birth of her daughter and a life-threatening pulmonary embolism), Williams described what’s like to play everyone at her best. “Every single match I play, whether I’m coming back from a baby, or surgery, or it doesn’t matter … these young ladies bring a game I’ve never seen before … . That’s what makes me great. I always play everyone at their greatest, so I have to be greater.”
I asked Serena Williams if she minded always being the one to beat.
Her answer blew me away. #Wimbledon @serenawilliams @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XsHI26FSi4— Jamie Johnson (@JamieoJohnson) July 7, 2018
Mother
Newly married with a baby at home, Williams opened up about her private life and her difficult journey into motherhood in HBO’s documentary series “Being Serena.” It’s a side of Williams that many have never seen before. The series put a spotlight on her personal brand while at the same time revealing that even the world’s greatest athlete struggles to “have it all” like any other woman. That impressive multidimensional view of Williams prompted InStyle to put her on the cover of its “Badass Women” issue.
A post shared by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on Jun 26, 2018 at 5:00am PDT
“She’s a champion, mother, wife, businesswoman, and one of the greatest tennis players of all time — but she’s also just Serena,” the magazine wrote. “Someone who’s a badass is incredibly confident and unapologetically herself. And she doesn’t care what anyone else says — but in a positive, not a negative, way. It’s more like standing up for yourself and others.”
We agree. Williams has something to say that’s well worth listening to — and we can’t wait to hear it. Join us! Attend Shop.org 2018 in Las Vegas, Sept. 12-14.