Meet AJ Williams | Business Owner/Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with AJ Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AJ, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
“Why should White Guys have all the fun?” by Reginald Lewis.

I read this book early on in my professional corporate career. It was an eye opener because as an African American professional working in corporate America, there weren’t many examples of African American professionals, let alone entrepreneurs. The book was really a fun read, as I’ve always loved business topics. And, for me to read about someone from a similar background buying a billion dollar company, was great. But, more importantly, I think it planted a thought in my mind about one day becoming an entrepreneur. While Hammond’s didn’t cost a billion dollars, I still felt the same level of independence, gratitude, and entrepreneurship as Reginald Lewis.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I went to school here in San Diego. I received both my Bachelors and MBA from SDSU. I went on to work in corporate America for 25 years. It was all I knew. I had never done anything else my whole life, so it sort of became comfortable and dependable. However, in 2019, the company I was working for decided to sell the business. This presented changes for everyone in the company, and now things were moving in a direction that I didn’t have control of. As the company made changes to staffing and its strategy, I used the closing of one door as an opportunity to open another. While working through my 25 years corporate career, I would find myself day dreaming about being a entrepreneur. I loved the idea of managing my own business using the skills I had acquired over the years. So, when I made the pivot to become a full time entrepreneur, it was a dream come true. But, it was also very scary. I had planned well over the years, saved up money, and prepared as much as I could. However, nothing can prepare you for being out on your own. It is exhilarating and terrifying all at once. But, now that it is done, and I’m going on 3 years as a full time entrepreneur, I would recommend it for everyone. Everyone should pivot in their life from having one career to another. It helps to grow and develop you as a person. You see capabilities in yourself that you otherwise might not realize if you did the same thing for a lifetime.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego is a great city with so much to do. Where else can you live and be 15 minutes from the ocean/beach, and under 2 hours from the desert, the mountains, and Los Angeles. The perfect week in San Diego would include the following:

1) Spending a day on Coronado Island and taking the ferry over to Seaport Village
2) A night Downtown to include dinner at Roy’s and Drinks at Born and Raised Rooftop bar
3) A day a Liberty Station
4) Mission Beach for classic California beach experience
5) A day in Balboa park/Museums
6) A day walking through North Park to include lunch at City Taco’s and dessert at Hammond’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Hard to imagine having to give a shoutout to someone who has helped me get to where I am in life and not mention my parents. My New Orleans southern upbringing was critical to everything I’ve become in life. My parents didn’t plan out my life in terms of laying out exactly where I would go to school, what my career would be, my family life, etc. However, they laid down great foundational principles for me to follow that would guide me. Work hard….very hard. Treat others as you would have them treat you. Use your common sense. Educate yourself. Strive for financial independence.

Website: www.hammondsgourmet.com

Instagram: @hammondsicecream

Facebook: @hammondsgourmeticecream

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hammonds-gourmet-ice-cream-san-diego