Friends of the Brand: Ann Williams
Welcome to Friends of the Brand.
Our new series features women who inspire us in everyday life. We’re lucky enough to call them friends, and we think you should know them, too.
Meet Ann Williams. She’s a mother of two, breast cancer survivor and the founder of Yearly Co., a Nashville-based fine jewelry company.
Ann started Yearly Co. to help others mark milestones in meaningful ways, an intention she carries beyond her business. Her story, perspective and evolving definition of success remind us that it’s not just the big moments that deserve celebration. It’s all the little ones in between, too.
Q: What feels defining about your current season of life?
A: Gratitude and clarity. I came out on the other side of cancer treatment with a very clear sense of what matters and what’s just noise. This season feels like the most intentional one I’ve ever been in. I’m more present with my girls, more selective with my time and more committed to the rituals and routines that fill me up. I’m rebuilding my health, refocusing my business and exploring what might be next for me.
Q: How do you balance responsibilities while staying grounded?
A: I can hyperfixate on a project, a creative idea or just fully sink into time with friends and family, and I’m grateful for that ability. But I use a lot of tools and systems at work and in life to make sure I get things done efficiently. I ask for help, hire people who are great at the things I’m not and give myself grace when I don’t get it all done. The to-do list will be there tomorrow.
Q: What does a day in your life look like?
A: I wish I could say I was up before everyone else at a 6a workout class, but I love sleep so much. My husband knows me well enough to gently wake me up at 6:30 so I can get our girls moving for school. I’m in the office for meetings two days a week but spend more time at home now, working on creative content, getting a walk or a workout in or meeting a friend for coffee or lunch. As I’ve built my team at Yearly, I’m so grateful to be able to tailor my days to fit in my job, prioritize my health and spend time with the people I love.
Q: What products do you find yourself reaching for daily?
A: Sunscreen always and a good tinted moisturizer. I love a simplified routine using things that are actually effective and gentle. The Skin Pharm Gentle Rinse has become a staple. It never makes my dry, sensitive skin feel stripped. My 12-year-old steals it from my bathroom weekly, and I love that it’s safe and gentle enough for her to use, too. I love the scent and feel of the Uni body serum. A few makeup must-haves are the Typology tinted concealer, MAKE Beauty brow pencil and SOSHE Beauty blush.
Q: Outside of your role as founder of Yearly Co., what feels most essential to who you are?
A: Being a connector. I love bringing people together and talking openly about motherhood, life, business and all the joys and challenges that come with being human. I think I’ve always known that’s part of my purpose: to make people feel less alone and more celebrated.
Q: Has motherhood changed how you think about success or ambition? When did you notice a shift?
A: Absolutely. When my girls were little and I started making bangles in my garage, it was just a hobby to make a little money while they napped. As the business grew, I knew that building something meaningful mattered more to me than building something big. For me, success feels like having the flexibility to have seasons of leaning into work and seasons of picking my girls up from school. I’ve loved showing them what it looks like to build something without sacrificing quality time with them, which is still my absolute favorite thing.
Another big shift came with my diagnosis. I knew my daughters were watching me, and I thought about how they’d remember that time. I wanted them to see a woman who rested without guilt and let the people who love us help take care of our family. I wanted them to see a mom who was living a life and not just focusing on a business. And that terrible things can happen to all of us, but you can still find moments of joy and light even in the darkest days. That’s the version of success I’m aiming for now: never taking anything too seriously, not taking my health for granted and enjoying the life I’ve built both in and outside of my business.
Q: How did your diagnosis impact the way you think about women’s health?
A: It’s made me more intentional about understanding what’s happening in my body and encouraging others to do the same. I was 37, healthy and had zero symptoms other than finding a lump. I didn’t have the BRCA gene. There was no obvious reason for my diagnosis, and it still happened. I want to empower women to advocate fiercely for themselves with their doctors and get their screenings.
I also think we don’t talk enough about the emotional side of women’s health. The anxiety, the body image, the way illness can change your identity. I want to be a part of that conversation because it’s a powerful piece I didn’t fully understand before having breast cancer myself.
Q: In what ways do you hope to keep evolving?
A: I want to keep getting better at being present. Professionally, I’m excited to use my story and my platform to connect with more women, whether that’s through Yearly Co., my content or whatever comes next. I want to keep building a life that feels really good to me and leaves room for creativity, travel and lots of time with my people. The lessons I’ve learned over the past 10 years have been hard but so powerful. I just turned 40, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve experienced and keep putting my energy into what I love, am good at and know is right for me and my family.
