Inspiring Woman - Haylie Grammer

 So when I first came up with this idea, one of the first people that came to mind for me to ask to be a part of it was this amazingly beautiful woman and my childhood best friend, Haylie Grammer!!! It all started at the age of 9, when I was really tall, and Haylie was really short!! She didn't comment on the color of my skin...which would have been super easy, being that I'm black, and she is white...instead, all she said was, "Wow...you're really tall!!" We instantly became friends, and over the years, through many ups and downs, have remained friends. There has never been a time being her friend where my skin color ever came up. As a matter of fact, Haylie, in many ways, made it a point to always make sure I felt comfortable in my skin and being my complete and authentic self, and never made me feel like I needed to change who I was. I have ALWAYS been inspired by Haylie, even as we were growing up, but definitely now as an adult, and watching the things that she has gone through and the path that she has made for herself and her family. Her strength, determination, courageousness, and strive to not only be the best version of herself, but to also help other women be the best versions of themselves are hands down the best parts of who she is in my opinion. She's a complete BOSS, and my life has forever been changed because she has been in it. I am beyond thankful that she agreed to be featured, and am beyond super proud to be her friend. 

I introduce you to the AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL, Haylie Grammer

*Generally speaking, what was your childhood like?

Generally I had a great childhood. My family was your typical working class family who went to church multiple times a week. My parents worked really hard to make sure that my brother and I had everything that we ever needed and honestly, wanted. Growing up in a small town had its challenges at times, but overall it was not a rough life. I do completely recognize my privilege that I had growing up and I know without a shadow of a doubt that this contributed to the ease of which I grew up.

*What have you learned over your lifetime that you’d like to share with the younger generation?

Live your life in the present. I was always a motivated person and was always in a hurry to grow up and be an adult. I think this was due to being a bit sheltered while growing up, but I wasn’t exposed to a great amount when I was young. This is turn led me to always wanting the next thing. If I could go back I would SLOW down and enjoy my time as a young adult more. I would also remind them that what other people say or think really actually doesn't matter at all. People’e opinion of you has absolutely no effect on your life, so stop taking them into consideration when making your decisions. Wear the outfit, post the picture, do the damn thing.

*What has the journey/process been like for you to get to where you are today?

It has been a long journey. Due to my desire to “grow up” and the impact that “purity culture” had on my understanding of life, I made a lot of decisions that I would make differently if I could go back. One thing that has remained constant is my willingness and desire to succeed though. I will stop at nothing to reach my goals. I also do not like being told “no” or that I am unable to do something. If I am challenged, I will do everything in my power to overcome the obstacle and prove the challenger wrong. All of this being said, I am a white person in America. My journey has been mine and has been hard at times, but I have had a clear advantage in reaching where I am today.

*What sacrifices have you had to endure to get to where you are today?

This was a hard one for me to answer. Looking back did I make sacrifices to get where I am today? Of course. But these sacrifices were not ones that particularly changed the trajectory of my life. For example, when working to get my Masters degree I was teaching full time and coaching cheerleading. Obviously there was a sacrifice of quality time with my husband while I was doing all of these things, but this sacrifice is nothing compared to what others have had to sacrifice.

*What do you do for a living?

I don't think there will ever be a time in my life where I am doing just one “job.” I am a hustler at heart and I am driven by the dollar. I hold multiple positions. I am a part-time History Professor. I am a top leader in a Direct Sales Company. I am an internet blogger/influencer (believe me, I am gagging as I write that.) I am a business owner. I am a wife. I am a mom.

  

   

    

*What motivates you the most?

Protecting those that I love. I often talk about money being a motivator, but if I am to look deeper, the real reason that I work so hard to make money is to create a life that will protect my family and set my daughter up for a future. It all goes back to protecting myself and those that I care about. Money = Safety in this world.

*You are a complete BOSS…as a woman, why do you feel like creating this path for yourself was/is necessary?

I mentioned earlier that I am a white woman so therefor I am privileged in this society. But I am still a woman. Women are at a disadvantage in this country and I know that in order to ensure the long-term safety of myself and my family I must continue to hustle. I will never be content as long as someone can take away the safety of myself and my family.

*What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always knew I wanted to be a “teacher.” Growing up I thought this would play out with me being a typical teacher. I even taught High School for almost ten years. As I got older I began to discover that there were so many more ways to “teach” than to spend all day in a classroom. I still teach in a classroom part time as a history professor, but I have come to realize that my actual joy in teaching comes from teaching other women ways that they can take control of their own future. It sounds strange to some, but this is what I love Direct Sales so much. In no other industry can women start from the bottom and work their way to freedom. Not only do I mean financial freedom, but also freedom from destructive and abusive relationships and situations. I get the most joy in my career from helping women find their own voice and showing them how to use it to secure their future.

*Do you think a person needs to first overcome serious setbacks or challenges to be truly successful?

Yes, and no. Privilege is REAL. Some people are literally born into success and are able to take that success and make it even more. What I think people really need in order to be successful is drive and grit. All the money and privilege in the world will not create real success if the person who has it doesn't have the drive and grit to actually make something of it. I do think that drive and grit are more often taught to and seen in those who have faced challenges and/or setbacks.

*What would you like your children and grandchildren to remember about you?

I hope that my daughter and future grandchildren (if she decides to have children) will remember me as someone who fought not only for my own success, but also for the success of all women. I hope that I make enough of an impact that they are proud of me and share my story with others. I hope that I inspire them to use the advantages they have in life to help those that do not have the same advantages. I hope they look back and think, “Damn, she was a badass bitch and I will be even better, stronger, and happier.”

*What is your greatest hope?

My greatest hope is that the world that my daughter grows up in and starts her adult life in is different than the world I grew up in. I hope that she has more chances to succeed and that the glass ceiling is chipped away by then. I hope that the world that she lives in will be a world in that justice shines through and racism, sexism, homophobia, and general hate are not tolerated. I hope that she gets the chance to change the world.

Super beyond thankful to not only be friends with Haylie, but also that she agreed to participate in this feature. Haylie is a complete BOSS and doing AMAZING things in the world!! Please go check out and follow her website and Instagram (both listed below). 

Website: www.hayliegrammer.com

insta: @hayliegrammer

Lots of Love 💙

Rebekah