ABOUT RANDY

Camilla, Ga. native Randy D. Williams was born an entrepreneur. He spent his childhood pursuing various startups, including attempts to sell pages from his favorite magazines. In 2014, he started his most successful business to date: Talley & Twine Watch Company. With a love for watches and his simple sketches, the Albany State University alum launched a renowned line of watches and accessories for men and women. Randy and Talley & Twine have been featured by The New York Times, CBS News, the Associated Press, AT&T Business, Black Enterprise, Essence, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Ebony, and other national and international media outlets.

When Randy designed the Talley & Twine watches, he did away with most of the numbers, leaving each watch face with a lone 7. The number 7 represents completion and serves as a reminder to start what you finish. For Randy, Talley & Twine is the culmination of decades of hard work, determination, and trial and error. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Albany State University—where he was active in several organizations including Delta Mu Delta National Business Honor Society and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.—Randy worked in sales and embarked upon several business ventures in real estate and eCommerce. In 2010, he self-published his first book, Be a King, to inspire young men to lives of leadership and purpose. His second book, 7 Questions Every Young Leader Must Answer, was published in 2013. He paired his books with his personal experiences to speak to college students and organizations about leadership and personal development.

Not only is Randy a business leader, but he is also a commercial real estate investor and has also devoted his life to philanthropy and community service. He was named Hampton Roads Black Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year and has earned numerous awards, including the CoVA Biz Community Impact Award. He is also a founding member of Visionaries for Change, a giving circle and endowed fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation that provides support for charitable causes in the Black community. Most recently, Talley & Twine established a $10,000 business scholarship at Albany State University. Randy lives in Portsmouth, Va. with his wife, DeAnne, and their daughter, Nyla.