Hidden Gems: Meet Shaun & Mycah Maye-Williams of Maye-Williams Active

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun & Mycah Maye-Williams. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Maye-Williams Active™ is a 100% Black-owned activewear company founded in 2018 by husband and wife duo Shaun and Mycah Maye-Williams. Our brand’s main mission is to offer high-quality and fun activewear to people who are often overlooked and under represented in the fitness space. Our apparel is created with the intention to represent different skin tones, genders, shapes, and sizes and for all people to feel amazing in their skin on their fitness journey. At Maye-Williams Active™, representation is key and we want go above and beyond to provide the best activewear experience on this journey of inclusion. We’re proud all our apparel is non-gendered labeled. We offer activewear, socks, hats, and basketballs. Our Motto: #StayActive! Anyway you know how.

Covid-19 has challenged us in many ways personally and business-wise. My wife and I had to cancel our wedding due to the pandemic but it challenges our marriage early on by using our personal savings from the wedding to uproot our company. In the wake of black lives matter movement. It showed us representation and ownership is vital. And we wanted to do our part in showing people of color especially women that we see you and can’t stand for you to be overlooked anymore. We can’t express how many people thank our brand for the values we stand for and we show that through our activewear and build relationships with our family members(customers). We pivoted by allowing our community to vote of the activewear we launch and share videos of all body types on our Instagram and website. This is just the beginning; we have gotten the attention of a know wedding article page called wedding chicks and Shopify has reached out to us to share our story which now has over 14 million views, we’ve partnered with Space Jam New Legacy and sponsored their event with our basketballs. We’ve been voted business of the year by CSDBCC and #1 breathable socks by Cosmopolitan.

Our mission is to improve lives with purpose that means external throughout our activewear and internal within our corporate structure. We will be the most diverse sports/activewear company in the world from top to bottom. I truly believe that is our competitive advantage being minority lead and diverse. Not only having minority athletes and influencers sponsor or endorse our brand. But have them reflect our core values and being executive leaders at the table.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Challenges are delays in shipment, lead time for products due to the pandemic process through customs.

As you know, we’re big fans of Maye-Williams Active. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My wife and I canceled our wedding and started this all-inclusive Activewear Brand for people to feel free and safe in their own skin no matter their body type, skin tone, or age. Maye-Williams Active is made with YOU in mind.

We always handwrite a thank you note with all our orders. What readers should know about our brand is when you support our Maye-Williams Active all our products are custom made with high-quality material and fabric, we are affordable and 100% black-owned. We thinking about everybody to support them on their fitness journey. And every time we receive an order, it literally brings a smile to our face that you believe in us and our products.

What were you like growing up?
Shaun- I’ve always been a curious person always the kid to ask why. I would travel all around town with friends riding bike and going on quests or adventures. I loved to be involved and in the mix. Looking for ways to improve things and not waiting for someone else to do it for me. In addition, helping others was very special to me with over 1,000 hours in community service giving back and lending a hand made me happy to see others happy. Fun fact: is I started playing baseball in 10th grade was the first time I touched a baseball. And I worked hard and was able to earn a Scholarship to Midland University in Nebraska and became the first Black pitcher at my college.

Mycah- I was dedicated to learning. I loved to read, to dance, to play my flute and to get better at everything I did. I was quiet and shy but when I did something, I was to the best of my ability. I still carry that to this day.

Pricing:

• Best breathable 3pk socks ($16.98-$18.98)
• Maskhoodie ($45)
• Sneak Peek Leggings ($35.98)
• Hyper-Duo shorts ($38.98)
• Sneak Peek Bra ($33.98)

Contact Info:

• Email: active@mayewilliams.com
• Website: MayeWilliamsActive.com
• Instagram: @MayeWilliamsActive

Image Credits:
Models: Sharon Clawson | @sharontheclaw Imani Powell | @imanipowell_ Miesha “Mimi” | @xomiesha | @kaysidds | @kimmbaby | @alyssaalexander_88
Photographer: B.P. Edwards | @bearvisionpnd Dalure | @dalure | @Mg.stills