We were lucky to catch up with Conrad Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Conrad, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I’m extremely happy to be a business owner considering the obstacles I overcame. I started out hustling in the streets at an early age before I was old enough to get a job. When I became of age my first job was washing dishing at a small restaurant. I did that for almost a year then I worked at a burger spot for a few months then I got a job at a bank where I worked at for 6 years. I made decent money at the time but it wasn’t enough so I kept my side hustle in the streets until I got in trouble. I lost my job at the bank and become a bootlegger, selling cds and dvds. I made great money and realized that I never wanted to work again. I decided that I wanted to be a full time entrepreneur. I had been interested in making t-shirts since high school. I started out making press on t-shirts at home. A friend of mine sold me a screen printing press. I had no clue how to work it or the process to do it. I did a lot of research trying to figure out how to operate the press. Later down the line I met a guy who taught me everything I wanted to know about printing t-shirts and more. I started Stay Focused Digital Imaging in 2006 and have been in business since then. I can’t imagine having a normal job because I’ve been doing my own thing for so long. I’m my own boss and I love it. I have the freedom to do whatever I want to do and I wouldn’t give that up for nothing. I enjoy my customers and being a positive figure in the community. I look forward to taking my business to the next level. I’ve come too far to turn back now.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I specialize in screen printing for businesses, churches, schools, organizations etc for bulk orders. I have 20 years of experience. I also offer embroidery services too. I can work with just about any image especially if the resolution is good. I create designs from pencil sketches and ideas easily. I make thoughts reality for my customers. I work six days a week and open on most holidays.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In December of 2020 I got shot and wasn’t able to work for several months. The gunshot wound resulted in me being paralyzed from the waist down. I didn’t know how I was going to move forward without the use of my legs. I had to rethink everything and look at life through a new lens. I knew that I didn’t want to give up on my business or get a job. I got motivated by my friends and my mother to keep going. Screen printing from a wheelchair isn’t what I’m accustomed to doing but I’m getting the job done. Determination and perseverance keeps me going. I refuse to give up.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Keeping my word and being honest with my customers is part of it. Learning everything I can about my field to better assist my customers and those in field also. I do a lot of networking in the community and word of mouth has done great things for my reputation. Word of mouth has gotten me in places that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own. Social media has also been a great tool in building reputation. Receiving positive feedback has been a factor no doubt.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: stayfocuseddi
• Facebook: stay foused digital imaging
• Youtube: stayfocuseddi

Image Credits

photos by: Conrad Wright