We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shahara Wright. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shahara below.

Shahara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

I am sure every business owner has been through technological problems and delays when it comes to websites. In launching a new product, we opted to go with a well-known hosting site, but one that internally, we were unfamiliar with. The launch was supposed to happen nearly two years ago, but has been significantly delayed.

The first issue is obvious; the Pandemic that no one knew would change the world we live in.  The second was that we could not find the right web programmers and designers.  We are on our third set, and while this group is significantly better, there are still delays and problems.  The third (and definitely not the final) is life! Our team has dealt with death, health challenges, weather challenges, and lack of mobility.  It caused the product to be in perpetual “Coming Soon” mode.  It’s not something that I am happy about.

Needless to say, it has been frustrating and many times I have just wanted to abandon the project. However, this new product will allow us to move forward and is a launching pad for many future endeavors. Therefore, it really is an important part of our strategic plan. Our only remedy is to keep moving forward.

While it is not completely resolved, there is some good news! We are getting good feedback on our test products.  People that we have spoken to when we first decided to launch the product are actively waiting for it to be ready.  We have brought in several partners, and we have not lost support.

What I personally have learned is that great things take time.  Understanding how a product or service integrates with your strategic plan means that you can determine whether the costs and delays are worth it. This has been a humbling experience but one I am happy to joke about once it does exactly what I know it will do and create a better foundation for the future of our business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Shahara Wright.  I am a business and nonprofit law attorney and I have been practicing for over 20 years.  When I graduated from law school, many moons ago, I knew that I wanted to work with small businesses and nonprofit organizations. So, I started my law practice to do just that.  Now, I work as general counsel for those same companies and organizations.

The product that we are working so hard to bring to the public is Contracts Done Wright.  We provide business templates to entrepreneurs and micro-businesses who do not have the budget for custom contracts and forms.  The attorneys and professionals who work with us are all professionals and knowledgeable in their field.  This ensures that business owners, like you, have what they need to protect their business.

I am most proud of being a mom to two wonderful boys and being able to show them that they can create the life that they want.  I care about small business, because I am a part of the small business community, I represent the small business community, and I advocate for the small business community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am a single mother running a business full time!  It seems like a basic answer, but that is the resilience.  If you are a full-time business owner, then you know that it is not easy and takes a lot of time, energy, and resources.  If you are a single parent, the same is true.  So, putting these two things together makes it twice as hard.

I am blessed to have two wonderful boys. Because of their age difference (11 years apart), I have the opportunity to spend time with them both in different ways. One of my happiest days was seeing my eldest son graduate from college.  I had him while I was in law school, and I was able to finish school on time and pass the bar on the first try.  Watching him graduate made me proud because I was able to support him while living my dream and he had a chance to experience that.

My youngest has ADHD and needs a lot of support.  I spend more time than I would like to admit at his school. There are a lot of “out of office” days marked on my calendar.  In spite of the challenges, he is heading to an elite high school, is a highly skilled coder, and loves robotics.

As a business owner for more than 20 years, my biggest accomplishment is not what I have done in my business, but what I was able to provide for my family because of my business. It has been a struggle and it has not been easy. I really don’t want to sell the lie of business ownership being something like walking on the beach every day. It is hard work. But the hard days are worth it when you see the reason that you are working so hard, bear fruit.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I care!  I care about my clients, and I care about their business. Throughout the years of working with small businesses and nonprofits, I have let my clients know that I care about the strength of their business and its survival.  My very first client was a daycare owner; 20 years later she still calls me her attorney. I am proud of that because it is not just about the work that I produce (there are a lot of business law attorneys out there), but it is about the care and concern that I show.

In 2009, I helped set up a nonprofit for a client.  Ten years later, they contacted me stating that they still remembered me and wanted me to help them with a few legal matters. Even now, they call when they need services.  To remember who you worked with ten years ago means something and I don’t take that lightly.

I take the time to understand my clients and the business that they want to build. I make sure that we are creating what they want and not what I think they should have. This means listening and understanding their story and how they work.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thewrightlawyer.com
• Instagram: http://www.instgram.com/therealwrightlawyer
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thewrightlawyer
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/thewrightlawyer
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/shaharawright

Image Credits
City of Missouri City