Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin Wright

Hi Calvin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Greetings, my name is Calvin Wright, but I prefer to be called by C.J. It’s a privilege to have this opportunity with you guys thank you. I just wanted to take some time and tell you guys about how I have gotten to where I am today. I can honestly always say that even as a young kid I knew I wanted to work for myself or at least make sure I was living a life centered around doing the things that fulfilled me or made me happy. Playing basketball was actually one of the things that helped me realize that. When I was 16 years old I was awarded a scholarship to play at a prep school all the way in Mississippi where we played a national schedule. The next year I would go on to play at another high school in New Jersey where I would graduate from. I then would go on to play ball in college. While having the opportunity to play for all these different places that took me everywhere and gave me exposure, it showed me something. It opened up my eyes to being able to see a life where I could travel, do what I love, and have resources supplied for me all at the same time. Living like this since high school made it very easy for me to conclude that this is how I wanted to live my life for the rest of my life. It also showed me that my gifts and talents can open up doors for me and provide me with opportunities that didn’t seem normal for most people. Once I graduated college, I would always keep these experiences close to my heart, but since I did not pursue basketball professionally, I did have to go get a job. Having to take on a 9-5 job was the exact opposite of what I had been experiencing in my high school and college days and it wasn’t as fulfilling either. I spent a decade working in the mental health field working my way up to the program supervisor of the mental health agency. Although working in the mental health field was very rewarding due to the fact that I was able to help people in direct need. It wasn’t the same to me as when I had the opportunity to travel playing ball and doing what I loved. I wanted to be in a position to help people because that is what I am the most passionate about, but I just needed a different way to do it. So, because of this I took some time to pray and talk to God and figure out what can I do to get back to vision I had for myself previously. With time and patience, I began to get the answers I needed which led me on a path to slowly pursue entrepreneurship. I knew I had a lot of experience playing basketball, so I started with opening up a basketball skills training business where I could help young athletes chase their dreams and goals on the court just as I once did. I also knew this would give me a form of influence where I could help mentor because I had already made it to a place that they were currently working to get too. Me seeing how I could make a difference in the lives of others around me would eventually motivate me to write a book. I would go on to write my first book The Wright Step Foward The Four Quarters of Success. I knew with the wisdom and experience I gained from life and working in mental health I had a unique but yet helpful perspective I could give to the world. One of the biggest factors in me deciding to put that perspective and experience in a book was the fact that I knew I couldn’t be everywhere at once, but I knew I could put it into a book, and it could go to places that I couldn’t. It’s major for me to motivate people to live out their dreams and become the best version of themselves as I am aspiring to do for myself daily. This has led to me being an author, coach, trainer, real estate investor as well as an actor. I have been blessed to be a part of different independent movies, local commercials, and even had a super bowl commercial air this year for Chartway Federal Credit Union. The journey itself has been very challenging but very well worth it. It has shown me things about myself that I did not know and pushed me in ways that I didn’t know I needed until the time presented itself. I am looking forward to what the future holds

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 road has not been smooth at all. I have had a lot of struggles along the way. For starters when you are stepping out on faith you tend to second guess things a lot. You don’t have a direct road map, so it becomes easy to question if you are really doing the right thing. You never really know what the right move is because everyone’s journey is different, and you have to make the decisions that best align with your goals and situation at that current time. Also, as an entrepreneur financially there are a lot of ups and downs. You never know what you will make each month, but it doesn’t stop your bills from coming around. Lastly, every day is up to you. It is a different level of discipline. Everything that happens to and for your business is decided by the actions you take or don’t take. Your success is truly in your hands and there is no one else to blame. We as humans are creatures of habits and as an entrepreneur your habits get magnified. How your business maybe thriving or not be thriving is a direct correlation to whatever habits you have created along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

Ultimately, I would say I am a teacher and motivator. My business The Wright Step Forward consist of me being an author and basketball trainer. In each I teach people how to become the best version of themselves. If you were to look at my social media pages you would see a bunch of motivational videos of me speaking, all inspired by the premise of helping people grow into a better them. I think that’s one of the things that separates me from most, it’s the mindset and approach that I bring. I am very patient but yet I know what I want out of each thing I invest myself into and I teach people the same for themselves. I teach that one must learn to be patient yet relentless and be mentally tough enough to go get whatever it is that you’re working to obtain.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

One thing I like best about our city is that it’s home. It will always be home for me. It helped shape and mold me into who I am today, and I have gotten a lot of support from a lot of people over the years. Hampton is a mid-sized city that feels small. One thing that I like least about our city is sometimes it feels like there is a lack of development or when good things tend to come to the city, they have trouble lasting for long periods of time. I think that at times highlights that there can be a lack of support within the city when a lot of things are constantly coming and going

Pricing:

• Book Hardback copy $30
• Book Paperback copy $20
• Book Kindle Version $10
• Basketball Session $40/hr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewrightstepforward.com
• Instagram: @cjwright32
• Facebook: @Calvin CJ Wright
• Other: tiktok @cjwright32