NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 10, 2016) – Reality show personality, entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Toya Wright offered some hard-won advice about business and social media pettiness before a full crowd in Georges Auditorium on Oct. 21.
The New Orleans native of owner of Garb boutique, who first became widely known as the wife of recording artist Lil’ Wayne, made the New York Times best-selling list for her book, “Priceless Inspirations.” She also wrote “Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous” and is now promoting her latest, book, “In My Own Words…My Real Reality.”
Appearing at the Brain Food lecture series, Wright advised finding the right team and being careful with contracts.
She stressed how important it was to have a group of people you can connect with and who will bring the best out of you. Find people who want to eat just as badly as you do, and that’s how you’ll know you have the right people, she said.
Wright recalled how a publisher came to her while she was on BET’s “Tiny & Toya” and offered what she thought was the best deal ever. She said she hurriedly signed a contract only to learn she signed over all of her rights to the publishing company. She said she turned a bad situation into one of the best decisions of her life by starting her own publishing company.
She said, “Never let anyone kill your dreams, and come back 10 times harder.”
Wright said her latest book allows her to tell her truth without the stories being manipulated as they often are in social media. The book covers topics like social media pettiness, the recent killing of her two brothers, separation and divorce.
Wright said she always wants to represent the truth, so she sticks to being her true self on reality television.
“You cannot become a victim to people’s opinion of you,” she said. “You can love me or hate me, but I’m still me.”
She added, “Be careful who you share your ideas with and stay away from dream killers.”