Dr. Letitia Wright, the CEO behind Wright Place Studios, is a living example of embracing the power of the pivot. Dr. Wright achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a Chiropractic Physician before encountering a pivotal setback that propelled her into an entirely new space: the dynamic world of TV hosting and producing.
In a tumultuous world, many of us face pivots both personally and professionally. Whether they are planned or sudden, Dr. Wright believes we all have what it takes to make a successful and graceful transition. In her words, a pivot could be described as “Taking what you have and applying those skills to a new industry or way of thinking. You don’t always have to tear everything down and start over because, with a pivot, you are starting from wisdom and experience.”
We sat down with Dr. Letitia Wright to learn about the power of the pivot.
Share your background and the initial transition from chiropractic care to television hosting.
Most people mistake the D.C. in my name for a nod to growing up in the District of Columbia. Imagine their surprise when they learn the truth! Because I am a 20-year veteran of the television industry, they are usually shocked to learn that I am a Doctor of Chiropractic Care.
My childhood dream was to become a doctor, and my family always supported my dream.
Yet, despite the support of my family and my passion for serving patients, I faced financial struggles with my practice after graduation. I was always good at serving clients and easing their pain, but no one had ever prepared me for the business component of running a successful medical practice. Unfortunately, it wasn’t something they teach in medical school, and I struggled to find a mentor, something I consider a critical obstacle that led to the eventual closure of my practice.
My communication skills and innate curiosity translated between industries and served me well. Realizing I could translate my skills, I transitioned into the media field—hosting, producing, editing, and graphics. I taught myself everything and learned from established experts int he field.
How did you stay resilient even when faced with such a huge setback?
Moving on from my original dream was tough. When you have devoted years of your life to something, letting that dream go does sting. It’s so important to have compassion for yourself when facing a transition, whether you chose the transition, or the transition was out of your control. It takes time to find your footing in a new industry and to start dreaming again. Being kind to myself was crucial to developing my resilience and facing setbacks gracefully. I’ve had my fair share of challenging, rock-bottom moments. Still, through transitioning into the media and entrepreneurship world, I’ve discovered so much about myself that I never would have found otherwise. I have developed as a personal and professional in unexpected ways.
You have been quoted saying that a pivot is “starting from experience.” Expand on that concept. Our world is constantly changing, and because of that, people are also continually changing and evolving. Whenever I meet someone facing a pivot or career change, I encourage them to take an inventory of their skills and specialties. Are you excellent with customer service? Do you have a passion for sales? Knowing my strengths and weaknesses was crucial to my successful pivot. Understand what areas you are gifted in and take the time to cultivate and develop those strengths. It might require time and effort, but knowing your abilities will help you seamlessly translate them to another industry.
Remember: If you have used those skills in one area, it becomes easier to apply them to another. Any time you are facing a fork in the road, focus on the areas in which you excel, and you’ll find your way to success much easier.
What advice do you have for anyone facing a career pivot in their professional lives?
It might be hard at first but be open to the idea that all your experiences can lead to an incredibly exciting pivot and the realization of your new dreams. We constantly evolve, change, grow, and learn as we are exposed to new environments, ways of life, and experiences.
Embrace change with an open mind and focus on leveraging your experiences and skills. Be intentional about placing yourself in environments with people and perspectives that will force you to grow and expand. Every time I teach in a new country with an international business school, I am tasked with learning a new culture, new demeanor, and a new set of societal standards—this helps me remain adaptable and flexible for any changes around the Riverbend.
Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities, even if they initially seem daunting. Your setbacks can lead to new beginnings; each experience will contribute to your growth and resilience.
What exciting developments are you currently working on?
I recently launched a second TV series, Better World, which focuses on uplifting people by doing incredible things to improve their communities and the world. With all the negativity in the world, I wanted to spread positive media and remind people that their contributions genuinely make a difference.
For more information on Dr. Letitia Wright,
visit wrightplacetv.com.
You can also watch her on Wright Place TV and Better World on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or AppleTV.