We had the good fortune of connecting with Rylee Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rylee, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
“No one is you and that is your power.” This a motto that I have lived by ever since I was a little girl and a motto that I hope others will strive to live by. When others hear my name, “Rylee Wright”, I hope they speak of how I took failure and setbacks as an opportunity to grow. Rejection is only redirection. We are all unique and special, and we can live to our greatest potential when we truly believe that we each hold a superpower. It is left up to us to use it and to use it for good.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Pageantry has been a significant part of my life. I have been involved in the pageant industry since the age of six. For most of my years, as a competitor but recently since retiring, I have been able to mentor young women from all over the US through my own business, Rylee Wright Consulting. We are a full-service consulting agency tailored to fit the needs of the client during their pageant journey a beyond. While I am no longer competing, I am working to grow both my consulting brand as well as my community organization, #iLikeMe, which encourages self-love, self-confidence, and kindness. These two ventures and pageantry in general are the largest reasons for my passion for marketing, branding, and creative design. My childhood sport and hobby inspired my professional career. At the age of 11, when #iLikeMe was first curated, I had no idea that this would be the stepping stone to what my career looks like almost 10 years later. Thankful is an understatement. I am proof that trial and error are key to success, and hard work is the secret to growth and opportunity. No matter the industry you are in!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Athens, Georgia is truly one of the best places on earth. I mean, GOOOO Dawgs! Sic ’em!

Five Points is personally my favorite spot in Athens – We would do dinner at Marker 7 Grill, El Barrio, or Sakura, brunch at Cafe on Lumpkin, and head over to Earthfare for a healthy treat – my personal favorite is Simple Mills choc chip cookies 🙂 !

I would go shopping downtown at Cheeky Peach, Dress Up, and Impeccable Pig!

Round out the trip with a walk down Milledge and a walk around campus because it is so beautiful!

I love living in Athens!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to highlight Alix Troupe McGovern. Alix is in her late 20’s, a hair and makeup artist, a 6th grade teacher who is recently married, and just had her first child, Malachi. She has been a part of my life since I was 8 years old.

I have sat in her chair more times than I can count as she has done my HMU for countless pageants and special events. Sitting in her chair is an honor, because she takes pride in her work and builds up my confidence before once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like national pageants, Miss Georgia Teen USA, and other important life events since I was a child. Alix didn’t discover that she was deaf until recent years and with the help of hearing aids, can live a more normal life without struggling to hear as she once did. She has been doing HMU professionally since she was 17 years old. She taught herself what hard work looked like, and that inspires me daily despite the setbacks and challenges that have been placed in her life. She works hard to provide for her family as a teacher and hair and makeup artist all while working to make an impact on each person she meets. Her story is special, and I am thankful to call her my “big sis” and mentor.

Thank you pageantry for introducing me to one of the most impactful individuals in my life!

Website: theryleewright.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theryleewright

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theryleewright/

Facebook: facebook.com/theryleewright

Image Credits
Allison Oliver Photography Repurposed Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.