In speaking with Kelz Wright, you get a sense of energy, presence and determination. But it wasn’t always that way. In fact it was quite the opposite. Self-described as shy, quiet, unseen, Kelz just wanted a place to fit in. Don’t we all.
Kelz The Persona
“This is wrong, you can’t do this, men are supposed to be this way. I was confused just trying to figure things out.” Growing up as a gay African-American man, Kelz struggled early in his childhood to find the right balance between who he was and who he knew was waiting to come out.
“This is not fair. I feel unseen. I’m going to make something of myself.”
Kelz Wright on redefining his identity
See also: Gent’s Talk: Ep 01 – A Sit Down w/ Russell Peters
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Coming from a small town in Florida, Kelz describes how limited options were. “You either were in the streets or trying to figure life out. I was just trying to fit in and be this cool person.” So what changed? Kelz credits a sudden shift in his thinking while at work one day. “I always wanted to be my own boss and I cannot do that being in this city. There’s nothing for me here. I have to get out.”
Vine
Remember the popular video app where people would share original videos and go viral? It was called Vine and it was Tik Tok before there was Tik Tok. “If not for Vine I would still be at home not knowing what to do with my life, not being my authentic self.” After going viral on Vine, Kelz found himself with a new manager and new surroundings after moving to the city of angels. “I’m coming from this trapped city so seeing people be expressive with their fashion, nobody was judgemental, it was great!”
Food Therapy
Kelz was on Tik Tok early on making videos and was seeing his videos do well before realizing that he just can’t do the same skits anymore. “Food network was literally my therapy. I remember coming home from school watching Martha Stewart and I would be inspired. I didn’t know how to cook but I would try to make them.” That’s when Kelz decided that food would be his next endeavour. “I’m still in awe that I’m viral just by reacting to food. It’s funny to me.”
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Kelz most recent endeavour is his new line of hot sauce. One he swears by and says was inspired while ordering hot wings at a restaurant. “I’d always get buffalo flavor with a side of lemon pepper sauce,” and that’s how Flava’s was created. “It’s different, it’s almost like a remix of hot sauce, I wanted to think outside of the box and allow my supporters and others to experience what my taste buds like. I’m for sure the world will enjoy Flava’s.”
Final Thoughts
“Patience. It’s extremely hard. You can get discouraged when things don’t go the way you want. When you want something right, you have to call the shots.” A lot of lessons being learned on Kelz’ journey as a self-made entrepreneur.
For more information on the popular sauce, visit the official website at www.flavashotsauce.com.
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Feature image credit Charles McDougald
