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Mena & Shantee Wright: Wright Productions
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BLACK TABLE
What do Floyd Mayweather, Kenya Barris, and the 1500 Or Nothin music collective have in common? They all depend on sisters Mena and Shantee Wright, co-founders of Wright Productions, to produce and execute large-scale, headline-grabbing events.
Their high-end production, event design, and brand management firm has evolved into one of the premier experiential marketing agencies in Los Angeles.
It wasn’t always this way for the sisters. Back in college, Mena, the eldest, founded a nonprofit focused on mentoring young teenage girls. Based in San Diego, fundraising was a big focus for her organization, and she soon realized she needed creative events to help encourage donations. After years of cutting her teeth informally in the nonprofit sector, her younger sisters, Iyana and Shantee, joined her efforts. “We started doing small fundraising dinners and things of that nature, and someone invited an NFL player to come to one of our events… he loved it, so then he asked us to do his fashion show,” Mena shared. Forever the entrepreneur, there was no way the sisters were going to turn down the opportunity. “Sure, we had never done a fashion show in our entire life, but we ended up doing the fashion show, and then it just kind of took a life of its own….” By 2011 the sisters formally created Wright Productions and have not looked back.
"[Floyd Mayweather] is by far one of our favorite clients because he 100% trusts us and lets us come up with the ideas and execute."
“It’s really just been a blessing to have a company that's been sustained from the beginning until now, and we've had a lot of longevity,” said Shantee. “Of course, you have everyday ups and downs, but overall I believe that Wright Production continues to stand the test of time.” Both sisters agree that a significant factor contributing to their success is their ability to roll with the punches at only a moment’s notice. “[Floyd Mayweather] is by far one of our favorite clients because he 100% trusts us and lets us come up with the ideas and execute,” gushes Mena when reflecting on standout moments of her career, including the last several years producing various Mayweather extravaganzas. Despite only giving them 72 hours one year to create an entire birthday weekend affair, Wright Productions was able to knock it out of the park. “Clients see that, and then we become the go-to girls to get last-minute stuff done.” Shantee chimes in with a laugh, “It's usually a big production from A to Z, with a lot of design, a lot of strategic partnerships, and the budgets are always great!”
Speaking of partnerships, both Mena and Shantee recognize that those valuable relationships can decide between success and failure in their world of experiential marketing events and consulting. “People aren't purchasing our event planning skills per se; they’re purchasing our energy. Even during really challenging times, we've found a way to keep that energy within the thread of our company and with our clients,” explains Mena before continuing. “Most of our clients are repeat-we don't do a lot of marketing.” As a thank you to their loyal clients and supporters during the pandemic, Wright Productions pivoted and began installing luxury VIP tents on hospital grounds, stocked with comfortable seating, shade, and food for all first responders to enjoy.
Currently, the sisters are partnering with Dr. Holly Carter and BET Casting Director Robi Reed to produce the Merge awards, a faith-based conference, and ceremony in October 2021. They also have been inundated with private events and project requests that have kept them on their toes. To remain anchored during these busy times, both sisters credit family as being their primary inspiration. “We would have started any kind of company and figured things out, so it's just about us working together as a family,” shared Mena. Shantee continued, “We love the dynamic of being sisters and working together… being able to be creative.”
Follow Mena and Shantee at:
IG: @wrightprods_
TW: @wrightprods_
YT: @YESPRODSTV
wrightprods.com
Also read about:
William P. Miller | Tammy Dickerson | Leslie Jones | Lauren Montgomery
Speaking of partnerships, both Mena and Shantee recognize that those valuable relationships can decide between success and failure in their world of experiential marketing events and consulting. “People aren't purchasing our event planning skills per se; they’re purchasing our energy. Even during really challenging times, we've found a way to keep that energy within the thread of our company and with our clients,” explains Mena before continuing. “Most of our clients are repeat-we don't do a lot of marketing.” As a thank you to their loyal clients and supporters during the pandemic, Wright Productions pivoted and began installing luxury VIP tents on hospital grounds, stocked with comfortable seating, shade, and food for all first responders to enjoy.
Currently, the sisters are partnering with Dr. Holly Carter and BET Casting Director Robi Reed to produce the Merge awards, a faith-based conference, and ceremony in October 2021. They also have been inundated with private events and project requests that have kept them on their toes. To remain anchored during these busy times, both sisters credit family as being their primary inspiration. “We would have started any kind of company and figured things out, so it's just about us working together as a family,” shared Mena. Shantee continued, “We love the dynamic of being sisters and working together… being able to be creative.”
Follow Mena and Shantee at:
IG: @wrightprods_
TW: @wrightprods_
YT: @YESPRODSTV
wrightprods.com
Also read about:
William P. Miller | Tammy Dickerson | Leslie Jones | Lauren Montgomery
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