BIV is proud to recognize Cory Wright, founder and president of William Wright Commercial, and 39 exceptional business leaders with 2022 Forty under 40 Awards.
Each recipient is featured in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine, and will be celebrated at an awards gala Feb. 22. Profiles of each award recipient – originally published in the magazine – will be available at biv.com in the days ahead.
Who or what is responsible for your work ethic?
My parents taught us at a young age that if you’re not the most talented person in the room, make sure you out-work everyone else and good things will happen.
What drives you?
My family and my amazing team of people at William Wright Commercial. A lot of people rely on me everyday and that is more motivation than I need as you have to deliver for your team.
A favourite book you would recommend?
Good to Great by Jim Collins. Good is the enemy of great. I remind myself of this everyday and encourage everyone to not settle for just being good at something – to push yourself to achieve great things.
Now that you are (or are close to) entering your 40s, what goals have you set for yourself?
Not to take success for granted. I feel we are just at the starting point of this journey and am looking to build on our success on a national level.
What was your childhood career dream?
Always having a passion for building businesses, I started with my first card shop in my parents’ garage at the age of nine. Having a love for real estate combined with my drive for business led me to where I am today.
What was your toughest business or professional decision?
Making the decision to expand our business rapidly during the COVID shut down and continuing to invest in our growth with little-to-no sales at the time.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Slow down and make sure you are doing the little things correctly.
What is your best habit?
My morning routine: Up at 3:30 a.m. to get a head start on the day and a 40-minute Peloton ride.
Tell us one improbable fact about yourself.
I’m a die-hard Nickelback fan.
Best piece of advice ever received?
Don’t tell me, show me. My dad would tell me this all the time when I was growing up and playing sports. It wasn’t until I was in my late 20s that this really sunk in.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
It’s not where you start but where you finish. The road to success has a lot of highs and lows, but staying focused on the task at hand usually results in a successful ending.
What career highlight are you most proud of?
Building the amazing team we have assembled across the province over the past 10 years at William Wright Commercial.
What’s left to accomplish?
We would like to build on our success in B.C. and look to take William Wright Commercial to a national level in the coming years.
Read the profiles of all 40 award recipients in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine. Register to recognize this year's winner at the Forty under 40 Awards gala on Feb. 22.
