An Inspired Chat with Anthony “A-WAY’ Holmes Jr

Anthony “A-WAY’ Holmes Jr shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Anthony “A-WAY’, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90mins of my day would involve, praying, reviewing my to do list for the day, a slight work out session & getting dressed and ready to attack the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Anthony “A-WAY” Holmes Jr, and I am an actor / music exec and owner of HUSTLE WARD Group including Hustle Ward Records & Hustle Ward Films. I also work with a team of friends to host one of the top spoken word events in Chicago every Wednesday night called PenFlow Writing sessions with plans to expand nationwide. I am a creative at heart that expands many different ways. I have signed a distribution partnership for Hustle Ward records with Roc Nation Distribution and helped develop several artists. I have started and featured in multiple films including BET + TV series “I Gotta Story to Tell”. I find passion in leaving a legacy that will not only be remembered forever but inspire people of all aspects that, dreams in whatever your passion is, are achievable without selling your soul, but with hard work, being a good person, educating yourself and most importantly God.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
From as earliest as I can remember, I was put in front of crowds to perform and be seen, from talent shows with my uncle or performing at school events in front of the entire school as early as 8 years old. At the time I thought those things were normal and didn’t really understand what president it was setting for my life early on. I rarely get nervous about anything when it comes to me performing. I just show up and show out each and every time whether it’s on the screen or the stage.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
It will be plenty of hurdles in learning how to grow with anything you have passion in. It will be moments of discouragement, moments where you feel misunderstood, mistreated, challenged and want to give it all up and in those exact moments’ greatness is formed. I can recall this one experience I went through at the time where I asked God to remove any thing that wasn’t good for life and at the time I had 3 artist signed to Hustle Ward, and within 3 months of that prayer, one artist tried to battle with me out of jealously, another artist I dated at the time had a child with another guy and tried to tarnish my name because we didn’t work out. Like I literally witnessed all of this in real time, and I at the end had never felt more blessed because I was able to walk away from everything and lose nothing. I gained not only peace but more clarity with not only life but business relationships and gained more partnerships in the process.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I find pleasure in the reality of things and think that, that’s what you should display at all times. I am the same in every room I walk in and via social media where people love to put on facades and make themselves bigger than who they are, I actually find love in the detail of the journey and growth and if that shows next level to others then, that is just confirmation you’re doing the right things. You are you for a reason and were all are built in God’s image, once you walk with that, your life will change for the better and you won’t have to hide yourself. JUST BE YOU!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone, I hope people will be able to tell the story that I was not only a great actor or label exec but a great father, husband, son, brother, uncle and inspiration to many people and that the knowledge I was able to obtain and give was able to help many others excel beyond me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.waysworld.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_wayholmesjr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-holmes-jr-94492431b/
• Twitter: https://x.com/thehustlaway
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehustlaway
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/awaytv
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thehustlaway