Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Wilson.
Hi Dominique, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am mostly known for playing basketball for 2 decades and playing pro for five years. I actually retired last year and started acting. Acting has always been something I wanted to do but it was impossible to truly dedicate my time to the craft while being relentless in basketball. So, I started acting in July 2022 and have been going hard ever since. I met a lot of great individuals that have pushed me to continue to learn more and just really hone my craft but enjoy being a student also. I also model on the side and have been a few commercials due to my athletic history.
During basketball and outside of acting now, I have a natural hair growth business that I started with my mom five years ago. It’s called CW Haircare and the business was created because my mom suffered from hair loss that got worst when doctors prescribed her medicine for it. So, she had to do her own research and create products that gave her instant results. I and other family members and friends pushed her to start a business to help other people who are suffering from hair loss but it wasn’t until I jumped on board to help that she finally agree. Our business continues to grow and it touches my heart when I receive testimonials from everyone we helped around the world!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Nothing in this world is given to you and it truly takes hard work, discipline, a team and patience (which I struggle with but getting better at). My time with basketball has taught me once you reach the highest level possible that everyone is great and those that truly stand out from their peers are the ones who work hard every day and are confident in themselves. Truly they have a Mamba Mentality. In basketball, I have faced success and huge FAILURES! In these tough times, I went into a deep depression and not only basketball at that time was failing but it seem like my relationship with everyone around me was failing too. This is my first time admitting this but I was close to committing suicide. The only thing that kept me from doing so (literally with the knife in my hand) was a voice that kept saying “Wouldn’t it be sweet if your life actually had a happy ending”. I couldn’t shake that thought and dropped the knife and from then on started to train my mind to think positively instead of negatively, surround myself with people that would uplift me in life but also lead me towards how to be my best self, and I began to love myself all over again. I’m a huge believer that if you don’t love yourself first and completely believe in yourself then no one else will.
I took these lessons and I apply them in everything I do. They have especially helped towards my pursuit of having a successful business and acting. I now know what it takes to achieve my dreams but also realize when I need a physical and mental break. THESE ARE KEYS!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a recently retired professional basketball player, entrepreneur, and actress. I am mostly known for my basketball career because that was my passion my whole life until I decided to retire in 2022. Now, I am pursuing an acting career and continuing to grow my family business.
I have to thank basketball for teaching me everything I need to know about life and from these lessons I now apply them in my acting career and business. I can say though, what sets me apart (even though I’m new in acting ) is that I understand the meaning of hard work and what it actually takes to give yourself a shot. I use to be the first one in the gym and the last one to leave in basketball. I would also find time in the morning or at night to put up shots, stretch or play one on one. Anything I could control to help me with my game, I would do! Watching films on myself and players I looked up to and loved their game was a big part of my growing as an athlete as well. Everything I learned and applied in basketball, I am doing the same with acting. So, I say that to say this. Not a lot of actors (well, the ones I’ve met) truly do not know what it means to “put in the work”. Even the ones that have been doing this for decades and feel stuck, I usually talk to them and it seems to be the same problem… they are not working hard enough or increasing their opportunities to put themselves in more environments to be uncomfortable so they can grow. You really have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and for my first two years with acting and my business, I plan on continuing to put myself around people who are better than me, make me uncomfortable, and learn so I can continue to grow and be my best self.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is very subjective. Everyone’s view of success is different but for me success is actually achieving your goals you always wanted to achieve without having to let go of your morals or dishonor yourself in any way. If something is for you it will be for you and you don’t have to feel pressure to drop your morals just for an opportunity that looks “shiny”.
Pricing:
- Training for basketball $50 per session
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cwhaircare.com
- Instagram: nique_w12
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominique.wilson2?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/DominiqueWilson
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/niquew_12
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CWHaircare
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cwhaircare?_t=8cZk7wdr4eZ&_r=1
Image Credits
Traveling pics (me in the desert and 2 photos in Egypt) are selfies Under Armour group pic: kara.smolenyak@underarmour.com Acting headshot (blue shirt and hair in a messy low bun): @slingshots.atl Fighting action pic (with knife and red headband): @atlstunts but I took this myself CW Haircare pic: Took this photo Athletes Unlimited pic (purple jersey with basketball): @auprohoops
