If you’ve ever made a major life shift, you know that feeling—the mix of excitement and terror that hits right before you jump. That’s exactly what came to mind when I sat down with Chris Wright, the founder of Morae Classical Schools. He’s not your typical entrepreneur. After 20 years in the Air Force, commanding schools and serving as a Special Warfare Officer, Chris decided to take on a whole new mission: building a school system that serves military families in a way that traditional schools don’t.
The shift from military life to entrepreneurship isn’t exactly a smooth ride—it’s messy, uncertain, and requires a level of resilience you don’t realize you have until you’re right in the thick of it. Chris’s journey really drove that home for me. And I think it’s something we can all relate to, especially when life throws curveballs and you’re figuring things out on the fly.
Let’s dive into what Chris’s story can teach us—whether you’re a vet, an entrepreneur, or just someone navigating life’s unpredictable twists.
Resilience Isn’t Just About Surviving, It’s About Pushing Forward
I asked Chris how his military experience shaped him for entrepreneurship, and it was clear that resilience isn’t just some buzzword for him—it’s something he’s lived through, time and time again. He talked about his deployments, family moves, and moments where he had to operate under intense pressure. But it wasn’t just about surviving those moments. It was about learning to push through and figure out what comes next.
“When I left the military, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I had all this experience, but entrepreneurship was a whole new ball game.”
Starting Morae Classical Schools came from that sense of pushing forward. After commanding schools and getting his master’s in education, Chris saw the gaps that military families face when they move around constantly. The solution? Build a school that moves with them—both online and in person. His school gives military kids stability in the middle of the chaos.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Resilience isn’t just about getting through tough moments; it’s about figuring out how to keep going after you get knocked down.
- Sometimes, the path ahead isn’t clear, but you push forward anyway, adjusting as you go.
- Entrepreneurship, like the military, is full of unknowns. The key is to be ready to adapt and never give up.
Preparation is Everything—But Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready
One of the biggest lessons Chris shared with me was about the importance of preparation. When you’re transitioning from one phase of life to another, especially something as drastic as leaving the military, preparation is key. But here’s the kicker: you can’t wait until you feel “ready,” because you’ll never feel fully ready.
“You can’t plan for everything, but you can do your homework. And you’d better start planning way before you think you need to.”
For Chris, that meant learning everything he could about how to start and run a school, while also figuring out basic civilian life things like finding a doctor or navigating insurance—things that were always handled in the military. And then, there was fundraising—an entirely new skill set he had to develop to get his school off the ground.
“In the military, the funding’s already there. But as an entrepreneur, 90% of my time is spent fundraising, talking to people, and building partnerships. That was a huge adjustment for me.”
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Start planning before you think you need to. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster.
- Even if you don’t have all the answers, reach out to people who do. Chris made a habit of scheduling 10-minute calls with people he admired to get their advice.
- Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building the product or service—it’s about building relationships and learning new skills, especially if you’re used to having a structured support system.
Reflections from the Interview
Sitting down with Chris wasn’t just a lesson in military-to-civilian transition; it was a masterclass in leadership and taking care of the people around you. He didn’t build Morae Classical Schools just because it seemed like a good idea—he built it to serve military families in a way that most schools just don’t. His leadership style, honed in the military, is all about removing obstacles for others.
“As a CEO, my job is to eliminate red tape and make things easier for my team,” he told me. “If I can do that, I can build a team that’s happy and ready to do their best work.”
Hearing him talk about this was a wake-up call for me. As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in doing everything ourselves, but the real role of a leader is to create an environment where others can succeed.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Leadership is about removing obstacles for your team, not trying to do everything yourself.
- Building something new—whether it’s a business, a school, or a life after a major change—requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.
- Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Chris described himself as an introvert, but he knows when it’s time to put that aside to get things done.
- Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about pushing forward, learning from mistakes, and keeping your eyes on the bigger mission.
- Preparation and planning are critical, but you also need to be flexible and ready to pivot when things don’t go as expected.
Final Thoughts
Chris’s story is a reminder that no matter where you’re coming from, the journey into something new—whether it’s entrepreneurship or any big life shift—isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it if you stay focused on your mission. The skills we develop in one part of our lives can be applied in ways we might never expect.
If you’re thinking about starting something new, especially after a major life transition, take a page from Chris’s book: be resilient, do your homework, and remember that leadership is about making things better for the people around you.
For the full conversation and more insights from Chris Wright, check out the episode of Never Been Promoted: How to Fundraise for Your Startup: Lessons from a Military Veteran, Chris Wright
CONNECT WITH CHRIS WRIGHT:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-m-wright/
Website: https://www.moraeclassical.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moraeclassical/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moraeclassical
Email: moraeclassical@gmail.com