As most WNBA stars supplement their earnings with foreign contracts or get involved in the new Unrivaled league, A’ja Wilson decided to go on a different path. The Las Vegas Aces All-Star is building her net worth, which already sits at an estimated $4 million, on her own, without leaving the country or looking for new basketball opportunities.
Speaking at The Exit Interview for The Ballers Magazine, Wilson revealed she is devoting all her energies to doing something closer to her home: her family business, Burnt Wax Candle Company, which her mother, Eva Wilson, began with her.
As a businesswoman, I’ve actually been having tons of fun just running my candle business with my mom. We went from just candles to all different scents and ways people could still have the A1 scents in their house
For her, the candle business is not just a financial investment, it is a creative expression and a way to find balance. As Unrivaled gains more popularity with players and investors, Wilson remains devoted to her psychological well-being and authenticity.
Selecting peace over tension
Several of Wilson’s teammates take advantage of the WNBA offseason to draw higher paychecks abroad. Others, such as Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, have invested their funds into Unrivaled, a locally owned league. But Wilson is holding firm, choosing peace over perpetual competition.
“I’m protecting my peace,” she’s said in past interviews. A phrase that has become something of a mantra for the two-time MVP. Instead of chasing another paycheck on a different continent, she is building wealth through entrepreneurship, partnerships, and brand collaborations that fit her lifestyle and morals.
Redefining what success looks like
Wilson’s decision is one in a larger trend of elite athletes: reframing success off the court. Her candle family business, which has branched out to produce diffusers and room sprays, has become a hobby and a company.
She handles product design and branding while her mother handles operations, a family operation that keeps the business small and real.
It’s been really rewarding to build something sustainable with my family
A’ja Wilson is not only focused on winning championships, she wants to redefine the blueprint for financial independence for WNBA players. By making her own business a priority, she is showing that players do not have to seek out foreign bookings or dodgy investments to build their wealth.
Read the full article here
