Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Wallace.
Hi Carlos, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Jacksonville, Texas, where I learned the values of hard work, faith, and personal responsibility. Those lessons carried me into the United States Navy, where I developed a deep appreciation for discipline, service, and teamwork. From there, I followed in the footsteps of my family as a fifth-generation railroader. Over the course of my railroad career, I served as a conductor, locomotive engineer, and labor leader, representing thousands of railroad employees. The railroad taught me that leadership is not about authority. It is about earning trust, accepting responsibility, and making sound decisions when the well-being of others depends on you.
My journey also took me in unexpected directions. Before becoming a full-time author and speaker, I worked in several environments that exposed me to every facet of humanity, including working on death row. Those experiences reinforced a truth I still carry with me today: every person has a story, every decision has consequences, and every life has value. They deepened my understanding of grace, accountability, redemption, and the importance of helping people make better choices before it’s too late.
Writing began as a way to share the lessons life had taught me. What started with a single book grew into a career I never imagined. Today, I am honored to be a Pulitzer Prize-nominated, bestselling author, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and community leader. I have the privilege of speaking to businesses, schools, civic organizations, and conferences across the country, encouraging people to recognize that leadership is not defined by a title. It is defined by the positive influence we have on the lives of others.
Everything I do is guided by one simple mission: to leave people better than I found them. Whether I am writing a book, standing on a stage, or having a one-on-one conversation, my goal is the same. If I can help someone become a better leader, make a wiser decision, or discover greater potential within themselves, then I know I am living out my purpose.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that growth rarely happens on a smooth road.
Like many people, I’ve experienced seasons that tested my faith, my character, and my resilience. I’ve gone through divorce, financial hardship, and moments when the future felt uncertain. I’ve also experienced profound personal loss, saying goodbye to both of my parents and, most recently, my brother. Grief has a way of changing your perspective. It reminds you that time is precious, relationships matter, and tomorrow is never promised.
Professionally, there were times when doors closed, opportunities didn’t materialize, and projects took far longer to succeed than I expected. As an author, I learned that writing a great book is only part of the journey. Building trust with readers takes time. As a speaker, I learned that influence isn’t measured by the size of the audience but by whether your message stays with people long after you’ve left the stage.
Looking back, I wouldn’t choose those hardships, but I wouldn’t waste them either. They taught me resilience, empathy, patience, and gratitude. They reinforced my belief that leadership isn’t about pretending life is easy. It’s about showing others how to keep moving forward when life is hard.
Today, I don’t measure success by the number of books I’ve sold or the stages I’ve stood on. I measure it by the lives I’ve been able to impact. If my experiences, both the victories and the losses, can help someone else navigate their own journey with a little more hope and a little more wisdom, then every challenge has served a purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller with a purpose. Whether I’m writing a book, delivering a keynote, producing a film, or serving my community, my mission is the same: to help people discover leadership lessons hidden in everyday life. I believe some of life’s greatest truths are found in ordinary experiences, if we’re willing to pay attention.
I specialize in leadership, character development, communication, and personal growth. Everything I create is designed to help people make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and become more intentional leaders. I don’t want people to leave one of my presentations feeling motivated for an hour. I want them to leave with principles they can apply for a lifetime.
My work extends beyond the stage and the pages of my books. I serve as Chairman of the Development and Philanthropy Board for the Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences at Prairie View A&M University, as a Board Member for the City of Fulshear Development Corporation Type A, and as CEO of Sol-Caritas LLC, where we create opportunities through live events, education, and community engagement.
I’m also the co-founder of Coming Home by VR Eval, a trauma-informed case management and continuous care platform that helps organizations better serve veterans and other vulnerable populations. We created it because care shouldn’t stop when someone walks out of an office. By helping organizations manage client records, document services, measure outcomes, and stay connected between appointments, we’re working to improve long-term support and accountability for the people who need it most.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a Pulitzer Prize nomination, a bestselling book, or standing on a stage. It’s receiving a message from someone who tells me they became a better husband, a stronger parent, a more effective leader, or found hope because of something I wrote or said. Those are the moments that remind me why I do this work.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it’s that my message isn’t built on theory. It’s built on experience. I’ve served in the United States Navy, worked on death row, spent decades in the railroad industry, represented thousands of workers as a labor leader, built businesses, buried both of my parents and my brother, and experienced both success and failure. Every lesson I share has been tested in real life.
I also believe leadership should be simple enough to remember and practical enough to use. That’s why I take ordinary stories and uncover the extraordinary lessons hidden inside them. Whether it’s a flashlight, a pillowcase, a light bulb, or an ATM, I want people to see the world differently after our conversation. If they leave thinking differently, leading differently, or treating people differently, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
What matters most to you?
At this stage of my life, what matters most to me is faith, family, and impact. Everything else is temporary.
Losing both of my parents and my brother changed the way I see life. Grief has a way of reminding you that tomorrow isn’t promised and that the people you love are far more valuable than anything you can achieve. It taught me not to take time, relationships, or simple moments for granted.
My wife, Liz, has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life. She has celebrated the victories with me, walked beside me through some of the hardest seasons, and constantly reminds me that success means very little if you don’t have someone to share it with. No accomplishment will ever be more important to me than the relationships I’ve been entrusted to steward.
That perspective carries over into everything I do. Whether I’m writing a book, speaking to an audience, mentoring a young leader, or serving on a board, I ask myself one question: “Will this leave people better than I found them?” If the answer is yes, then I know I’m investing my time in something that truly matters.
I believe we’re all given gifts, not just for our own benefit, but to serve others. That’s why I write. That’s why I speak. That’s why I stay involved in my community. Long after people forget my books or speeches, I hope they remember that I cared, that I served with integrity, and that I encouraged them to see more in themselves than they saw before.
Pricing:
- ($12.99 – $24.99) Books available through major retailers and at www.carloswallace.com
- ($1500 -$10,000) Keynote speaking engagements and workshops are customized based on the event, audience, and location.
- ($500 – $2,500) Leadership training, corporate workshops, and consulting are available by request.
- ($500) Book signings, media appearances, and community events are welcomed.
- For speaking inquiries, partnerships, or other opportunities, please visit www.carloswallace.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carloswallace.com
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/mrcarloswallace/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorcarlos-wallace/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrCarlosWallace?app=desktop
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/carlos-wallace-spring-4
- Other: https://www.cominghome.ai/
