"There are several ways around obstacles, don’t let them stop you. Just keep going"
Born on June 16 in Detroit, Michigan, “Kid’s Zombie Adventure’s” author and TV Series creator Darryl Woodberry was so inspired by his daughter and granddaughter, he turned his retirement into a publishing and production venture. The former EMT, turned rigger in Henry Ford’s original factory in Deerborn, Michigan (under the original Ford Local 600!), was well steeped in creativity having studied classical music and performing on the cornet (trumpet) from Grade three to Grade 12 and in the symphony orchestra.
A true advocate of education, Woodberry has continued to learn throughout his life. Graduating from Northwestern High School, to Wayne County Community College (EMT Certificate License), Marygrove College (EKG Tech. Cert. license), Clayton State College (HVAC Cert. license), and Mercer University (MCSE Certificate).
Once a Rock Promoter at the Grande Ballroom, Woodberry tested the waters working at Great Lakes steel (Track Labor, Rigger), then made a dramatic shift to the Triage department at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. The EMT, continued on the medical path a while more, working at Detroit Receiving Hospital (ER psychiatric assistant), and the Detroit Fire Department (Medic/EMT) before making a full career move to the Ford Ford Motor Co., where he moved through various roles including Welder, Driver,Cleaner, Warehouse Tech. Woodberry stayed with Ford for 32 years and retired in 2010.
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Table of Contents
Let’s learn a little about you and really get to experience what makes us tick – starting at our beginnings. Where did your story begin?
Darryl Woodberry: My story began on the west side of Detroit, in 1956. The Auto Industry is thriving, the Music Industry Hot. Performing Arts and Trade schools were encouraged throughout grade school in my neighborhood. I started classical music training from 3rd grade thru to 12th. You could say that’s where I got my love for the creative. It was my dream to create something that inspired change and could make this world a better place for my children and grandchildren. That’s where “Kids Zombie Adventures” was born.
Was there somebody in your life that inspired you to take that specific journey with your business?
Darryl Woodberry: My whole family has been my greatest inspiration and have played a major part in this journey. My parents, they instilled in me, to do whatever it takes to be self-sufficient. My Grandmother would often say, “If there’s a will, there’s a way”. I started Woodberry Publishing Company because of this belief they installed in me that I could make things happen myself rather than wait for others to give me the green light for what I wanted to achieve.
Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. What’s the worst advice you received?
Darryl Woodberry: The worse advice I ever got was to accept “no” for the answer. I like to think that a “no” is a “not yet”. Also, a “no” from one person, does not mean it will be “no” from another.
Resilience is critical in critical times like the ones we are going through now. How would you define resilience?
Darryl Woodberry: Resilience is when the door is closed, find another way in. There are several ways around obstacles, don’t let them stop you. Just keep going. Get creative and take matters into your own hands. Creative business thinking in the creative industry is absolutely critical in these times and builds resilience.
When you think of your company, 5 years from now, what do you see?
Darryl Woodberry: Only getting bigger and better. I’m currently working on more “Kids Zombie Adventures” books so the series is only going to grow. With the TV series based on the books now available thanks to FilmHub, “Kids Zombie Adventures” now has a wider reach and is reaching an audience which the books wouldn’t have been able to. The company is growing and expanding because we are thinking outside the box. I’m very excited to see what is to come.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
Darryl Woodberry: Staying focused, staying true to myself, and the belief in being part of a strong team. I truly believe that you cannot be successful without a strong team behind you. This is a value of mine that shines through in “Kids Zombie Adventures”. There’s only so much we can do by ourselves. My company is as successful as it is because of the team I have behind me.
Being a CEO of the company, do you think that your personal brand reflects your company’s values?
Darryl Woodberry: Absolutely. My values are also the values of my company, and they are the values reflected in my work. I put so much of myself and what I find important into everything I do. There’s no other way, people pick up on things that aren’t authentic and there is no success in that. I’m very proud of this.
How would you define “leadership”?
Darryl Woodberry: Leadership is the ability to express a common goal, and maintain its consistency throughout a group with a targeted mission.
Do you think entrepreneurship is something that you’re born with or something that you can learn along the way?
Darryl Woodberry: I believe entrepreneurship can be learned. You do need to drive to be an entrepreneur, but all the tools you need to be an entrepreneur are readily available to be learned. I found all the information I needed in books and on the internet. I also was not afraid to ask questions and ask for help.
What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Darryl Woodberry: My grandmother’s favorite saying is, “ If there is a will, there is a way”, I am always willing to learn.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Darryl Woodberry for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
