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ABOUT DARRELL A SUTHERLAND
MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR AND INVESTOR
ABOUT DARRELL A SUTHERLAND
MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR AND INVESTOR
Home » About Darrell
HUSBAND, FATHER, ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, INVESTOR, BUSINESS CONSULTANT, AND MENTOR FROM THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA
Often referred to as “the tool guy”, I’ve always had a passion and gift for building custom tools to solve complex problems. I knew from a young age that college wasn’t the path for me, but with the support and guidance of exceptional mentors, I quickly found my place in precision manufacturing.
At the age of 19, I started my first business, known today as Dylan Aerospace. Over the years, I’ve used my gift for helping others discover their own unique abilities to assemble a team of manufacturing super talents who have helped me grow the company into the multi-million dollar operation that it is today.
Dylan Aerospace has taken the industry by storm with our commitment to developing authentic customer relationships and serving at the highest level at ALL levels within the supply chain – An otherwise unheard of approach to business in a notoriously “dry” industry.
With these core values guiding everything we do, Dylan has successfully landed high-value contracts with industry giants like Boeing and Amazon. Over the years, we’ve been awarded several Supplier Excellence Awards, and in 2018, we were named Aerospace Company of the Year by Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance.
As an industry leader with deep roots in precision manufacturing, I've gained a unique perspective on the importance of elevating the product, process, and people that work to move, feed, and guard our way of life. I recognize the tremendous opportunity available in American manufacturing today, and I'm passionate about exposing innovative individuals, bold entrepreneurs, and impact-driven investors to the hidden wonders of our industry.
Home » About Darrell
HUSBAND, FATHER, ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, INVESTOR, BUSINESS CONSULTANT, AND MENTOR FROM THE GREATER SEATTLE AREA
Often referred to as “the tool guy”, I’ve always had a passion and gift for building custom tools to solve complex problems. I knew from a young age that college wasn’t the path for me, but with the support and guidance of exceptional mentors, I quickly found my place in precision manufacturing.
At the age of 19, I started my first business, known today as Dylan Aerospace. Over the years, I’ve used my gift for helping others discover their own unique abilities to assemble a team of manufacturing super talents who have helped me grow the company into the multi-million dollar operation that it is today.
Dylan Aerospace has taken the industry by storm with our commitment to developing authentic customer relationships and serving at the highest level at ALL levels within the supply chain – An otherwise unheard of approach to business in a notoriously “dry” industry.
With these core values guiding everything we do, Dylan has successfully landed high-value contracts with industry giants like Boeing and Amazon. Over the years, we’ve been awarded several Supplier Excellence Awards, and in 2018, we were named Aerospace Company of the Year by Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance.
As an industry leader with deep roots in precision manufacturing, I've gained a unique perspective on the importance of elevating the product, process, and people that work to move, feed, and guard our way of life. I recognize the tremendous opportunity available in American manufacturing today, and I'm passionate about exposing innovative individuals, bold entrepreneurs, and impact-driven investors to the hidden wonders of our industry.
MFG IS THE GREATEST
UNDISCOVERED OPPORTUNITY
IN THE UNITED STATES
MFG IS THE GREATEST UNDISCOVERED OPPORTUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Manufacturing touches everything we do, have, and need in this world, making it the lifeblood of both our global and domestic economies. When I created MFG Masters, I envisioned a platform that would empower individuals from all walks of life to tap into the tremendous opportunities available in American manufacturing.
DARRELL'S STORY
Like many people, my childhood wasn’t exactly smooth-sailing. At age 12, my father abandoned us for 7 years of my life, leaving my brother and I to grow up in a broken home.
As a fat, red-headed, buck-toothed kid with ADD, OCD, and Dyslexia, and a name like Darrell Ashley, I was a pretty easy target for bullies… This often got me into trouble as I didn’t understand at the time how to channel my energy and unique gifts in a productive manner.
I was also born without 9 permanent teeth (which meant I still had 9 baby teeth well into adulthood) leaving me incredibly insecure of my smile. For nearly 50 years of my life, I dodged photos and avoided smiling at all costs until I finally committed to investing in my smile transformation... One of the greatest investments I've ever made.
Needless to say, I understand firsthand how it feels to be an outcast.
DARRELL'S STORY
Like many people, my childhood wasn’t exactly smooth-sailing. At age 12, my father abandoned us for 7 years of my life, leaving my brother and I to grow up in a broken home.
As a fat, red-headed, buck-toothed kid with ADD, OCD, and Dyslexia, and a name like Darrell Ashley, I was a pretty easy target for bullies… This often got me into trouble as I didn’t understand at the time how to channel my energy and unique gifts in a productive manner.
I was also born without 9 permanent teeth (which meant I still had 9 baby teeth well into adulthood) leaving me incredibly insecure of my smile. For nearly 50 years of my life, I dodged photos and avoided smiling at all costs until I finally committed to investing in my smile transformation... One of the greatest investments I've ever made.
Needless to say, I understand firsthand how it feels to be an outcast.
Unlike me, my brother was a 6’4 stud with straight-A’s and musical talent. While it wasn’t always easy living in his shadow, he always knew exactly what he wanted in life and never let anything get in the way of his dream to become a fighter pilot instructor in the U.S. Air Force. Steven was my greatest inspiration and role model after my dad left.
When I was 27, I received a heart-breaking phone call from his new bride screaming, “He’s gone! He’s gone! Steven’s gone!” I couldn’t believe it. My brother, my role model, my hero, had been killed in a fiery jet crash on a training mission at just 29 years old. I was crushed.
The week after his funeral, I lost my left eye in a fluke bungee cord accident on the trip home from collecting his belongings… Just 4 weeks before I would marry the love of my life, Lisa.
Unlike me, my brother was a 6’4 stud with straight-A’s and musical talent. While it wasn’t always easy living in his shadow, he always knew exactly what he wanted in life and never let anything get in the way of his dream to become a fighter pilot instructor in the U.S. Air Force. Steven was my greatest inspiration and role model after my dad left.
When I was 27, I received a heart-breaking phone call from his new bride screaming, “He’s gone! He’s gone! Steven’s gone!” I couldn’t believe it. My brother, my role model, my hero, had been killed in a fiery jet crash on a training mission at just 29 years old. I was crushed.
The week after his funeral, I lost my left eye in a fluke bungee cord accident on the trip home from collecting his belongings… Just 4 weeks before I would marry the love of my life, Lisa.
Without a system for processing all the trauma I had experienced in such a relatively short period of time, I turned to food and alcohol to soothe the pain, and quickly found myself in a self-destructive downward spiral.
By the time I reached rock bottom in 2009, I was 100+ pounds overweight, my health was rapidly deteriorating, my businesses were suffering, I was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the most important people in my life were slowly slipping away.
I was forced to face the reality that if I didn't start getting my life together immediately, I wouldn’t be around to watch my kids grow up... And that thought alone was the push I needed to finally start investing in myself and my family's future.
Without a system for processing all the trauma I had experienced in such a relatively short period of time, I turned to food and alcohol to soothe the pain, and quickly found myself in a self-destructive downward spiral.
By the time I reached rock bottom in 2009, I was 100+ pounds overweight, my health was rapidly deteriorating, my businesses were suffering, I was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the most important people in my life were slowly slipping away.
I was forced to face the reality that if I didn't start getting my life together immediately, I wouldn’t be around to watch my kids grow up... And that thought alone was the push I needed to finally start investing in myself and my family's future.
Through my own transformation, I realized that it's not enough to simply define the legacy we want for ourselves... we must LIVE IT every single day. My story is a testament to the power of investing in yourself first, and the potential for success in the face of adversity.
Whether you've been in manufacturing for decades, or you're brand new to the industry, I challenge you to take that step... invest in yourself... say 'yes' to that opportunity... and start LIVING your unique legacy.
Through my own transformation, I realized that it's not enough to simply define the legacy we want for ourselves... we must LIVE IT every single day. My story is a testament to the power of investing in yourself first, and the potential for success in the face of adversity.
Whether you've been in manufacturing for decades, or you're brand new to the industry, I challenge you to take that step... invest in yourself... say 'yes' to that opportunity... and start LIVING your unique legacy.
HERE'S WHAT I BELIEVE...
- Your life is not your fault, but your legacy IS.
- If we don't do what we do in manufacturing, the rest of the world can't exist.
- If your business is no longer growing, it's because YOU are no longer growing.
- Relationship development at ALL levels of the supply chain is critical for sustained success in the industry.
- American manufacturing is full of untapped potential, with tremendous opportunities for growth and innovation waiting to be discovered.
- A strong and resilient domestic supply chain requires a significant investment in the product, processes, and people that make manufacturing possible.
- There's a place in manufacturing for anyone willing to invest the time and energy into being great.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE...
At my worst in 2009, I was far from the role model my family and businesses needed...
I was 100+ pounds overweight...
Significant unresolved childhood trauma controlled my life...
I was struggling with food and alcohol addictions...
I was working myself to death pulling ridiculous hours...
I was on the verge of bankruptcy multiple times...
My relationships with my wife and kids were falling apart…
The legacy I was living did not align with the legacy I had envisioned for myself, and I had to accept responsibility for that.
Fast forward to today, and here I am – happier and healthier than ever, with more clarity than I ever imagined possible!
My story is a testament to the power of accepting responsibility for your life, investing in yourself, discovering your unique abilities, applying them in a lane that aligns with how YOU are wired, and really understanding the ‘why’ that is driving your actions.
It’s never too late to start living YOUR true legacy.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE...
At my worst in 2009, I was far from the role model my family and businesses needed...
- I was 100+ pounds overweight...
- Significant unresolved childhood trauma controlled my life...
- I was struggling with food and alcohol addictions...
- I was working myself to death pulling ridiculous hours...
- I was on the verge of bankruptcy multiple times...
- My relationships with my wife and kids were falling apart…
The legacy I was living did not align with the legacy I had envisioned for myself, and I had to accept responsibility for that.
Fast forward to today, and here I am – happier and healthier than ever, with more clarity than I ever imagined possible!
My story is a testament to the power of accepting responsibility for your life, investing in yourself, discovering your unique abilities, applying them in a lane that aligns with how YOU are wired, and really understanding the ‘why’ that is driving your actions.
It’s never too late to start living YOUR true legacy.
STRUGGLING TO BUILD A SCALABLE MANUFACTURING BUSINESS?
Automate your expertise with LegacyMaker and turn your MFG business into a powerful, scalable resource—right from the palm of your hand!
STRUGGLING TO BUILD A SCALABLE MANUFACTURING BUSINESS?
Automate your expertise with LegacyMaker and turn your MFG business into a powerful, scalable resource—right from the palm of your hand!
I LUV MFG Media, LLC
© 2023 All Rights Reserved
PO Box 7846 Bonney Lake, WA 98391
I LUV MFG Media, LLC
© 2023 All Rights Reserved
PO Box 7846 Bonney Lake, WA 98391