Name: Darryl Wilson, Jr.
Profession: The Wedding Concierge/Global Marketing Director for Diann Valentine Living Well
Age: 31
I have put my passion to purpose by: Creating and bringing LOVE STORIES to life for couples of color around the globe.
After graduating high school and finishing up his freshman year of undergrad Darryl Wilson Jr. had his life mapped out. The plan was to follow in his fathers footsteps and join the Navy branch of the Armed Forces, serve 25 years and retire. But a special occasion altered the course of events and changed Wilson’s life forever.
“GOD had a different blueprint for me,” Wilson tells BE Modern Man. “It wasn’t until after planning my mother’s wedding to my step father 15 years ago that I realized the exceptional talent I had.” Talented but not yet confident, Wilson struggled to see how he could take his talent and craft a successful career in wedding planning. “At the time the wedding and event industry was predominately ran by females, and there were not many men of color in the limelight making strides in the wedding industry,” says Wilson. “As my confidence began to grow, my LIFE long goal has become to change the dynamics of the industry by planning one love story at a time!”
So what stirs and incites Wilson’s passion within to produce magical memories? Love. He says, “I am blessed to be a part of an industry that honors and celebrates love everyday.” Inspired everyday by opportunities and experiences, Wilson relishes his role in bringing love together. “Plus I’m blessed to work with beautiful women from around the world,” Wilson tells BE Modern Man. “What a lucky man am I [laughing]!”
Initially stepping foot into a billion-dollar industry and being a small fish in a big pond was intimidating for Wilson. But as his passion, talent and love for planning developed he learned a few things. “Be who you are, be wise and be smart,” Wilson tells BE Modern Man. “Don’t be afraid of failure, and be willing to showcase your individuality. I’ve become successful because I genuinely love what I do and I surround myself with peers and mentors from different backgrounds.” Spending days and many nights strategically planning how to continue to be a force in the industry, Wilson also encourages people to expose themselves to cultural experiences. “I would encourage any creative to travel outside of your city, state and country at one of the beautiful Hilton resorts and just wonder around the city and just allow the elements, people, and food inspire you.”
Blessed with an extraordinary gift of being a creative soul, Wilson believes that it is his intangible traits of being a honest spirit and having a daring mind that separates him from the rest. “Brides don’t just hire me to plan their weddings,” says Wilson. “I become a confidant, a fixer, and most importantly a friend. It is my normal to always give first class extraordinary Service.
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