When it comes to serving others, Daniel has it down to a science. He finds ways to serve others both inside and outside of work, and he’s only just begun.
Daniel currently oversees the Inland Empire district of southern California for his MarketSource program and recently began helping out in Orange County. Volunteering to help manage a district outside of his own is a shining example of a work ethic devoted to helping others.
During the height of the pandemic, a large portion of our team members continued to work hard on the front lines. “My heart was filled with gratitude for the team members that showed up for their shifts,” he said. “Their bravery and hard work are what kept food on my table, so the best way I could show my appreciation was to feed them in return.” Over six weeks, Daniel made 28 to 36 meals every Saturday for his team members, from chicken alfredo to enchiladas to tamales (as well as having pizza delivered). Since the state was on lockdown and there was no traffic, he was able to make rounds across his entire district each week – about 100 miles and 4.5 hours roundtrip. “The investment paid off one hundred-fold,” Daniel said. “It helped our teams maintain morale and fight through tough times. The appreciation was evident on everyone’s face at each drop-off, and the pictures they shared were truly worth a thousand words.”
Daniel also enjoys giving back outside of work. When his regional manager (and former veteran) shared that a local American Legion had been broken into during a renovation and had lost thousands of dollars in power equipment and construction supplies, Daniel presented the opportunity to his team to lend a helping hand. “I’ve had a lot of people in my life open up their home, wallet, and trust for me,” he said. “Paying it forward is truly the best way to thank those that have helped me at one point or another.”
In addition to serving others, Daniel is a published children’s book author, along with his best friend. The Adventure of Bagley and Gustavo and Bagley and the Recyclables are two in a series about a plastic bag that is afraid of going through the recycling process. They are in the process of finalizing Bagley’s adventure, which began as an Earth Day project for his best friend who is a teacher. Daniel also pursues photography as a hobby and is occasionally hired for family portraits, weddings, family reunions, and other celebrations.
It’s no surprise that Daniel’s favorite part of his job is helping his team grow and succeed. He often passes on advice given to him by his mother: Don’t let stress take over you. “If stress is going to solve the problem, then stress away!” he quotes her. “I try to live my life as stress-free as possible in a stressful world. It’s easier said than done, but if accomplished, it’s life changing.”