We had the good fortune of connecting with Daryl J.W. Mackin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daryl J.W., putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Even though I was the first employee of A Soldiers Child Foundation and the founder/executive director, I never saw it as working for myself. A Soldiers Child Foundation has always been about the children and families of our fallen and how average American citizens could give back to them!

I feel that it is America’s debt to pay for our freedoms within the United States of America.

Inadvertently, the best decision was to start this ministry in caring for the children left behind. In doing so, we tapped into the heart of most Americans. Outside of a marquee or bumper sticker, there aren’t many ways to show your support for Gold Star Families. We provided an avenue for people who desire to pay back that debt.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What I am most proud of is the family that we have built within A Soldier’s Child Foundation. The children and spouses of our fallen have become family to one another, donors, volunteers, and our staff. What I am most excited about is our new ASC TN Specialty License Plate. Currently, TN Residents can purchase this now! Here is the link: https://asoldierschild.kindful.com/?campaign=1244753

That is a very complex question. The simple answer is there were aspects of starting ASC that we easy and others that were not. If I was completely honest, I would tell you it was the contributions of other people besides myself that got us to where we are today. The smartest thing I did was to reach out for help. I surrounded myself with people who were smarter than me, people who cared about the mission. Any business will always rely on relationships.

The biggest challenge I had right out the gate was filing our nonprofit status. All the paperwork that goes into that, getting copyrighted, and getting incorporated. I had never started a nonprofit before, so finding the right people to direct me was vital. I was like an empty barrel allowing people to dump whatever they wanted into it, business-wise and I chose what stayed and what went out.

This probably sounds like false humility but I assure you it is not. The truth is without Jesus in my life, I can do nothing. Any good that I have done with ASC is God Inspired. The fact is in James 1:27, God talks about humans doing good and seeking his approval. God spells it out, we are to control our tongue, care for widows and orphans in their distress, and not to be polluted by the world. If you agree with this, A Soldier’s Child has given you an avenue to care for the widows and orphans within our own country. Visit our website to find out more: https://www.asoldierschild.org/

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Bricktops in West End Nashville and Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would say my pastor, Ron Kairdolf. From the very beginning pastor Ron and my church, “Christian Life,” on Cason Lane in Murfreesboro TN has been 100% supportive of the work that A Soldier’s Child does.

They have given, time, talent, and treasure to ASC. Ron has personally been my mentor and he has coached me along both spiritually and from a business perspective. I am indebted to him for the friendship and care that he has shown me.

Website: https://www.asoldierschild.org/

Other: https://linktr.ee/ascsocials?fbclid=IwAR3mtxfX3N8Ohr2hRWdsrb2SWxo9yYI1rJNVGbRY2CjdrLPyI0LVdsEDL4Q

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