Donald L. Dowridge, Jr.

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

It is definitely a pleasure to be interviewed by you and your Business Stories Magazine.

My name is Donald L. Dowridge, Jr., originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I spent my first 12 years being transitioned into 5 turbulent & abusive foster homes. My biological father retrieved me from the foster system and moved me to The Bronx, New York. During my time there with him, I was the victim of eight (8) stab wounds, for which doctor appointments are currently kept. We moved from New York to Tampa, Florida in 1974 (where, after 53 years, this has become my home base). In October of that year he returned to The Bronx, leaving me at 17 years old to move in with family friends. Unfortunately, I did not graduate from the high school I was enrolled in. In 1978, seeking a positive change, I signed up for the U.S. Army. I served two terms, with 2 honorable discharges after being injured. Upon returning to Tampa, I was hired by the U.S. Post Office, where I rose to become the First Black Male Manager of a department. In 1996 (30 years as of November 22nd, 2026), I retired from the Post Office at the young age of 39. Currently I am a Proud father of a Successful grown Son and a Beautiful 11-year-old granddaughter.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

Living in the outskirts of Tampa has been and is a rewarding experience. It allows for peace of mind, writing, relaxing and enjoying what life has to offer as I begin to walk into 70 years old.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

After eleven and a half years of employment with the Post Office, I was invited as a guest speaker at my son’s fifth grade class. My intention was to speak and return to work the next day. While at the Post Office, my sights were on becoming the First Black Postmaster of Hillsborough County. Fortunately, that was derailed! I had no idea of GOD’s plan for the rest of my life!

DLD was officially started in 1996 after my retirement from the P.O. Unofficially, DLD started in 1992 while I was still employed. DLD’s beginning name was Donald D. Productions because of my writing poetry & songs (which to this day are in the Office of Copyrights in Washington, D.C.). Maybe by 1997, the name was changed to DLD (Determined to Learn and Develop) Enterprises. At this time I took on the title of Motivational Speaker, after receiving training from the likes of renowned motivational speaker Les Brown, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill and various other Mentors along the way.

This would lead to writing books. At this time 14 books have been penned, and The Power of Being a WINNER landed Number “1” in Barnes & Noble’s Self Help Category. Under the umbrella of DLD, after 30 years, besides Motivator, there is the enactment as the 21st Century “Frederick Douglass” (17 years and running throughout America). I have also portrayed “Sooooul Santa” since 2010 throughout 3 counties, which includes the Tampa Times newspaper nominating me as the Best Santa in the 3 counties! Currently I am serving 27 years with Hillsborough County Public Schools as a Motivational Liaison.

DLD has gained a large following from many clientele who enjoy the unorthodox speaking and teaching of DLD. Within my archives are many letters, awards, souvenirs, cards, etc. that indicate the impact it has made in many customers’, students’ and clientele’s lives.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Advice to a new entrepreneur stepping out and beginning a business: Be honest with your vision. Migrate into circles where support for you is strong and willing to assist you to excel. Allow passion & love to be the main purpose of wanting to start a business. That way, when the Square machine is not totaling currency made from customers, it won’t be taken as a sign to close shop. Give yourself a five-year goal to know if the business is strong enough to stand on its own. Always take note of your overhead and take sharp note of the economy and its economics, like inflation or deflation. Be open to learning the market you are seeking to invest in, so the business will enjoy sound footing. Ensure the mission statement & objective of the company are written and are the goal. Study the craft, read the books, gather a mentor, so it will be advantageous to you.

Though the current economy shows signs of negativity, history has proven the majority of small businesses begin and thrive in this type of situation. If you have a dream of starting your business, don’t brush it under the rug. Your business just might be the next one to seriously make a huge impact!!! It’s your baby, bring it to fruition. You never know if you never try!

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One piece of feedback from a happy customer: I spoke at a middle school assembly one year gone by. After it was done, the principal handed me an envelope and said not to read the contents until I left. Well, after leaving, I drove to a restaurant, pulled out the envelope and read the letter. When done, I was taken aback by the words he wrote. He mentioned that, though he was well educated and a principal, the thought of suicide haunted him daily because of what happened to him as a youngster (yes, he held it in for many years). He congratulated me for being able to calmly talk about the terrible abuse I endured, and wrote how the presentation affected him and also strengthened him to want to live, despite being subjected to the same treatment.

This is a disease so many children of the past and present are regrettably put through. Thankfully, today there are many professionals and everyday people who maintain a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of our children. I conclude with this: in my archives there are letters and tokens of gratitude from many who awarded me for the aptitude to passionately show love & understanding to those navigating the stigma of abuse. It also continues to reinforce my purpose thirty years later and beyond.

Where do you see your company in the future?

In the future, my vision is expanding past the enclosure of the state of Florida in all areas of DLD, especially with the enactment of the 21st Century Frederick Douglass. This also includes writing more books, as well as my Autobiography. In my latter years, as long as GOD provides the vigor, I will continue to optimistically impact lives.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Great question! Throughout these 30 years in this profession, at least for DLD, it’s mostly been a matter of assuming I make a lot of money, when in reality I don’t, and it hasn’t been the concentration how much money can be made, but more so how many distorted lives can be saved, such as mine. NO! DLD is not a non-profit, it is a for-profit business. As I glance back over the years at how much was given away from kindness and donations, let the record show I would be financially rich. I believe in those who helped and gave to me unselfishly, so I can also assist others and pay it forward by unselfishly giving.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

Wow, the biggest struggle was to win over businesses and opportunities to believe in the products of DLD. Whether speaking, acting or mentoring, they know to count on me to deliver each and every time without failing. I will admit it was a challenge, mentally, financially and physically at times. Basically, being avid about wanting to be before audiences and disseminate motivational inspiration was 100% of my being! There were times questions were asked of self: “What am I doing?” It was never quit or give up! If you want it to sustain, you must build strength with GOD and the ability to go through the storms, to be able to sustain through the lean, tough times. In these times my honesty to this passion was tested dearly.

As in the movie The Temptations, Berry Gordy asks the question after listening to the demo of “The Way You Do The Things You Do” by the Temps: “Would you buy the record with your last dime or buy a sandwich?” In my case, being devoted to DLD, there were times I was out of resources and had to hold on to my very last! However, quitting NEVER appeared in thought! It made for needing to continue this quest, this hunger at all costs, which is firmly still in place to this day.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

No doubt! Number One: “James Brown,” who I’ve performed as throughout the years. Number Two: “The Temptations,” who I auditioned for in 1996.

Currently, as of this writing, the lip-syncing group I have been a member of since 2008, “Soul2Soul,” will be performing on October 31st, 2026 at the OctoberFest & on November 28th, 2026, my 70th Birthday Gala.

A sidebar: at the age of seven, I was watching The Ed Sullivan Show when he introduced James Brown. When James began to sing “I Feel Good,” I blurted out loudly so all could hear, “THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO BE,” an entertainer. In so many ways GOD has allowed me to not just entertain, but to educate as well.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Yes, to the many people who gave of themselves so I can be standing here, and also for this interview. To begin with: Deborah Bostock-Kelley, Dayle Greene, Walter Crawford, K. L. Muldrow, Betty Kinsey, my Late Great-Grandmother Mary Rodgers, Late uncle John Taylor & Floyd Staten Dowridge, Son Donald L. Dowridge, III, Sisters Darlene Best, Janice Dowridge-Hayes, Joyce Dowridge, Brother Harvey Smith, Dr. Elaine Lee, Pastor Bart Banks & Late Pastor Arthor T. Jones, to name a few.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

They can always contact DLD through dld282002@yahoo.com, www.dldenterprises.org, (813) 394-5875, and all social media platforms, including Wikipedia.