Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Marco Walder.
Dr. Walder, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the Oak Cliff area and I am a product of Dallas ISD. I attended and graduated from Dallas Carter High School and was a three-sport athlete. I earned a full scholarship to Alcorn State University where I was a 4-year letter winner on the football team. I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science Degree in Secondary Education. I pursued football opportunities after college, however never saw that dream fully come true. I entered into education where I have served for 16 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator. During those years, I have served the youth and my community by giving all that was once given to me, which was simply a chance to be successful.
I earned my Doctor of Education in Sport Management and strive daily to improve the academic preparation of urban student-athletes. I also seek to increase the knowledge of NCAA rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements for all parents, student-athletes, and stakeholders involved.
Currently, I am an Elementary Specials Needs teacher in Duncanville ISD and I work with kids with learning disabilities and other health-related issues. I also provide tutoring services to kids all over the metro-plex through my company We O.W.N. Math Tutoring.
In addition, I am a speaker and published author who has currently authored seven books which focus on life, love, and self-growth. Most recently, Beyond The Gridiron: A look into the academic preparation of urban high school student-athletes and CARE: Moving from one winning season into the next.
I am the owner of We O.W.N. Custom Printing and Designs which serves the metro-plex and other cities and states worldwide by providing graphic designs and printing Others Will Notice.
I am a member of Concord Baptist church which is under the leadership of Pastor Bryan Carter.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has never been smooth, however, I have learned to embrace the struggles and use them as motivation and inspiration to keep me focused during my journey.
One of the struggles is just getting others to believe in you and your dream. This also speaks to you as an individual. Often times, the hardest struggle is with yourself and making sure you do not quit on you.
Over the course of my journey, I have learned to stay positive, find ways to keep myself motivated and surround myself with people who can do the same while knowing God is always by my side even in the midst of a storm.
In 2018, I was hospitalized for a week with pneumonia and actually thought I was going to die. At that exact moment in my life I made it a priority to not only pursue my dreams with all I have, but do what I needed to do to see them become a reality.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the We O.W.N. story. Tell us more about the business.
My first business is We O.W.N. Custom Printing and Designs. I created this business in 2012 and we specialize in graphic design and printing. We design and print all marketing needs and provide a high-quality service for a reasonable price. I am most proud of this company because I am self-taught and the skills I have learned have been developed by hard work, seeking more knowledge and information continuously, and having great mentors I can turn too when things are not always coming together.
As an author and speaker, I have authored seven books with my first being published in 2012. I am most proud of this endeavor because I have been able to motivate, inspire, and influence people all over the world through my love of writing. I fell in love with writing as a kid because I suffered from a severe speech impediment. Growing up I did not talk much and was afraid to speak in front of class for the fear of stuttering and being mocked, and to now be able to speak in front of hundreds of people has truly been a blessing. I recently spoke at Platt College in Lawton, Oklahoma as their 2019 commencement speaker which was an honor and a dream come true.
My last business is We O.W.N. Math Tutoring which serves the DFW metro-plex. I provide a high level of math tutoring for kids of all ages. I have witnessed a decrease in the love and acquisition of math skills by our youth and my purpose and passion has been to help increase their academic preparation by giving them one on one teaching and skills to make them successful. I am most proud when a kid who does not like math or has always struggled at doing math has that moment when they smile, experience success, and actually begin to “get it.”
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has been somewhat good and bad, and I attribute all those experiences I go through to God, and see it as a part of my preparation for what He has for me to do in my life. I believe you can create your own luck by doing what it takes to stay ready, so when opportunities come your way you won’t have to get ready. I believe once you discover your work, your purpose and passion will lead you to where God wants you to be, and do what He has designed for you to do in your life. I believe if you are able to discover those three things in your lifetime, your work, your purpose, and your passion you are lucky and blessed beyond measure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marcowalder.com, www.weownmath.com, www.otherswillnotice.com
- Email: info@otherswillnotice.com
- Instagram: @authormarcowalder, @weownmath, @otherswillnotice
- Facebook: @DrMarcoWalder
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