My name is Donald Pollard, and I go by Don. I recently joined the team at Valiant Wealth Management as a Care Team Coordinator. I grew up in northern lower Michigan on the Pollard family homestead and farm through 6th grade. My family then moved to Petoskey, where I finished junior high school. In 1963, I pursued further education at Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College, which is now Cornerstone University. I later took additional courses in marketing at Hope College and seminars at the University of Michigan. Though many of my family members felt called to the ministry, I did not, but I have always been involved in serving Christ as a layperson.
Sales and marketing have been my calling starting in third grade, going door to door selling Christmas cards and other home products. In junior high and high school, I worked for Woolworth Co. and JC Penney. At the age of 13, I started my pursuit of independence, buying all my own clothes so I wouldn’t have to dress like my twin brother. Did I mention my mom had three sets of twin boys, as well as two singles and one daughter? All of us learned a good work ethic on the farm, whether we wanted to or not, and I’m very grateful for that now.
In the 70s, I spent 8 years in Las Vegas as a sales rep for Nabisco Food Corp. I also started a painting business there and superintended for a construction company. During a year sabbatical, I directed and toured with a music ministry of high school and college age kids from various denominations. During that time, I discovered my calling to be an encourager.
Moving back to Michigan, I met and married my wife, Phyllis, and we were blessed with our beautiful daughter, Lindsay. I also became stepdad to Duane and Greg, and am now a great-grandfather. Phyllis and I enjoyed 42 years of blessing together until Covid took her to a better place very suddenly. Now, my life is dedicated to walking through that valley with others who need a helping hand. My faith in God is more real than ever.
Around the time Phyllis and I married, I spent a couple of years as an interior decorator with Great Lakes Interiors, and then 3 years in sales and marketing for Atmosphere Processing, Inc., covering most of the U.S. and parts of Canada. Phyllis and I, along with Lindsay, went on to operate a sailboat dealership together for 25 years, until 2008. I later worked in home sales at Hidden Creek Community in Holland. I enjoyed every one of those jobs, but I’m happy to be coming out of retirement to join this great group of people at Valiant Wealth Management. As I always say, “Remember, Moses did his best work after he was 80.”
My highest priorities: Serving my Lord Jesus Christ and spending time with my kids.
My hobbies: Playing guitar and piano, singing, listening to music, hunting and fishing, biking, tai chi, University of Michigan football and basketball, and Grand Rapids Griffins hockey.