Darryl Putnam - Crafting Success, Contribution, and a Life Lived with Purpose
For Darryl Putnam, building isn’t just about creating structures; it’s about crafting a life filled with purpose, contribution, and passion. From the moment he picked up his first set of tools as a teenager, Darryl knew he was destined to be a builder. “I just love building stuff,” he reflects. But his journey took unexpected turns, navigating through college to become a CPA at the insistence of his older brothers, before finding his true calling on a construction site ten years later. “That’s when I realized, this is where I need to be,” Darryl shares, marking the beginning of a 35-year career in construction, a field where he has faced both success and humbling challenges.
Darryl’s path hasn’t always been smooth. “Life has shared ups and downs. I’ve been humbled many times, but it’s grown me into the person I am today.” It’s that journey—both the highs and the lows—that now drives Darryl to guide others toward avoiding the pitfalls he encountered along the way.
As a seasoned leader, Darryl credits his success to a collaborative spirit. “Teamwork is everything,” he says. Whether it’s respecting the vision of designers and architects or relying on the expertise of his team, Darryl emphasizes the importance of recognizing when others are better positioned to make decisions. “I lean on people who know more than I do, and that builds long-lasting relationships,” he adds. This philosophy has not only strengthened his business but has also allowed him to continuously strive for excellence.
Finding GoBundance—and Rediscovering Himself
Darryl’s discovery of GoBundance was a turning point. “This is an amazing community that I didn’t even know I needed,” he says. Initially skeptical about his place in the group, Darryl took a leap of faith after a conversation with GoBundance co-founder Tim Rhode. “I didn’t think I belonged there. I thought it was out of my reach,” he admits. But after joining, everything changed. “My love for life, my respect for myself, my family—all of it has gotten better. My business has doubled, and my contribution has 10x’d,” Darryl reveals with pride.
GoBundance has not only transformed Darryl personally but has strengthened his relationships with his wife and family. “My wife jokes that if I quit GoBundance, she’ll divorce me,” he laughs, illustrating just how impactful the community has been for his overall happiness and sense of fulfillment.
A Life of Balance—and Embracing the Chaos
Balancing business success with personal growth and family life is no easy feat, and Darryl is candid about the reality of it. “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as balance,” he says, likening life to a constantly spinning wheel. “All components are equally weighted, and you have to attend to things in real time.” For Darryl, family and business are intertwined—work calls may interrupt dinner, and personal matters may arise in the middle of a business meeting. “There’s no perfect separation, but as long as you handle things as they come, you’ll stay ahead,” he notes.
Family has always been a central pillar for Darryl. As a father of adult children, he recalls candid dinner table conversations about work, life, and struggles, a practice that has shaped his kids into well-rounded individuals. “We lived our lives openly with our children, and that’s made them stronger and more aware,” Darryl shares. “Live your life open to your family—they’ll respect you for it.”
A Leader of Leaders
As a regional leader within GoBundance, Darryl is passionate about guiding others through their own journeys. “Serving others is the second mountain,” he explains, describing the process of first achieving personal success, only to realize the deeper satisfaction that comes from helping others. “Being of service to high-level people is an amazing opportunity, and everyone here deserves it.”
For Darryl, GoBundance isn’t just about networking or business success—it’s about crafting a life of meaningful contribution. “We need to protect the culture of GoBundance, so everyone who joins benefits the way we have,” Darryl emphasizes. He believes in growing the tribe while maintaining the authenticity and vulnerability that makes GoBundance special is imperative.
Contribution at the Core
When asked which of GoBundance’s six pillars resonates most with him, Darryl doesn’t hesitate. “Contribution,” he says. “It’s the one pillar that often gets overlooked, but it’s the one that delivers the most back to your life tenfold.” Darryl’s spirituality and belief in the power of giving have shaped his leadership and life philosophy. “In the Bible, God says to test him only once, and that’s in regards to contribution. Try it—it delivers back to your life in ways you can’t imagine.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Darryl sees GoBundance growing and touching more lives in the same profound way it has touched his. “There are so many people out there, lone wolves, who just can’t express their struggles to their inner circle,” he says. For these individuals, GoBundance offers an invaluable space to build honest, open, and courageous relationships. “I want to be part of the expansion, to help more Men, and their families, experience the deep personal growth and exciting lives that GoBundance offers.”
For Darryl, the best advice to entrepreneurs and leaders is simple: “Find a big life and live it.” Whether it’s making sandcastles with your children or taking time off for great adventures, Darryl believes that a life well-lived is the key to success. “Live life big—that’s where you’ll find the most benefit.”
